Posted on 05/03/2007 4:05:06 PM PDT by Albion Wilde
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA-CHAPEL HILL, April 28, 2007 Veterans and troop supporters turned out for a troop support rally in the heart of a typically liberal/leftie campus under the Gathering of Eagles banner this past Saturday afternoon. Like most top-tier universities, UNC-CH has its generous share of Marx-spouting faculty spawned in the 60s, their anti-war sentiments misapplied to the current locus of the War on Terror, the insurgency in Iraq.
Many of the veterans who attended this GoE event in Chapel Hill had attended the original Gathering of Eagles in Washington, DC, on March 17 of this year. When several leftist/anarchist groups announced a large anti-war protest to meet at the Vietnam Wall that day, a group of veterans organized within five weeks into the Gathering of Eagles. It was not just that several of the anti-war web sites threatened to deface the Vietnam Wall or other memorials nearby (protesters had spray-painted the very steps of the U.S. Capitol Building in January, unimpeded by Capitol Police, who are under the Congressional purview of Nancy Pelosi); veterans were also galvanized by the need to expose the hard-core Socialist-Communist-Anarchist ideologies of the anti-war protest organizers, rarely mentioned in the mainstream press.
The March 17 GoE attracted some 30,000 veterans and troop supporters from all over the nation to protect their hallowed war memorials in the Nation's Capital, some making the arduous trip in snow and icy weather from as far away as California.
Other attendees at this Chapel Hill GoE had been in Greensboro, NC the previous week to counterprotest Cindy Sheehan, whose exploitation of her son's volunteer service in Iraq keenly rankles veterans.
"The Gathering of Eagles changed my life," said George Sanek, a retired Army Chief Warrant Officer and retired North Carolina police officer, harking back to the vilification and shame unjustly heaped on Vietnam-era troops by 60s anti-war protestors. "It's time for us veterans to be silent no more. The Gathering of Eagles gives me a chance to say things I haven't been able to say for 40 years. Our core message isn't the politics of the war, it's troop support. The GoE wants other veterans to join us. Come nest with the Eagles!"
At the GoE in DC, George was particularly appalled by the anti-war protesters indoctrinating children to hate the United States. "Watch this video!" he urged, pressing a slip of paper into my hand. It is a moving film about our troops, Remember Me, made by a 15-year-old girl who wants to join the Army after graduation.
Speakers and Entertainers
Campus GoE organizer Tony Stevenson emceed the program. A Navy brat, but one with with a beard, two-tone hair and an academic air, Tony is a free-thinking individual who arrived at his support for the troops through his own observations.
Speaker Jenny Stevens, President of Conservative Women's Voice at UNC-Chapel Hill, said, "Being a conservative on this campus ain't easy, but we do it," to loud applause. She alluded to the anti-war protests often subsidized on campus, and described the public service efforts of her organization, such as combating domestic violence, as well as CWV's support for Gathering of Eagles at this rally and in Greensboro the week before.
Major Ted Kaiser, another speaker, zeroed in on the lack of media support during this war, especially in contrast with the press conduct during WWII, the era of the "Greatest Generation." This generation would also be regarded as the greatest, he observed, if the agenda of the press were not so completely focused on touting failures. He spoke of the treatment of Vietnam veterans. "Many have now made it their mission to see that this generation is not vilified," he said, asking God's blessing on the Vietnam veterans present and thanking them for their service.
Another speaker and Marine veteran, R. J. Del Vecchio, asked not to be pictured, the better to continue investigating leftist rallies. He is a former combat photographer and the author of Whitewash/Blackwash: Myths of the Vietnam War, which is in its third printing. This 60-page volume is a text for high school and college students that refutes the negative misinformation campaigns promulgated against the United States military by the American left in concert with the North Vietnamese during that conflict. "Nobody who has been to war is pro-war," he said. "We need to expose the leaders of the anti-war movement. They are not grassroots citizens like the troop supporters; they are radical extremists."
Stuck Mojo's rockin' sounds brought more UNC students out to the Gathering to mingle with veterans. As lead singer/songwriter Rich Ward's web site explains, "The story begins with the signing of the Declaration of Independence... my great grandfather four times removed on my mothers side, was one of the original signers of this historic document. Each generation that followed also found one of my ancestors woven into the fabric of American history. My great grandfather graduated from and taught at West Point as would his son eventually following in his footsteps. My grandfather was appointed as military aide to then Franklin Roosevelt during World War II and was present at the Yalta Conference..." Stuck Mojo, begun in 1989, has toured in the U.S. and U.K. and has completed nine albums. Wikipedia says the band is "highly controversial due to their "somewhat politically incorrect views" such as patriotism, Southern pride and, today, a Christian motto on one of their tee shirts.
