Posted on 06/03/2008 5:38:02 PM PDT by Tom the Redhunter
There's no such thing as an "average" Friday evening at the main entrance of Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Sometimes it's the weather; freezing cold, hot and humid, or thunderstorms. Other times we get to meet FReepers from all around the country who are in town for the week, or some who even come in specifically to join us. Troops from every type of unit, and who have served in every theater come by and speak with us. Family members, some Gold Star parents, join us occasionally.
This night was no different in that it was different.
The first order of business, as usual, was to set up our signs and banners
Honor Roll of Attendees Tom the Redhunter, N.E. Patriot Fan , RonG, "Big John" Miska, Cindy-True-Supporter, Victory NY, Mr & Mrs Trooprally, Lurker Bill, Mr & Mrs DaNang68, Fraxinus, VAFlagWaver, Pasquale, Satin Patriot, and a special guest appearance by Albert Carey Caswell, the unofficial "poet laureate" of the United States Congress.
"Poet laureate" you ask? That's right! "Burt", as he is known, is a tour guide on Capitol Hill by day. He spends many of his off hours writing poetry, much of it in honor of specific soldiers, sailors, airmen or Marines who have fallen in the line of duty. They are read into the official Congressional Record by the congressman in whose district the soldier was from. Here's a story about him posted on The Politico you can check out for more background.
Burt, always the energetic fellow, went from corner to corner handing out his latest poems. All the while he would look down the street at the Pinkos and shout
CODE STINK! YOU STINK!
Heh heh. They deserve it.
Here he is letting them have it
One of the poems Caswell gave us that night was I Will!, which is in honor of Tech. Sergeant William Jefferson Jr, "A True American Hero", of the United States Air Force. Tech. Sergeant Jefferson died from injuries caused by an IED on march 22, 2008. It was read into the Congressional Record by Congresswoman Thelma D. Drake.
I Will!by Albert Cary Caswell
I Will fight, and I will bleed! All so my Country, may live in peace! And I will lead! All for God, and Country Tis of Thee! And, I Will give up... My wonderful wife, and watch her grieve! And never again, My sweet little child Tyler so see! As all of this world, i so leave! And not ask why, so indeed! But, for The Greater Good... All of this, I so would! I may die! I may bleed! All so we can be free! As I so look up to the Heavens above... And ask The lord in his love, to watch over my family! For I Will! dedicate my entire life to three... As I will! in the darkest nights of war, so be... Strong, and full of courage... Me! All for my Country 'Tis of Thee... All for my Brothers and Sisters in arms... I Will, forever fogith on continually! As i Will, carr that charge... All with, what's inside of me! As I Will! Gave, into That Face of Death! And give up, all that I have so left... All so to insure! That my children... Shall not ever have to go off to war! As I Will, so stand for peace... As i Will, hear our Lord's Call Sign... calling me! As an Angel in The Army of Our Lord, I Will Be! And give up all, that I so love and need! All For What I Believe! I Will!
This is not the first time Caswell has joined us, just the first time I've written about him. I've heard many of his poems, and he's given me a few. I think what I'll do is post one everytime I write one of these AARs.
We were also joined by one of our wounded warriors, whom I'll call "Paul" since I didn't get permission to use his real name. Paul was wounded in 2003 and is still undergoing rehabilitation for his injuries. Here he is talking to some of the FReepers
I spoke with him for some time, and he told me about his rehabilitation and those of his comrades in his unit. PTSD, flashbacks, and violent nightmares were still a struggle. He spoke highly of the medical professionals at Walter Reed, and how his therapist patiently worked with him to help him overcome his challenges. His one complaint was about the bureaucracy, or one particular office with which he had been having difficulties (I've heard this a hundred times. They love the medical care but the bureaucracy gets them. National health care, anyone?)
But despite all this not only has he maintained a positive attitude, but he is on track to become a motivational speaker. His goal is to help other wounded warriors, and I'm sure he'll do well.
As with all of the other troops we've met, he had no kind words for Code Pink. RonG took him down to the Pinkos so he could get a closer look and check out their reaction
And what do you think the Pinkos did? They did the same thing they always do when a trooper goes down there - they ignored him.
This despite all of their "More Money for Health Care" signs. Ha.
Here they are, the troops and their families, coming back from a night out;
God bless them, for we owe them so much.
Please also FReepmail them or any of us if you would like to join us at Walter Reed and would like additional information about parking, directions, what to bring, etc.
Come join us every Friday night between the hours of 6:30pm to approx 9:30pm.
Directions to our Walter Reed freep location from the Takoma Metro station
* You can find all of Mrs. Trooprally's photos for this Freep on her Photobucket site.
* Thank you to BufordP for maintaining the BIG LIST of all Walter Reed FReeps.
* Thank you to all FReepers who transport and store our many signs and banners every week.
* Tom the Redhunter blogs at The Redhunter
* Plea Deal blogs at Sempter Gratis
Ping DC Chapter!
Thanks, Tom....
Great pics, as always!
Thanks for the report Tom.
It is nice to see the gang all still there.
Having the troops come out to visit is so nice to read about, but being there is better...see you soon.
Great report and pictures, Tom!
“Paul” had been thru a lot over the years with his rehab but as you said, he’s a very positive soldier.
He even brought us out some juice drinks for our cooler last Friday. While we receive a lot of Thanks from the troops, we’re not used to receiving “things” from the troops.
Looking forward to reading some of Burt’s poems.
And it was a treat to have WR, Olney and Westminster’s AARs all out in a timely manner.
[Mr] T
Great report and pictures. Enjoyed the Poetry for the Troops by Burt. Look forward to more of his poems in your AAR’s.
God Bless “Paul” and all our brave soldiers. You’re right, we owe them so much. You guys are doing your part by showing your support for them every Friday night. Thanks All!
Right on. I also applaud the timely arrival of the AARs. They are the first thing I look for toward the middle of the week. Thanks to all of you. The pics from Westminster had some pretty nice looking “legs” this week, T. :o)
Another great FReep onto the books! Fantastic job as always!
Recently, I had to explain that the reason I’m out there every Friday in Studio City, CA is not for the media. We don’t get any coverage. I’m out there for the troops and their family members. It is especially meaningful when someone comes by and tells me how much it means for us to be there. I also, know that the Arab street is watching, and that the Lefties can’t be the only presence they see. We will not stand down!
Sensei Ern is inviting all FReepers to his his next, or No. 7, Comedy Act at the Molonge House, Walter Read . If you can make it, great. If not, you'll have to wait for his AAR to read about it.
It will be this Tuesday, June 10, from 7PM till 9PM
Contact Sensei Ern for details and so he knows how many might be coming.
[Mr] T
Great job folks.
Woo Hoo! Bathing suits! I can hardly wait for the pictures. Yeah, I know about the mowing thing. We had so much rain all last week, there was no drying out period. Finally it’s warm. Praise the Lord! Now I can mow and weed-eat the yard. I do that you know. Hubby cooks, I mow. Works out pretty good that way.
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