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WALTER REED: EASTER MONDAY SPECIAL REPORT, Week 150—Feb 29, 2008
DC Chapter | Albion Wilde, with photos by PleaDeal

Posted on 03/24/2008 12:26:16 PM PDT by Albion Wilde

Washington, DC, Feb. 29, 2008—This after-action report is for a FReep at Walter Reed that took place in the pre-Easter season of Lent, a time when Christian believers are encouraged to make a personal sacrifice. It will also tell a few stories about what some believers are doing for and with the troops.


A new sign at the Walter Reed FReep with a timeless message from the heart of why believers in our Constitution defend our republic — that a nation "under God" is one in which freedom is regarded as a natural birthright, not a favor granted by the state.

Recognition of "nature and nature's God" has been a matter of dispute in this nation since its founding. Christians disputed with deists in the wording of the Constitution, and the Western values on which our legal system was based. Religious values played a large role in the abolition of slavery and the Civil War, and later in the Civil Rights struggles, correcting what even the Founders regarded as a severe ideological compromise reluctantly enabled to expedite the founding of the nation. International socialist attempts at world domination begun in the latter part of the 19th century. Yet socialism and its cousin, communism, have failed to produce comparably abundant societies, in which submission to a benevolent God, rather than the highly regulated state, gives many Americans the heart to fight for freedom.


A female soldier waits for a cab near the gates. She is gazing down the street with pity at the silly old hippie war protestors.


The silly old hippie "kommie kabal"—same handful of old faces (Bruce Wolf is "leftmost", Perry the failed folk musician is second from right); no new recruits in over two years. Even DC's abundance of leftists apparently think it's just disgusting to picket the wounded. In spite of their Union-sponsored web pleadings, nobody joins them.

Blithely disregarding the colossal failures of socialism and communism everywhere they have been tried, lefties continue to point to any possible drawback to the struggle for freedom to plead their case for absolute control of mankind by secular governments. Now the free world is engaged with another totalitarian ideology that seeks global domination, radical Islam, the extremes of which many regard as a political movement hiding behind a religion.

Meantime, Americans are bending over backwards to avoid religious overtones to the discussion, because tolerance and freedom of conscience are two of our system's hallmarks. So much so that individual U.S. military chaplains are under strict guidelines about when and how they may acknowledge the lord of their belief system, and are engaged in attempts within their corps to define their roles with great care.

It's not hard to imagine that, whether going into battle or recovering from a wound or having witnessed the deaths of buddies in combat, many soldiers want and need pastoral care. As our culture changes from one that sprang from the Jewish and Christian spiritual traditions to one that tolerates an increased population from other traditions, many troop supporters are concerned to help soldiers who may want spiritual support. Several of us who visit the Walter Reed or Bethesda Naval Hospitals have met soldiers from all areas of the United States and from many faith traditions, including Islam. Inspired by their individual faith traditions or personal codes of ethics, believers and non-believers alike are reaching out to the wounded in a variety of ways.

Several FReepers have been engaged in praying actively for Walter Reed. A prayer thread led by Californian eaglesnest1 is dedicated to keeping Walter Reed — and the activities of FReepers, Gathering of Eagles, EaglesUp and other troop supporters across the nation — before God.

It would be difficult to overestimate the volunteer work performed by a number of FReepers from the DC Chapter, who shall remain nameless here. From raising cash or bulk donations to exploring how to fill gaps in the military care systems in place at Walter Reed, FReepers have provided cash and goods, collected donations from their churches or communities, and have made alliances with other troop-support groups so that donations can be funneled to the best uses.



Left to right: Satin_Patriot, VictoryNY, Cindy-True-Supporter


Others of our DC Chapter FReepers have been actively seeking to help soldiers with PTSD. From providing a local contact person to keeping in regular touch by phone or email to driving soldiers on outings or hosting soldiers at local events or dinners out, FReepers are there with an ear or a shoulder. Several weeks ago, two Walter Reed patients wore their uniforms to a DC-area campus to attend a play, courtesy of tickets provided by a FReeper. One had been back from Iraq for two years, and the other for five or six months, but this was the first time these troops had worn the uniform out in public. With the support of the FReeper and her friends, they were able to do so without interference from anti-war sentiment on campus.

Our culture may be attempting to accommodate more persons whose beliefs do not square with traditional Western understandings (and it remains to be seen whether a culture can survive without a strong core of values, as we observe Europe's threatened cultural collapse); but religious understandings from the Western traditions run deep in our society. One non-FR group that is very helpful to the troops, and especially the wounded, carries a name that originated in religious tradition, but is now readily understood as just a benevolent part of our culture: Soldier's Angels. This multi-faceted donation and service group also maintains a Chaplain Support Team.

And for anyone who is interested in what a single Marine who lost his legs in Vietnam has been willing to do as a testimony of his faith, check out the story of Eugene Starks Roberts Sr., who is Running Across America for Jesus. Mr. Roberts is due to arrive in the DC and Baltimore areas in the coming weeks, culminating his run across the country on prosthetic legs. News of his run may serve as an inspiration to other troops who have lost limbs and have undergone prosthetic therapy at Walter Reed.

Honor Roll for this FReep:
FReepers: Albion Wilde, Angelwood, BufordP, Cindy-True-Supporter, Jimmy Valentine's Brother, PleaDeal, RonGKirby, Satin_Patriot, Tom the Redhunter, Trooprally [Mr & Mrs], VictoryNY. Lurkers: Bill from MD and Steve, a civilian employee at WRAMC.


