Blue Star Dad Organizes West Coast Motorcycle Run to Show Support for the Haditha Marines

Defend Our Marines ^ | June 9, 2007 | Don Dinsmore

[RedRover]

A motorcycle ride is being organized to start on June 23rd at Seattle, Washington and finish on June 28th at the Main Gate of Camp Pendleton, Oceanside California.

The main compliment of riders will be veterans of all branches of our military who are fed up with the way the Marine Corps and the political community are treating the Marines, mainly the men of Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, the “Thundering Third.”

These Marines fought in Haditha and returned home the champions that they are, only to find themselves indicted on charges from murder to cover-up.

These charges have stemmed from an incorrect article in Time magazine, as well as some politicians who seem to have jumped to conclusions without stopping to get facts.

The facts were brought forth by men, such as a Bronze Star winning Intelligence Officer who viewed the whole incident by unmanned camera aircraft and accumulated log books and reams of data that exonerates all the Marines of K/3/1. This evidence seems to be pushed aside by the politically motivated opportunists.

The question now arises for the parents and family of military individuals on deployment in Iraq...

• “Does my son or daughter or husband or wife have to get shot before they can legally defend themselves?”
• “How do they distinguish between an insurgent or an Iraqi citizen being used as a shield by an insurgent.”
• “Could my son go to prison for five years and be dishonorably discharged from the military that he loves because he fought for his country?”
• “Will the facts be pushed aside and incorrect reporting believed to the detriment of our war heroes, our family members and friends who have sacrificed all for our freedom?”

That is politically incorrect!

The veterans of the past and family of current military are not going to stand for it.

On Saturday morning, June 23, 2007 at 8AM veterans from the Northwest will meet at the South Center Mall in Tukwila, Washington, and prepare to depart at 9AM for destination Main Gate, Camp Pendleton.

We plan to arrive sometime Thursday, June 28th.

We don’t intend to block traffic of cause any discomfort whatsoever to other Americans. We fought for their rights, too and we intend to make their day, not wreck their day.

At this late date it is realized that some who would want to go, but can’t, may want to ride a short distance to show they’re support. Our colors will be Old Glory, the Stars and Strips will fly from the back of each motorcycle.

Some of the riding veterans will carry a container for donations to be given to the Defense Fund upon arrival at Camp Pendleton.

This ride is open to every American who wants to support our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Those who don’t have motorcycles or can’t ride will want to go to the overpasses near their homes and wave flags as the motorcycles travel down Interstate 5.

Normal regrouping locations will be the numerous Rest Stops along the way. We will ride daylight hours only, because our intentions are visibility to American Citizens, so that we may all show support together.

Veterans and military family members from other parts of the country who want to participate may want to meet the ride at some location on Interstate 5 that is more convenient to their location. This ride is spontaneous and is designed to meet every American’s desire to show support to our military heroes.

We want “No Man Left Behind.”

This thread will be updated with itinerary and progress reports so you can join the ride as it passes through your community or just give them your support!

For ride information, contact Don Dinsmore at ddingo630@aol.com, and view DonDinsmore.com.

[freema]

It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s gotta do it. Ain’t got no Marines around tonight, though, just the regular crew.

Speaking of...it’s lights out and I’m gonna pay for it tomorrow! I better hit the hat. I mean, hay. Sleep tight, lily. Sweet dreams ; )

[lilycicero]

Sweet dreams to you.

[Blue Ribbon Mom]

I am talking to Don now and he is 70 miles north of Bakersfield at an RV park. He said they must have done some fertilizing of the fields and on the bike the smell is horrible. Has his tent up and is getting ready to hit the hay. He is sitting at a picnic table, drinking water and eating a sandwich. Things are going great he is meeting with a couple in Bakersfield tomorrow. Sounds very tired. Oh, now he says he is sitting next to a pool and plans on taking a swim after he sends some pictures to Redrover and enters a report.

[lilycicero]

Looking fwd to Red’s report and photo posts in the AM!

[RedRover]

"Support the Haditha Marines"
Ride & Rally
No Man Left Behind!
Report from Tuesday, June 26

Don writes...

I spent time with Mike Anderson today at his Dealership south of Stockton, California.

