MIA/POW Rally in San Marcos, Tx for PVT Byron W. Fouty and SPC Alex R. Jimenez

9/22/07 | the Bat Lady

[The Bat Lady]

Dear Freepers, I wanted to share an After Action Report on the MIA/POW rally held in San Marcos for Pvt. Byron W. Fouty and the young man who went missing with him SPC Alex R Jimenez. This was on MIA/POW National Day.

When I talked to the Mayor, I told her I had lots of pro-troops signs and that I was with FreeRepublic.com, which she did not recognize but offered me a booth. OK. I set up the signs saying Thank you Soldier, sailor, airman, Coast Guard and God Bless Marines.

I had 2 signs from other freeps for individual warriors. Cpl Gill from Round Rock who gave his life in Iraq. And a sign for MIA SSG Matt Maupin.

I set up the table with Byron's sign and someone was handing out yellow ribbons so I put that on the table. I do have pictures.

[The Bat Lady]

I put out something about FR _ sheet that said this:

FreeRepublic.com has been SUPPORTING THE TROOPS in many ways across the USA for years.

The Heart of Texas H.O.T. Chapter (Austin & surrounding area) of FreeRepublic.com has been having pro-troop rallies at the Austin Capital when there were only 6 of us right after the Afghanistan war started.

The D.C. Chapter of FreeRepublic.com has been standing between injured troops at Walter Reed Hospital and Code Pink for 125 weeks on all 4 corners right by the entrance gate. It has been longer but at the beginning Code Pink was at the entrance until FreeRepublic.com got the permits for the closer spots. The wounded troops really appreciate troop supporters being there for them after they have given up so much for us.

You can read After Action Reports of these “Freeps” on FreeRepublic.com We prefer to stand FOR ideas and principles than just be against things.

Most of all FreeRepublic.com is a place to get informed about things the media won't tell you. It also is a place to learn from millions of regular Americans commenting on the news stories.

The Bat Lady on FreeRepublic.com

The City of San Marcos, Mayor Susan Narvaiz, the Blue Star Mothers and the PatriotGuard did a lot of work to make a very nice rally. There was a big stage and they set out hay bales for the audience to sit on (covered with serapes and blankets)

The City Wide Worship Band played before everything started and as soon as it started (with a prayer) we left the table and went to sit on the hay bales.

The Blue Star Moms of the Central Texas area spoke and one was the daughter of a MIA from Vietnam. He went missing when she was 2 years old. She told us of the 5 MIA of this war, including Maulpin. The Star Spangled Banner was sung by a very young girl, Chris Williams, with the most powerful voice. There were speakers and then a friend of mine, Debbie Daniel sang her song, “It's Always been the soldier” then she had the military remain seated and everyone else who wished to, walk around and shake their hands and say thanks. It was very nice.

Then the Heart of Texas Chorus sang several songs. They were all dressed in Texas shirts.

Someone played “TAPS” and it was over.

But it is very refreshing to have lots of people come out to support the troops.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Thank You!

[Col Freeper]

Great report. Kinda made me feel like I was there with you.

Please post your pictures when you can.

Sounds like there are a lot of good, caring folks in your area.

[The Bat Lady]

Here is the booth I set up
http://www.freedomnotions.com/STFOLDER/27.jpg

The signs say:
Thank you Soldier, Thank you Sailor, Thank you Airman, Thank you Coast Guard, God Bless Marines.

At the front was a sign with FR addy, 2 signs in the back were for individual men. God Bless them.

Here is the whole thing:
http://www.freedomnotions.com/STFOLDER/3.jpg
Notice the flags - The American Flag and the Support the troops that have the seal for each branch.

[vietvet67]

Thanks for all you do..

[Brad’s Gramma]

VERY nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[debm29palms]

That looks awesome!!

God bless you for going and representing us!!

[FryingPan101]

How wonderful of you. Our daughter graduated from SWTSU in 1988 but we haven’t been back since.

We hung our POW flag. In our neighborhood, we were the only ones.

[FryingPan101]

How wonderful of you. Our daughter graduated from SWTSU in 1988 but we haven’t been back since.

We hung our POW flag. In our neighborhood, we were the only ones.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Pvt Byron W. Fouty
SPC Alex R Jimenez
Cpl Gill
MIA SSG Matt Maupin.

[trooprally]

Thanks for making us at FR proud of your dedication. Looks like there was a good turn out from the cars.

[Mr] T

[trooprally]

ping

[Mr] T

[The Bat Lady]

That was beautiful Kathy. THanks I am going to try to get the thread addy to the participants.

I’m going to try this inserting a picture so bear with me

Here is what the STAGE looked like:
[url]http://www.freedomnotions.com/STFOLDER/5.jpg[/url]

[url]http://www.freedomnotions.com/STFOLDER/25.jpg[/url]
With the Patriot Guard posting colors.

[The Bat Lady]

OK well that answers that, anyway you can see pictures here and it will save FR bandwidth.

The FREEPER Table
http://www.freedomnotions.com/STFOLDER/2.jpg
6pm, hot bright sun.
http://www.freedomnotions.com/STFOLDER/26.jpg
Evening shows up the signs better. Hint pack a clothesline and pins to hang signs under a tent.

http://www.freedomnotions.com/STFOLDER/28.jpg
Honoring the San Marcos MIA Pvt. Bryon W. Fouty

http://www.freedomnotions.com/STFOLDER/27.jpg
Notice how big to make words so they show from a long ways away.

The Early CROWD:
http://www.freedomnotions.com/STFOLDER/6.jpg

http://www.freedomnotions.com/STFOLDER/8.jpg

http://www.freedomnotions.com/STFOLDER/11.jpg
Militry in the front row when it started.

http://www.freedomnotions.com/STFOLDER/13.jpg
I didn’t bring a Marine flag and was glad to see this Marine Dad
He is there to support his son, his son’s buddies and the marines. Good enough!

Later when it broke up, beautiful weather for a rally and a wonderful way to spend the evening.
http://www.freedomnotions.com/STFOLDER/29.jpg

THE PATRIOT GUARD:
http://www.freedomnotions.com/STFOLDER/14.jpg
The rode their bikes thru the crowd and parked.

http://www.freedomnotions.com/STFOLDER/15.jpg
http://www.freedomnotions.com/STFOLDER/16.jpg

http://www.freedomnotions.com/STFOLDER/21.jpg
Then they lined up in 2 rows each with an American Flag and went to the stage and lined each side of the crowd. It was as impressive as their mission:

Gotta love these guys - I have for a long time.
http://www.patriotguard.org/

__________________
And then there is the TABLE. I wish I had all the particulars, anyone have that?
http://www.freedomnotions.com/STFOLDER/23.jpg
http://www.freedomnotions.com/STFOLDER/24.jpg

[Kathy in Alaska]

Check your FReepmail

The links will work without the [url] on the front and back. To have them post, use

< img src="http://www.freedomnotions.com/STFOLDER/5.jpg"> and taking out the space after the <

Great pictures!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Missing Man Table and Honors Ceremony...click here

[Kathy in Alaska]

Check this out......PGR was there too! Some really great pictures!!

[stephenjohnbanker]

B U M P

[Jet Jaguar]

BTTT!

[Jet Jaguar]

BTTT!