Posted on 01/19/2005 5:47:42 AM PST by The Glaswegian
Andrew H. Card says, "You guys (The FreeRepublic.com) are great!"
I was greatly blessed yesterday to attend as an inaugural volunteer the Military Gala, I was, along with many other fine folks, given the privilege of assisting our wounded heroes from Walter Reed. During the event Andrew M. Card, The Chief of Staff to the President came into the Suite where we were watching the "Fantastic" show from. The corporate suites had been donated for the event so that the wounded servicemen and women could watch the show in comfort.
Mr. Card graciously introduced himself to me, and I told him I was an Inaugural Volunteer he then proceeded to spend time with the two wounded heroes and their families who were the honored guests of the President at the event.
As Mr. Card was about to leave I said to him, "Sir, do you have a moment?" He said "Sure" I told him that I wanted to thank he and the President for all they have done for our country and that I would like him to send Greetings to the The President from FreeRepublic.com!
As I said this he grabbed my hand again and said, " You guys are great, thank you for all you have done!" We chatted for a moment about FreeRepublic and he gave some personal comments about his knowledge of the FreeRepublic.com. Knowing how much it would mean to my fellow Freepers across the country, and particularly the DC Chapter, I asked him for his permission to post some details of our discussion on the FreeRepublic.com, he very graciously agreed, and then he reached into his pocket and gave me his personal business card.
Mr. Card appeared to have a very positive view of The FreeRepublic.com and was aware of some of our contributions to the political process. He was a very gracious and polite man and it was indeed my privilege to meet with him.
I would also like to say the true heroes of this event were the Service men and women and their families who attended. Particularly those who had been wounded, and those whom we honored who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. During the show my duties were to help escort wounded soldiers to their Suites and then during the event we gave them any assistance they needed, which was not much, as despite their serious injuries they were determined just to get on with life. I talked with several of these heroes, none of them seemed bitter, none seemed to be diminished in their love of country or their commitment to their comrades. They are true heroes.
In the suite we had two brave soldiers, Rosetta and Andrew. They gave me their permission to tell you a little of their story.
Rosetta, a Medic originally from Oklahoma, was with the 1-12 Cavalry and was injured in November in Sadr City in Iraq. The only women in her squad, a mortar hit her and her friend taking a cigarette break in the mess tent. Her friend was killed instantly, she survived but was severely wounded with multiple shrapnel wounds. Despite this she is battling on, and was looking forward to rejoining her unit.
Andrew, from Missouri and now North Carolina was with the North Carolina National Guard 120th Infantry.He was in Tuz, Iraq traveling in a Bradley which was hit by an RPG. He was in the turret, the crew survived, but he and his Lieutenant both lost a leg. Andrew would not let us help much, he was very positive and was looking forward to going back to North Carolina when he had finished rehabilitation.
May God Bless Rosetta and Andrew, and all the wounded warriors, and their families and grant them a healthy and speedy recovery!
I cannot tell you what a privilege it was for me to help these two HEROES in my small way. I will be forwarding the thread link to both the soldiers.
While in the Suite the person responsible for coordinating special events for the seriously wounded at Walter Reed Hospital came by to visit her two warriors. While she was there I offered my help to assist when needed at other events. She was pleased to accept. I plan on taking some of the boys whom I coach on my U18 soccer team with me to help as well. If any Freepers are interested in helping in the DC area you may freepmail me.
This was a simply superb event, all of the volunteers and the Presidential Inaugural Committee Staff were professional and worked hard to make this a seamless production, and they succeeded. Most of all the country should be so proud of the Men and Women who serve, their sacrifice is incalculable. May God bless them and the nation for which they serve! Please pray for our troops!
You are a great American :0)
Wow! Cool story. Thanks for sharing it with us.
You never know who might be looking over your shoulder when you cast your written words into the ether. I bet Al Gore is sorry he invented the internet!
Mr. Card, thank you for answering the call to duty and to serve this great country of ours when the President asked you to serve as his Chief of Staff. There are many, many of us out here who know what kind of pressure and responsibility that go along with the job of being the President's right-hand man, and we appreciate your service greatly!
Great report.
Andy Card may be too liberal for this conservative's taste, but he is a real pro, and a class act, no doubt about it.
At least overtly, he has managed to subsume his own politics to the needs of the President, who is more conservative than he.
And he has a fortitude which is serving the President well. Not too many hold up in that job for this long. It is one of the most brutal jobs on the planet.
Prayers for our heroes and their families.
Mere words don't suffice in expressing the gratitude I feel towards them and their sacrifices.
Hopefully they will continue to lurk around here so we can continue to be of use during the social security debate (its my money going in), FMA, 2006, and even 2008.
The left and the media are already doing damage spin attacks in preparation.
That is amazing. I wish I were in DC this week....even with all the snow. I will hold my own party here....but what will I wear?
Speak for yourself. I'm great. The rest of you are just riding on my coattails. :)
More info & photos on these 2 heroes:
Rosetta: (She has 5 children. Wow. What a sacrifice!)
Long Recovery Ahead For Soldier Wounded In Mortar Attack
Soldier's Five Children Anxiously Await Mother's Release From Army Hospital
OKLAHOMA CITY -- The five children of an Oklahoma City soldier wounded in a mortar attack in Iraq were wondering Tuesday when their mother would return home after four months of recovery in a U.S. Army hospital.
More at the links:
http://www.channeloklahoma.com/news/3997566/detail.html
(Real Player video at this link)
Andrew
Twins in trauma, treatment; Guardsmen share amputation ordeal
http://newsobserver.com/news/v-printer/story/1944566p-8304530c.html (Photos!)
Patrol ambushedMore info at GoogleTheir lives changed just after 3 p.m. on Nov. 15, a hot and dusty day. Members of their platoon were on patrol near the town of Tuz Kharmatu, north of Baghdad, doing reconnaissance on a place they'd never been before,
Salau, 34, and Butterworth, 25, were in the turret of a Bradley fighting vehicle, an armored personnel carrier. They had six soldiers in the back of the vehicle and 20 soldiers in their convoy. (More at above link!)
Oh, and Mr. Card, thank you for helping W get re-elected. You're a hero too, but in a different way. ;-)
pingy
FR is getting it done - and on a shoestring budget, I think. I am proud to be a monthly donor.
And proud of Jim for his instincts and ability that have made this place what it is.
I do not contribute as much to the info on the forum as a lot do, but my small and regular money donation helps keep the lights on and that's a great feeling.
If you don't, give it a try.
Wait a minute! You're a freeper and you are wondering what you should wear for your own inaugural party? I thought p.j.s were our garb :) But you can still wear any Western boots you may have--they go with anything...
If it hasn't already been said - THIS IS HUGH!!
FR is getting lots of good press everywhere!
Mr. Card--You and the President and Mrs. Bush are invited to my home for a big ol' Turkey dinner! (Okay, I guess you'll have a ball to attend.) We're celebrating the inauguration in our home, and my kids (and my hubby and I) pray for our President every night before bedtime. Thanks for all you do!
WOW!
Howdy, Mr. Card!!!
Great post!
God bless our troops!
Oh man! Now that brought on blurry eyesight and chill bumps. May God bless him and hope he knows he is loved by people unseen by him.
Thanks for the ping!
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