Veterans and Supporters from Miles Around
Moonbats Number Barely in the Single Digits
Where there are moonbats and their fawning lackeys in the mainstream media, you are also likely to see counterprotest activists. Just one or two Eagles, FReepers or Protest Warriors is usually all it takes to throw the lefties' smug self-assurance into a tailspin.
This festival was attended by some of the East Coast's most dedicated troop supporters, bringing creativity, ideas and commitment to the task of wresting our nation back from the bleeding left edge. Where Eagles fly, others may soon follow.
Additional links:
The prior week's Gathering of Eagles in Greensboro, NC on April 22 to counterprotest Cindy Sheehan: WakeUpAmerica blog with photos (scroll down).
Click here for free downloadable troop support poster graphics from Tamanders.com
.
Get it? ; )
You go, UNC-CH grad and proud Army wife!
One of my friends in CH thought she recognized the moonies, too she said the same thing. She also thinks she saw the woman at a weight-loss program. LOL! If moonbats would rid their minds of falsehoods, that would be twenty or thirty pounds right there!
It was good of them to respect the local custom of polite civic behavior. Many walked through, but there was no trouble except for one troubling incident in which the National Anthem was played. Everyone stood and many placed their hands over their hearts or sang along, but two student-age louts, a boy and a girl, just sat there. I heard one of the older male veterans sternly tell them, "It is customary to stand during the National Anthem."
Fantastic post, freema! Everybody, click above, and see Stuck Mojo's video about the War on Terror, on YouTube. There's also a list of other Stuck Mojo clips.
I've never seen, or heard of, anything like this song by Stuck Mojo. They actually reminded me of Kid Rock (or Visa Versa), who will be spending Christmas with the troops!
I'm pretty finicky about my music. I'm pretty finicky about lots of stuff, actually : ) And I am not a big rock n' roller, to be sure. But there is some that I love. This band is not for the feint of heart (hence, I thought of you, Dick). In fact, the lyrics to this song are offensive to some. CAIR, for instance. See THAT story here, and follow the links to Little Green Footballs. But for those who like Stuck Mojo, here are their upcoming spring dates:
Stuck Mojo 2007
May 17th Headliners 700 Gervais Street Columbia, SC Website: http://www.headlinerscolumbia.com/home.html\ Ages 16 and Up
May 18th - Amos Southend 1423 South Tryon Charlotte, NC 28203 Ph: 704-377-6874 Website: http://www.amossouthend.com/
May 19th - Zakk's 343 E. Main St Murfreesboro, NC 27855 Website: http://www.zakkscoffeehouse.com Price TBD
May 26th DVD Live Shoot / Live Show Location to be announced April 14th
March 24th 2007 @ Ricks Paradise Bar & Grill in Macon, Georgia Tickets Available http://www.myspace.com/paradisebar
April 13th 2007 @ Ground Zero 3059 Howard Street in Spartanburg, South Carolina Phone: (864) 948-1661 Click Here / Club Page Stuck Mojo, Black Acid Disco, LATE SHOW WITH The EMOTRON Tickets TBD
April 14th 2007 @ The Brewery 3009 Hillsborough Street in Raleigh, NC 27607 Phone: (919) 838-6788 Stuck Mojo Black Acid Disco, + up to two local openers TBD Tickets Available http://www.brewerync.com/
April 15th 2007 @ Front Street Music Hall ..(Formerly Marrz Theatre) 15 South Front Street in Wilmington, NC 28401 Phone: (910) 772-9045 Tickets Available http://www.thefrontstreetmusichall.com/
Who knows, I may try to catch them again, because
I ROCK!
Get it?! lol!
Thanks for the ping. Pleasure meeting both of you.
Missed the band that day, but saw the video just now. Brings back memories. This band thinks freely. I should have known it was possible, somewhere or another, in rock music.
GOE!!!
Bump!
It was great to meet you, too! Thanks for your post.
Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! Is that you?! How are you!? And you’re a Cowboy’s fan?! Let me introduce you to Dick! He’s a Cowboy’s fan, too!
I’m great...graduation is tomorrow, so I’m pretty pumped. In 24 hours from now, I’ll be making my way into Kenan Stadium for the ceremony. :-) How are you?
And yes, I’m a HUGE Cowboys fan. My big brother played high school ball with Greg Ellis (#98) and I’ve known Greg since I was really little. He’s like a brother to me.
Thanks :-) Graduation was awesome.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.