DC CHAPTER HONORS US TROOPS: Patriots Rally for America V, 03/23/2003, After Action Report & Photos

DC Chapter of Free Republic ^ | March 26, 2003 | Angelwood, tgslTakoma

[tgslTakoma]

For the fourth weekend in a row, the DC Chapter of Free Republic was out on the street to show our support for the dedicated men and women in the US military, who are working their behinds off to assure us the freedom to assemble peacefully and without fear on the homefront.

To those of you in the military, at home and abroad, frontlines and rearward... we extend our most heartfelt thanks, our prayers, and our support - to you and to your families.

You guys and gals couldn't be here in DC this past weekend to accept our thanks in person, so we're bringing the party to you, in words and photos.

I have to apologize for not getting the photo links up sooner, and not linking each photo in this article. I took more than 300 photos of the day's events, because I didn't want you all to miss anything or anybody, though I'm sure I missed a couple of people who were there. :-)

I sorted through that mass of photos and managed to cut that huge number of photos down to a more manageable 180 photos, and I just finished uploading them all. Rather than link each picture, I have decided for this event to give you links to the photo albums, which you can browse through or view as a slide show; and can see for yourselves just how much we love you all!

The day began for us at 9am at the Lincoln Memorial, as we started setting up for the rally. Click here to begin your day with us as we set up for and began the Rally.

A lot of folks came out to wave their flags, sing songs, and listen to stirring speeches; but most of all, they came out to salute you!

As the day progressed, we were honored to meet some of your families and friends; and they are so very proud of you, as are we all!

We send our most heartfelt thanks to you guys and gals who have volunteered to defend us from our enemies.

May your hearts be strong, and your aim be true. Godspeed you all!

[tgslTakoma]

Please add your comments on the thread guys, ("guys" = a generic, non gender-specific term, not often used in politically correct DC).

And I invite anyone who may want to, please link any photo from the albums that you think folks may like to see. My eyes are about crossed right now, from sorting them all out, and I just plain ran out of time to link special pix. Tomorrow after work I may get back to it, if you all don't beat me to it (hint, hint).

[CAbornAmerasianinDC]

Great event, great pics!!!

Thanks!!!

[nunya bidness]

Where's the damn pics? And don't give me that shock and awe excuse.

Ducking...

[P8riot]

They're behind the links in post #1

[P8riot]

Great Job DC FReepers! We had a pretty good rally on Sunday as well.

[leadpenny]

Wonderful report, T.

First former Rep. Dornan, then Rep. King, and now former Rep Livingston. Maybe, just maybe, we will start to see many more elected and former elected officials coming out to stand up for America and to support our troops.

[leadpenny]

BTW, Aziz Al-Taee will be on FOX & Friends at 7:20 this AM.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/875861/posts

[tgslTakoma]

Let's hope so!

What a pleasant surprise to see Mr. Livingston standing quietly in the audience; and what a very nice man, too. He spent a lot of time talking with folks who came up and said hello to him.

Boy is he tall!

[leadpenny]

I hope everyone got to hear Aziz Al-Taee on FOX just now. He used the line from his speech on Sunday. "Saddam, the dying old fart."

[tgslTakoma]

He's a good guy, too. I remember his family in Baghdad in my prayers. I hope that Saddam's enforcers don't harm them. His family has had enough tragedy at Saddam's hands already.

[leadpenny]

I told him my story of walking into the House Gallery during the impeachment of Klintoon debate just as he was saying he would not be the next Speaker of the House. He seemed to like it. I thought the body language between he and Rep. King was very sincere. Rep. Livingston seemed impressed with Rep King.

[tgslTakoma]

Thank you! It's kind of a labor of love, I guess. I watched the faces of people as Aziz and the other Americans of Iraqi descent spoke of their experiences and their families' losses at Saddam's hands. And I watched the people as our speakers talked about our soldiers, and the battles they have engaged in. We all care about the safety of our soldiers, but we know they have a difficult and dangerous job to do. And we love them all, such very brave men and women who volunteered to defend our country. God Bless 'em all!

[tgslTakoma]

It was a beautiful day, shared with some very brave family members of those serving our country in the Middle East. It lifted my spirits just to see so many folks share my opinion; unusual in these parts. Well, maybe not unusual, but they don't usually come out in public and say it. I guess people are finally realizing that they have to show the soldiers that there are Americans who DO support them, and who DO care about what they are doing, IN OUR NAME.

[tgslTakoma]

You are a tough one to please!

;-)

Tonight I'll link some of my very favorites. For now, you'll have to look at the whole albums...

Thanks for caring, nunya.

:-)

[Taxman]

A Taxman Bravo Zulu! for your hard work, excellent after-action report and, of course, the pics.

Sunday was a beautiful day! Thanks to all who made it happen.

A special thanks to our servicemen and women and their families. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

[kristinn]

Thank you for the great report and all the work you've put in on these rallies. All the members of the D.C. Chapter have contributed so much in the past year-and-a-half of Operation Infinite Freep. Our work on the home front is not done. When it is, you can rest knowing you've done all you could.

[FreeTheHostages]

Yes, and actually Mr. Livingston spent a lot of time quietly listening to the rally too. He really did attend it.

[FreeTheHostages]

I love this photo of Rep. Livingston. (I think although he's no longer in Congress, polite society says he retains the honorific title "Rep.," no?)