You've seen the back of Albion Wilde.
I'm now departing the DC Chapter's street FReeping in order to support the troops in other ways.
It has been my privilege to be a pingmeister to so many of you across the country for the past couple of years.
Keep up the good work, FReepers, Eagles, and military family!
—Albion Wilde


• • •


Links:

Join us for the Walter Reed FReep 3rd anniversary,
March 28, 2008, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm, Georgia Ave and Elder St NW.


If you would like to do something for the wounded but can't get to DC, FReepmail Tom the Redhunter.


BufordP's Archive of past Walter Reed Freeps.


.


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Culture/Society; US: Maryland
KEYWORDS: aar; dcchapter; walterreed

1 posted on 03/24/2008 12:26:18 PM PDT by Albion Wilde
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To: Albion Wilde

You’ve been an inspiration to us all. May God bless you and always be with you in your future endeavors. Thank you.


2 posted on 03/24/2008 12:46:17 PM PDT by FrogHawk (watchforlowflyingfrogs)
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To: Albion Wilde

Thank you for all the things you and the others do. The D.C. group ROCKS!!


3 posted on 03/24/2008 2:18:37 PM PDT by weldgophardline (Proud father of a U.S. Marine due home from second tour soon.)
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To: Albion Wilde

I guess the sign turned out OK. Thanks for the report and all your efforts on behalf of our young men and women.


4 posted on 03/24/2008 2:52:07 PM PDT by Jimmy Valentine's brother (Democrat, a synonym for Traitor)
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To: 1 Olgoat; 103198; 10Ring; 11Bush; 1stbn27; 2ndClassCitizen; 2SterlingConservatives; 2yearlurker; ...

ATTENTION! ATTENTION!

Another GEM from Abion Wilde

ATTENTION!


5 posted on 03/24/2008 2:53:53 PM PDT by Jimmy Valentine's brother (Democrat, a synonym for Traitor)
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To: Jimmy Valentine's brother

Thanks for the ping.

How did the time stamp for Post 3 come after Posts 1 & 2?

[Mr] T


6 posted on 03/24/2008 2:56:46 PM PDT by trooprally (Never Give Up - Never Give In - Remember Our Troops)
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To: Albion Wilde
"Endowed by our Creator. Protected by our heroes."

Beautiful!

7 posted on 03/24/2008 2:57:44 PM PDT by EternalVigilance ("I am sure that Senator Clinton would make a good president." - John McCain)
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To: Albion Wilde

absolutely wonderful report/pix/mission dear FRiend. Thank you for BEING YOU!


8 posted on 03/24/2008 3:30:22 PM PDT by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
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To: Albion Wilde
Great work as always.
Look forward to seeing you all soon!
9 posted on 03/24/2008 3:32:16 PM PDT by zoomie81 ( God Bless Our Military)
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To: Albion Wilde

Thank you for the report on another successful night at WRAMC.

I hope you find other satisfying ways to support the troops, as I do, when I am away from the area for so many months.

I hope we can meet this summer to say hello.


10 posted on 03/24/2008 4:53:28 PM PDT by 3D-JOY
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To: Albion Wilde

Thanks for all your fantastic work, FReeping and banners, Albion and I hope that one day you will return. Say hello to George Washington for me!


11 posted on 03/24/2008 5:23:20 PM PDT by \/\/ayne (I regret that I have but one subscription cancellation notice to give to my local newspaper.)
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To: Albion Wilde

Oh no. I hate goodbyes. Thank you for all that you have done. May God expand your ministry to the troops in ways you cannot imagine. God be with you.


12 posted on 03/24/2008 5:30:18 PM PDT by WVNan
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To: Jimmy Valentine's brother; Albion Wilde

Thanks for the ping. GREAT post.


13 posted on 03/24/2008 5:41:53 PM PDT by The Spirit Of Allegiance (Public Employees: Honor Your Oaths! Defend the Constitution from Enemies--Foreign and Domestic!)
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To: Albion Wilde

Thanks for a great after-action report on Walter Reed. Good luck and best wishes.

FReep On!


14 posted on 03/24/2008 7:49:43 PM PDT by Angelwood (FReepers are Everywhere! We Support Our Troops! (Hillary's Vast Rt Wg Conspiracy))
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To: Albion Wilde

I am still waiting for the video of the pinkos getting ticketed from two weeks ago.


15 posted on 03/25/2008 8:18:01 AM PDT by Sensei Ern (http://www.myspace.com/reconcomedy)
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To: Albion Wilde

Wonderful AAR and pictures! That new sign is awesome.
God bless you and thank you for all that you have done at Walter Reed with those faithful and dedicated DC Chapter FReepers. Wishing you the best of luck in your future, whichever way you decide to support the troops.


16 posted on 03/25/2008 9:29:35 AM PDT by RockerMom2MyHero (Fight the Good Fight - Keep the Spirit alive!)
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To: Jimmy Valentine's brother

BTTT !


17 posted on 03/25/2008 8:42:19 PM PDT by tgslTakoma
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To: FrogHawk; weldgophardline; Jimmy Valentine's brother; EternalVigilance; DollyCali; zoomie81; ...
Thanks for your bumps and well-wishes, folks! Onward and upward!


Always in our hearts...

18 posted on 03/27/2008 11:08:03 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (The best argument against democracy is a 5-minute conversation with the average voter.—WChurchill)
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