Ralliers in D.C. Work To Build Counterweight To Antiwar Movement

Chanting such slogans as "surrender is not an option" and waving American flags, a few hundred people from across the country rallied and paraded in downtown Washington yesterday to support the war.

As a member of Eagles Up and a participant in the activities last Friday and Saturday, I can only tell you that those who made the remarks in the Post are without a doubt brain dead and ignorant of the harsh realities of the GWOT and dammit it is “GWOT” and NOT “WOT”. For some reason these people still believe that if we “engage” our enemies in “dialog” that we will have peace.

I retired from the US Army on 1 Feb 2008 after 25 years of service and was lucky enough to become associated with Eagles Up, becoming their Midwest Regional Coordinator. I was blessed to be given a portion of the speakers podium on Saturday with Melanie Morgan, Debbie Lee, and Ron Winter. Since I have always been a professional soldier and not a professional speaker, I could only speak from my heart. The response from my brother and sister patriots sustained me through my bit and I was even more buoyed during the “Patriot's March” after the speeches. It was an emotional catharsis for me, especially when a school bus of touring teen agers from California had their bus driver stop the bus so that they could march with us. When several people standing on the sidewalks decided to join us in our March, even the blank stares from the gawkers, obviously of the Liberal persuasion, stared blankly at us as we passed, was obviated.

God Bless America, our people and our warriors.

THOMAS E. HELSEL
LTC, AUS Ret.
Midwest Regional Coordinator - Eagles Up

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