It was truly a treat and a privilege to meet such a humble Dad. I can not imagine his position. If any of you get the opportunity to shake his gracious hand, believe me it is worth the travel to do so. If any know me, they know that I don't say nice things unless I mean them. I am anything but a politician. Mike put the frosting on the trip.

Below are The Weasels of California. They maintain that they are a drinking club that likes to ride motorcycles, not a motorcycle club. There were more, but had tire and riding trouble. Mike Anderson is on the far left and Rick Ted is just to the left, behind me. They all were great and that leg of the ride was very entertaining and hospitable. The Weasels contributed a big bundle of money and presented it to me at Mike's dealership.

Rick fed me steaks on the barbaque and treated me like one of the family. They all took the day off of work to ride for " No Man Left Behind."

[RedRover]

Where's Don Now?

He's waking up this fine Wednesday morning, somewhere in well-fertilized fields, 70 miles north of Bakersfield (lower right hand corner)...

[napscoordinator]

Everyone knows and is nauseated by Paris Hilton in jail, but has no idea the Marines are charged and in jail. There response has been, “I didn’t know, tell me about it.”

Are the Marines in Jail already? I would have thought that they would be out until the trials are over. Am I wrong? Is this worse than even me as a FREEPER knew and I have read numerous threads on here and did not realize that they were in jail right now. Please advise. Thank you.

[EverOnward]

blue star mom bump

[RedRover]

Don's main focus is on the 3/1 (Haditha) Marines but he's also talking about the 3/5 (Hamdania) Marines.

All of the accused in the Hamdania case were incarcerated before their hearings. Currently, the three remaining Hamdania defendents (Cpl. Marshall Magincalda, Cpl. Trent Thomas, and Sgt. Lawrence Hutchins) are spending their thirteenth month in the brig before their court martials.

This has outraged many Marines who believe it is unduly harsh for men awaiting their day in court. The last Hamdania Marine to be sentenced, LCpl. Ron Pennington, was given a slightly reduced sentence because the judge acknowledged he had been held under unnecessarily strict conditions. (See this thread: Pennington gets 8 years in Hamdania killing.)

The Haditha Marines have been treated much more rationally and have not, to date, served any time in the brig.

From information provided by his son (Capt Jeff Dinsmore, intel officer, 3/1), Don knows that the Haditha Marines are charged for doing their jobs that morning in Iraq.

[RedRover]

Thanks for the blue star bump! And thank you for your young’un’s service!

[lilycicero]

The Weasels of California: are a drinking club that likes to ride motorcycles, not a motorcycle club.

That's a new one! Maybe you can start a NY chapter? Cheers to the Weasels.

[RedRover]

Mornin’, lil! They sound like a bunch of great guys.

[Girlene]

Great pictures and updates from Don again, Red. “The Weasels of California”, LOL. Sounds like a great group of guys supporting the Haditha Marines and some good riding companions for Don.

Tomorrow’s the big day: rolling into Camp Pendleton. I hope there is a good turnout. Did I read North County Times will be reporting on the rally?

[RedRover]

Yes, Mark Walker told Don he’d be there—with a photographer.

So tell all your Girlene friends in Southern California to come tomorrow and get themselves in the paper!

[Girlene]

So tell all your Girlene friends in Southern California to come tomorrow and get themselves in the paper!

LOL. Will do. That will be a short call list. I wish he could get some TV coverage, as well.

I noticed on the Conservative Thoughts site that there was another comment from Iraq. For some reason I couldn't pull up the whole comment list, but I got the gist. Great stuff.

[RedRover]

Feel free to e-mail the San Diego media and suggest it! (BTW, do you know if Roger Hedgecock is still subbing for Rush this week? Maybe he could make it.)

[Girlene]

Nope, I think the big guy, Rush, is in all week. Roger Hedgecock does have his own radio show, 600 KOGO, from 3 to 6 pm, I think out of San Diego. It may be too late at this point for Don to try to get a radio interview with Roger, but it would be more great PR. http://www.rogerhedgecock.com/main.html

[RedRover]

On the phone with Don (he's ridden 300 miles in 100 heat!).

He's hooking up today with an American Legion motorcycle group in Bakersfield. Details later!

[RedRover]

Just checked the stats for this thread. It has had 2,969 views to date!

[freema]

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