DANCIN' in the STREETS with FLAGS: GATHERING of EAGLES III at WALTER REED, FReep #126—9/14/07

DC Chapter | September 21, 2007 | by Albion Wilde, with photos by [Mrs] Trooprally

[Albion Wilde]

WASHINGTON, DC, September 14, 2007— This week, thousands of veterans, civilian supporters and military family members came to the Nation's Capital to lobby Congress to support the troop surge in Iraq, witness General Petraeus's report, or attend Saturday's Gathering of Eagles III. Many also chose to spend Friday with the DC Chapter of Free Republic cheering the wounded at Walter Reed. Some 157 patriots, representing 24 states and DC, surrounded the gates — the most ever in the 126 weeks the DC Chapter has been rallying outside Walter Reed every Friday night to counter anti-war demonstrators. By more than 10 to 1, we outnumbered the dozen or so decency-deprived moonbats who showed up down the street.

Just two of the four corners that teemed with FReepers, Eagles, Protest Warriors, Gold Star and Blue Star families, Rolling Thunder, Vietnam Vets of America and troop supporters representing dozens of other organizations. Melanie Morgan and Move America Forward's caravan came from California, gathering flags, signs and more patriots at stops across the country, as they had done last March for the first Gathering of Eagles.

We were buoyed by the presence not only of military families and Gathering of Eagles (GoE) leaders, but also by renowned journalists Melanie Morgan, who published a series of accounts on the Move America Forward (MAF) site, and Michelle Malkin, who posted a video on her news site HotAir (and also here). Ms Malkin's article mentions an early count of 109 for our side, but our Honor Roll below lists 157 — and there would have been more if it hadn't rained!

Since all the the radical leftists George Soros could afford were scheduled to show up in DC the following day for their advertised "die-in" on the Capitol lawn, you'd think a few more would have come to CodePink's weekly Walter Reed "vigil." Two obvious conclusions must be drawn: One: bad-mouthing the military while facing the disapproval of a large group of real veterans is a knee-knocking dose of reality. And Two: it's just too inherently disgusting to protest the war at a military hospital, even for Marxist die-hards. That should tell you something about the paid agitators who do persist.

The DC Chapter rules for FReeping in public prohibit violence, profanity or unlawful behavior. Ever since we chased the Pinkos away from the main gates 19 months ago, we stay clear of them unless they start something, as CodePink leaders like to do from time to time. But with so many other organizations on "our" corners for this FReep, several veterans decided on their own that they've earned the right to stand where they want on the public sidewalk outside Walter Reed, even if it meant getting into the lefties' faces:

WAAAAAAH! Lefties, always the pro-diplomacy, anti-guns, anti-military, anti-war puritans, are also always the first to call armed peace officers instead of negotiating when real patriots invade "their" space.

AWWWWWW! Lefty union agitator Bruce Wolf had to go all the way home and retrieve his group's permits before the Metro police officer would ask the flag-waving patriots to return to "our" four-corner permit area around the gates.

Most of the evening, however, focused as usual on four hours of cheering everyone who came and went from Walter Reed, answering with hoots and hollers the non-stop whistles, shouts, beeps, arm signals and airhorns of passing traffic, and dancing in the streets with flags when the bus arrived to return wounded troops to Walter Reed after dinner in town:

Look for your photo at this event,
or gaze with envy if you weren't here:

See all of [Mrs]Trooprally's excellent photos of this FReep by clicking HERE. Click on the small photos to enlarge them, making sure to see all 5 pages, or view them as a slideshow HERE.

HONOR ROLL:
If I missed your name, or mistook your information,
please accept my apologies.
FReepmail Albion Wilde to make a correction.

National GoE Leaders and Media:
Capt. Larry Bailey, Chairman, Gathering of Eagles (GoE)
Colonel Harry Riley, Chairman, EaglesUP
(with his son Brad and grandson Ryan)
Chris Hill, GoE National Director of Operations
Ernie "Smiling Hawk" Tucker, co-Chaplain, GoE; Chaplain, Military Order of the Purple Heart
Melanie Morgan, journalist, radio host; Chairman, Move America Forward
Michelle Malkin, Bryan Preston, journalists, HotAir.com
Kit Lange, GoE webmistress

Gold Star family members and Speakers for GoE rally:
Debbie Lee, Gold Star Mother
Deborah Johns, Blue Star mother
Gary Qualls Gold Star Father
Gary's sister, Angel, Gold Star Mother and Blue Star Mother
Deb May, Gold Star Wife
Laura Youngblood, Gold Star Wife

