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!
bttt
Not only does he have Mr. Card's card, Card probably thinks he's a card.
Here is a link to one of my many tributes. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1141644/posts?page=17#17
Whoa! How cool is this? We have friends in high places.
Good morning Mr Card. It's a great day for our side.
But I'm not surprised Mr Card is aware of FR and most likely the President is too. This group was too active during the Clinton years and the first Bush years.
Coming home from a support Bush rally in 2000, while the recount was still going on, I heard a news report on the radio. A group of people were outside the Gore residence chanting "get out of Cheneys house" and I started jumping up and down in the car yelling out loud "it's the FReepers, it's the DC FReepers."
If the Bush people weren't aware of FR before, that had to have gotten their attention. I can hear President Bush laughing out loud if/when he heard about this. I'm also sure someone in the White house tracks FR.
Thank you. Have never heard that name before. Where have I been?
Bless you for sharing this moment..I enjoyed reading it.. God Bless...
Thanks to both Rosetta and Andrew.
The press watches you, and
WE watch the press!
Great post! Lucky you! Thanks for doing this!
How about all those SoreLoserman signs in Florida? Of course the White House lurks in sometimes. A lot of GOP congressional offices poke in here too. Somebody posted the IP addy hits some years ago. The ALL know about us:)
And I say the same thing to the President and his Cabinet and staff, the Military, and to FreeRepublic. You guys are great, all of you, thank you for all you have done.
And BTW - thank you for a great post!
Appreciate the report and it was good to see you again last night at the FR ball.
Don't make yourself a stranger. 'Pod.
How faantastic is that?!? Is this the same event that the Committee called the "Commander in Chief Ball"?
Can you put yourself in the shoes of those two soldiers who were invited to dance with the President and the First Lady? The soldiers must have been very nervous, but the President & the First Lady were so gracious. Women all over America were swooning and jealous that that young soldier got to dance with him, and the same for men -- envious that that young soldier got to guide the First Lady around the dance floor. And then the President quipped, "We saved the best for last!" I thought it was a really fitting ending to a beautiful day.
Please thank your soldiers for their service to this country and tell them that we all pray for them and their compatriots.
And thank you for your service too!
That's a great graphic! I just love it.
This was at the Military Gala on Tuesday it was not a Ball, but an event designed to celebrate the truimph and dedication of our military. Many wonderful entertainers and excellent presentations by each of our armed services.
FR!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.