Photoblogging: The Gathering of Eagles at Walter Reed (Michelle Malkin on GOE: Free Republic )

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The Eagles joined Free Republic.com members at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center for the weekly Friday “Freep” tonight to show support for the troops. Bryan Preston and I were there to join in, meet fellow Eagles, and film the gathering for a future Hot Air special (see our video report on the first Gathering of Eagles in March here).

If you’ve never been to the Walter Reed Friday gatherings, you should really make the time to attend. Folks traveled from New York, Oregon, North Carolina, and all points between and beyond to be there. We were there between 6:45pm and 8:15pm. The rain was light The mood was red, white, and blue. The honks of support from passing traffic were long and loud. Eagles and Freepers outnumbered the Code Pinkos by more than 100 to about 12. I also had the honor of talking to one of the wounded soldiers recuperating at Walter Reed. He was a young gunner whose vehicle was hit by an IED. He spent four hours pinned under the vehicle after the bomb caused it to overturn. He was disgusted by the MoveOn.org rhetoric and passionately opposed the immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

Here’s more of what we experienced…a taste of things to come tomorrow as GOE III kicks off. Hope you’ll be there:

For anyone living in Blue State America who has had to put up with Kerry-Edwards stickers and 1-20-09 stickers and Bush Lied stickers and Peace is Patriotic lawn signs, these will be welcome sights for sore eyes:

One last shot of a cross-dressing Code Pinko wading into the crowd of Eagles:

Col. Harry Riley and Col. George “Bud” Day issue their calls to arms.

I was there! I’m still in DC.

Hooking up to the hotel internet was about as easy as the commute.

And they say the War is lasting too long!

I had the supreme pleasure of meeting the same soldier that Michelle mentions above.

I also had the distinct thrill of meeting Michelle as well. I couldn't’t help myself and gave her a great big hug! Thanked her for all her very wonderful and brave work and got a picture with her. She is so real and regular and weighs about the same as one of my legs. So tiny and yet what a powerhouse!

She spoke to me like we were old buds and told me a few things that were quite complementary to FR and freepers. The atmosphere there was so celebratory and up. There were folks from FR of course and GOE and folks who never attended such a thing before but had heard about the attempted desecration of the memorial and had to come, because they could not permit it. Young and old, black, white, Hispanic and Asian all smiling happy, proud and making a joyful noise to our honorable soldiers that they couldn't’t help but hear.

DC police and firefighters always honked loudly and a couple bleeped there sirens. Civilians did as well and often hung out their car windows to salute the crowd and yell approving sentiments.

I hope the GOE guy posts it over there. Even the ride back to the hotel was fun. I came back in a "convoy" with Concrete Bob and a few others. Also spoke today with 3DJoy, Kristinn and so many others. Tomorrow I'll be able to remember more names. People came from all over the country! It was such a positive day, it is hard to explain without being there. It was sheer joy. I met so many great folks including the founder of GOE. Tomorrow I should run into more Levinites,tomorrow. I will be trying to interview/record some folks for podcasting, but this may or may not be doable. God bless us all and Free Republic

‘Footprint of the American Chicken’ - I have GOT to have one of those.

That is indeed a great one :-)

After a superficial search, I've only found that phrase on T-shirts .....no bumper stickers (yet)

Those are here:

Life, Liberty, Etc. Pro-gun stuff for pro-gun folks

They also have a similar logo with the text "Peace through superior firepower" on mugs, mousepads and bumper stickers as well.

ALSO....

The company that advertises on Free Republic's home page (click on the Pajama Patrol badge) doesn't show it in their online catalog but they do express a willingness to do custom bumper sticker orders, FYI

"still looking" :-)

“I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1(NRSV)

Almighty and gracious God, we commend
to your care and safe keeping all the
men and women that serve in our armed forces,
as they defend our freedoms.
Protect them day by day with Your Devine grace;
encourage them when they are weak
and strengthen them in their times of trials.
When their way becomes dark, as it sometimes will,
let the LIGHT of Your presence shine brightly to
become the LIGHT unto their pathway.
Keep them safe from all hidden dangers, seen and unseen.
Keep them and their loves ones safe from all harm and deadly diseases.
Shield and shelter them under Your loving arms,
and let Your faithful promises be their armor of protection.
This we ask in the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen!

Here’s something for the troops...

Prayer of a Soldier in France
Joyce Kilmer (1886–1918)

MY shoulders ache beneath my pack
(Lie easier, Cross, upon His back).

I march with feet that burn and smart
(Tread, Holy Feet, upon my heart).

Men shout at me who may not speak
(They scourged Thy back and smote Thy cheek).

I may not lift a hand to clear
My eyes of salty drops that sear.

(Then shall my fickle soul forget
Thy Agony of Bloody Sweat?)

My rifle hand is stiff and numb
(From Thy pierced palm red rivers come).

Lord, Thou didst suffer more for me
Than all the hosts of land and sea.

So let me render back again
This millionth of Thy gift. Amen.

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