FReepers, from DC Chapter and many other states: 3-DJoy, AConservativeRealist, Albion Wilde, BillF, chcknhawk, Cindy-True-Supporter, concretebob, Danang68, Deputy Dawg, Doctor Raoul, do the dhue, EaglesUpFlorida (FL GoE & EaglesUp Coordinator), Fraxinus, GodBlessUSA, GunsAreOK, HonestConservative, Jimmy Valentine's brother, JoyJoyfromNJ, kristinn (DC Chapter co-leader), Little Bill, LUV W, mithglin, Mrs.Nooseman and Pretty Kitty (Oregon), mtngrandpa (Colorado GoE Coordinator), Olney-Keith, Pasquale, ponsdorf, PrezUSA222, Race Bannon, STUDABAKER, Taco Mamma, TennesseeNana, tgslTakoma, Tom the Redhunter, TroopRally [Mr & Mrs], Trueblackman, USMCdaughter1, VAflagwaver, VictoryNY and Yorktownpatriot.

DC area lurkers: Alicia, Andrea, Bill from MD, Mrs chcknhawk and 3 kids, Eddie, George & Ethel, Matt, Michael, Rocco, T.J. and Verity Kindle (Little Green Footballs).

PATRIOTS, BY STATE (some State groups also included persons named above):
California: Mary P (MAF) and Mike of Operation Helmet (provides helmet upgrade kits to help prevent combat brain injury).
Colorado: Freewheeler (GoE; "Support Victory" car magnets), and Susie.
Connecticut: Dinky Dawg (EaglesUp).
Florida: Denny, Ed D, Frank, R.J., Ron and Tommy (Vietnam vets).
Illinois: Don Costello (GoE, Vets for Freedom State Coordinator).
Indiana: Jim J (GoE, Indiana State Coordinator), Kurt (active duty Army) and Ron R.
Louisiana: Robert (Special Forces veteran).
Massachusetts: Paul (Iraq vet), Tony and Rich.
Nevada: Fritz
New Hampshire: (Freeper listed above)
New Jersey: Karl (Coastal NJ Protest Warrior Chapter Leader), Bob G, Carl, Carolyn, Holly, Garth, John, Tim.
New York: Deborah, Frank, Joe S, Julia, Monk (22-yr Marine vet, Lebanon – just enlisted in Army), Phil & Kathy.
North Carolina: Bubba & Donna, Chris, Daniel (Army ROTC, UNC-Charlotte), Emmit (GoE), Jamie & George Samek (GoE), Jim T, Kelly, Larry (Bubba's brother-in-law), Lori & Larry Hoffa (GoE), Mike (Vietnam vet), Tina M (Blue Star Mother), Patrick, Pete M, Ray (Vietnam vet), Soapbox (Rolling Thunder), Yack (Patriot Guard, EaglesUp) & Yack's Girl.
Oregon: (2 FReepers listed above)
Pennsylvania: Bill from Schwenksville, Bob, Squid Doe (Patriot Guard & GoE), and FReeper Olney-Keith's Mom, Dad, wife Sara & her Mom.
South Carolina: Don & Stan (Rolling Thunder, Vietnam Vets of America), George B.
Tennessee: Leta Carruth of ProgressThroughPeace foundation, providing social infrastructure to Kosovo communities.
Texas: Amanda, Joe V (Iraq vet), Ken and Street Sleeper.
Virginia: Angela, Daniel (active duty Coast Guard), Linda, Ranger Steve & Susan, and YankeeMom.
Wisconsin: 1SGWalt, Tracy.
Vermont: Kathy Upton (GoE VT State Coordinator).
West Virginia: Jack (GoE), daughters Megan &Janie.
GoE & Eagles Up, home states unknown: Chris "Airborne", Dave and Ron K.
Belize, Central America: Jim D (Vietnam vet).

Great job, Patriots!

Come back and see us again soon!
It means the world to the troops....

Photo by VAFlagWaver

Bubba's gigantic 12 x 20-foot flag couldn't be missed.
Special thanks go out to Bubba, Donna and Jim T of GoE-NC,
who brought with them many generous donations
to the wounded at Walter Reed.

• • •

Additional Links:

BufordP's Archive of all Walter Reed FReeps

Come join the Walter Reed FReep every Friday between the hours of 6:30 pm to approx 9:30 pm, at Georgia Ave and Elder Sts NW, Washington, DC. Parking on the north east corner on Elder Street, or in the church parking lot.

Directions to our Walter Reed FReep location from the Takoma Metro station

If you can't get to DC but would like to do something for the wounded,
get ideas by FReepmailing Albion Wilde, Cindy-True-Supporter, VAFlagwaver, or PleaDeal.

.

[Angelwood]

WOW!!

Thanks to all who were at Walter Reed last Friday!

FReep On!

[Little Bill]

I haven’t had so much fun since the 2004 Kerry rally and the Boot Murtha get together. I love the smell of Pastouli Oil in the morning, it means FReepin’!

[Trteamer]

AWESOME!!!
BTTT!

[Syncro]

Hay hiya Albion Wilde

Wish I could have been there, I was gonna bring Buzz (he likes cigars...) but we had other obligations that nite

GRATE report, I think you mentioned everyone...LOL

Oh and just as an aside, Deborah Johns is a Blue Star Mother, not Gold.

Missed saying hi to you this time, I'll catch you next time!

[BillF]

As Albion said in the great report, his screen name is chcknhawk
http://www.freerepublic.com/~chcknhawk/. Chickenhawk is possibly a different FReeper?

[\/\/ayne]

What a great report and a wonderful time it must have been with all those people! That is so funny about Code Pink forgetting their permit. By the time Bruce got back it must have been almost over. Must run before the bus gets back!

[weldgophardline]

I hope that many of the D.C. freepers signed our banner that we sent with our GOE rep from Colorado. We wanted a spirit of the D.C. group here with us on our freeps also when we get it back.

[Albion Wilde]

I hope that many of the D.C. freepers signed our banner that we sent with our GOE rep from Colorado. We wanted a spirit of the D.C. group here with us on our freeps also when we get it back.

That white banner and a black felt pen made the rounds. As you can see, it was a very crowded and dynamic event, with participants crossing the intersection and cars and trucks whizzing by; but I know many people there did get the chance to sign. Thank you for sending it!

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Once again your exactitude bears witness to my sloppy research. Thanks for the correction.

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

With the high humidity it was tough signing but when I signed it was filing up fast.

Thanks for raising your son right.

[trooprally]

Thanks for all the time putting together this most excellent thread, especially in getting everyone’s names.

You should receive a medal just for getting everyone's name. The medal should read “For Keeping the Notebook Paper Dry Above and Beyond A FReepers Duty”.

[Mr] T

[trooprally]

I may be biased, but I personally like this pic best. [Mrs] T spends much of her time taking pics, so it's good to see her enjoy herself.

[Mr] T

[freema]

Ping

[concretebob]

Hey Lady. Chris is Freeper Airborn, from NY

[JoyjoyfromNJ]

Thanks for all the time putting together this most excellent thread, especially in getting everyone’s names. You should receive a medal just for getting everyone's name. The medal should read “For Keeping the Notebook Paper Dry Above and Beyond A FReepers Duty”.

Now y'all know what to buy her for the DC Chapter Christmas party--waterproof notebooks; she seems to get the reporting duty on the "climatically challenged" freeps! I agree with you Mr. T--just getting all those names and groups correct was a task that took a dedicated freeper journalist! Thanks to you all for your dedication!

[debm29palms]

I am so humbled to be included in that list. It was certainly an honor to be there with everyone.

I must say that the regulars at the Walter Reed FReeps really deserve so much praise!!! It amazes me that the regular FReepers have gone so many times and no matter what the weather. You all are angels on Earth :)

[Albion Wilde]

Hey Lady. Chris is Freeper Airborn, from NY

Thank you. I missed a few people. I'm gathering them up before making a correction.

And who is that is the photo above?

[Taxman]

Great FReep! Great pics! Great report!

I sure miss living in WDC! Mrs. Taxman and I will be back, I promise, to stand with you again in the near future.

Thanks to all for what you are doing.

[concretebob]

Were it not for the shirt, I wouldn’t know...but the lady is definitely familiar.

[Mustng959]

~ HONOR ROLL:

If I missed your name, or mistook your information,
please accept my apologies.
FReepmail Albion Wilde to make a correction.

National GoE Leaders and Media:
Capt. Larry Bailey, Chairman, Gathering of Eagles (GoE)
Colonel Harry Riley, Chairman, EaglesUP
(with his son Brad and grandson Ryan)
Chris Hill, GoE National Director of Operations
Ernie “Smiling Hawk” Tucker, co-Chaplain, GoE; Chaplain, Military Order of the Purple Heart
Melanie Morgan, journalist, radio host; Chairman, Move America Forward
Michelle Malkin, Bryan Preston, journalists, HotAir.com
Kit Lange, GoE webmistress

Gold Star family members and Speakers for GoE rally:
Debbie Lee, Gold Star Mother
Deborah Johns, Blue Star mother
Gary Qualls Gold Star Father
Gary’s sister, Angel, Gold Star Mother and Blue Star Mother
Deb May, Gold Star Wife
Laura Youngblood, Gold Star Wife

FReepers, from DC Chapter and many other states: 3-DJoy, AConservativeRealist, Albion Wilde, BillF, chcknhawk, Cindy-True-Supporter, concretebob, Danang68, Deputy Dawg, Doctor Raoul, do the dhue, EaglesUpFlorida (FL GoE & EaglesUp Coordinator), Fraxinus, GodBlessUSA, GunsAreOK, HonestConservative, Jimmy Valentine’s brother, JoyJoyfromNJ, kristinn (DC Chapter co-leader), Little Bill, LUV W, mithglin, Mrs.Nooseman and Pretty Kitty (Oregon), mtngrandpa (Colorado GoE Coordinator), Olney-Keith, Pasquale, ponsdorf, PrezUSA222, Race Bannon, STUDABAKER, Taco Mamma, TennesseeNana, tgslTakoma, Tom the Redhunter, TroopRally [Mr & Mrs], Trueblackman, USMCdaughter1, VAflagwaver, VictoryNY and Yorktownpatriot.

DC area lurkers: Alicia, Andrea, Bill from MD, Mrs chcknhawk and 3 kids, Eddie, George & Ethel, Matt, Michael, Rocco, T.J. and Verity Kindle (Little Green Footballs).

PATRIOTS, BY STATE (some State groups also included persons named above):
California: Mary P (MAF) and Mike of Operation Helmet (provides helmet upgrade kits to help prevent combat brain injury).
Colorado: Freewheeler (GoE; “Support Victory” car magnets), and Susie.
Connecticut: Dinky Dawg (EaglesUp).
Florida: Denny, Ed D, Frank, R.J., Ron and Tommy (Vietnam vets).
Illinois: Don Costello (GoE, Vets for Freedom State Coordinator).
Indiana: Jim J (GoE, Indiana State Coordinator), Kurt (active duty Army) and Ron R.
Louisiana: Robert (Special Forces veteran).
Massachusetts: Paul (Iraq vet), Tony and Rich.
Nevada: Fritz
New Hampshire: (Freeper listed above)
New Jersey: Karl (Coastal NJ Protest Warrior Chapter Leader), Bob G, Carl, Carolyn, Holly, Garth, John, Tim.
New York: Deborah, Frank, Joe S, Julia, Monk (22-yr Marine vet, Lebanon – just enlisted in Army), Phil & Kathy.
North Carolina: Bubba & Donna, Chris, Daniel (Army ROTC, UNC-Charlotte), Emmit (GoE), Jamie & George Samek (GoE), Jim T, Kelly, Larry (Bubba’s brother-in-law), Lori & Larry Hoffa (GoE), Mike (Vietnam vet), Tina M (Blue Star Mother), Patrick, Pete M, Ray (Vietnam vet), Soapbox (Rolling Thunder), Yack (Patriot Guard, EaglesUp) & Yack’s Girl.
Oregon: (2 FReepers listed above)
Pennsylvania: Bill from Schwenksville, Bob, Squid Doe (Patriot Guard & GoE), and FReeper Olney-Keith’s Mom, Dad, wife Sara & her Mom.
South Carolina: Don & Stan (Rolling Thunder, Vietnam Vets of America), George B.
Tennessee: Leta Carruth of ProgressThroughPeace foundation, providing social infrastructure to Kosovo communities.
Texas: Amanda, Joe V (Iraq vet), Ken and Street Sleeper.
Virginia: Angela, Daniel (active duty Coast Guard), Linda, Ranger Steve & Susan, and YankeeMom.
Wisconsin: 1SGWalt, Tracy.
Vermont: Kathy Upton (GoE VT State Coordinator).
West Virginia: Jack (GoE), daughters Megan &Janie.
GoE & Eagles Up, home states unknown: Chris “Airborne”, Dave and Ron K.
Belize, Central America: Jim D (Vietnam vet). ~

Well I did make it Saturday to the rally and “circus parade” but was driving all night Friday night and missed the fun at Walter Reed ... maybe next time. Glad to see y’all had a great turn-out for our wounded, they deserve all the support that we can muster!