Posted on 02/16/2006 12:02:43 PM PST by tgslTakoma
Last Friday was the fourth week that Freepers, Protest Warriors, friends, lurkers and other supporters of our troops had all four corners of the main entrance at Walter Reed, on which we were able to display our signs, flags and banners of support for the Wounded Warriors healing inside the hospital.
BillF's computers have all suffered major malfunctions in the past two weeks, and he is unable to post his usual fabulous report again this week.
Albion Wilde is working on a TOP SECRET project for this Friday, so she is also unable to post her usual fabulous report.
So, you got me as the official After Action Reporter this week.
I have no list of names for the Honor Roll - it's locked up in BillF's computer. Bill told me this morning that he had a head count of 39 Freepers manning the four corners. The Code PinkOs had a bad turnout; no Code Pink leaders were present on their mid-block location at any point during the evening. At their peak, they had only nine people, and that was for only twenty minutes. Most of the evening they had their core group of radicals; Guitar Man, Weasel, Bruce and his wife Candace, a woman and her very elderly and wheelchair-bound mother (grandmother, in-law??) and one other guy.
Now that we own all four corners, there is no doubt in the minds of passers-by as to what side we are on - and the horn honks and shouts of support for our troops, and thank yous to us for being there, are overwhelming!
And when the cars drive by the new mid-block location for Code Pink? Nary a toot is sent their way.
Word is getting around inside the hospital that the lefties are no longer out front with their demoralizing signs and anti-America attitudes; and the wounded troops are venturing outside the gate nowadays. This week saw even more Walter Reed patients coming out to talk to us and thank us for being there. While standing alongside us out on the sidewalk, they see and hear for themselves what the media won't report - that the majority of Americans do support them and their mission.
It's a lot nicer now to stand on our four corners - we can focus our message solely on support of the troops. It's a little bit more difficult when the pizza arrives though; I have to "deliver" to twice as many locations now. Maybe I need roller skates?
You can view my photos from February 10th HERE. I have video, but haven't had time to do anything with it. Unfortunately I don't have any stills of the Fran O'Brien's bus arriving - I was doing double still/video duty, and only have video of the bus.
The Fran O'Brien's bus arrived very late last Friday night, but the large crowd who had stood on the four corners since 6:30pm weren't about to leave without welcoming them through the gates. And at around 10pm when the bus was spotted coming up Georgia Avenue, the four corners erupted in cheers, applause and a mass of supportive signs and flags a-waving!
Traffic was light, so the bus driver stopped at the intersection and after a few seconds he turned on the interior light before turning into WRAMC, and his passengers waved and smiled at the sight of a four-cornered welcome party, for them!
Again this week, we had several Freepers from out of state join us:
Dinasour (from CT) skipped the Friday night CPAC banquet to stand with Freepers supporting our troops.
Tax Relief, Huber and one of their young tax deductions (up here for CPAC) joined us from NC.
Sisku Hanne and her husband drove down from PA.
Doctor Raoul made a "Hoagies for Heroes" run, and I hear that it was a big hit in all the right places.
As always, the DC Chapter's rules for protesting will be in effect.
Briefly, they are: No violence. No profanity. No racism. No provocations. Obey the law. Treat all law enforcement officers with respect.
Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 7200 Georgia Ave., at Elder St., NW
6:30pm until approximately 9:30pm
Patriots will have all four corners of Georgia Avenue/Elder Street intersection - with Protest Warrior having the permit for the two corners on the West and the DC Chapter of Free Republic having the permit for the two corners on the East.
On street parking is usually easy to find. Location is about 6 or 7 blocks from the Takoma metro station and is walkable, but it is best if you get a ride. If you want a ride, FReepmail tgslTakoma and BillF (hopefully his computer issues will be solved today), preferably with your cell phone number as far in advance as possible. We'll do our best to arrange a ride from the Takoma Metro station for you.
ping!
Wonderful! There is one good thing about being home sick...I get to say "Thanks" first.
I hope your DC cold isn't too bad. Thank you for joining us last week - it was very nice to meet you and put a face to your name. And thank you for giving up a seat at the CPAC banquet to show real support for our wounded warriors.
I've been fighting off a cold for three weeks now. First cold in four years, and it's hanging on...
BUMP Can't be there tonight, but hope to make it up soon for my first "All FReepers All the Time on All Four" freep.
Supporting Our Wounded Warriors at Walter Reed PING
Oops-- whatta ya mean it's not Friday yet?
Warms my heart.
Wish I could be there.:(
GOOD NEWS!! And good work!
BTTT
Help us show the wounded warriors and their families and friends that mainstream Americans do care about them, appreciate greatly their sacrifice, and that we support them and their mission.
Bump!
Wow, great post!
Thanks for the kind words. I am feeling better today. It's that time of year, plus being in all those crowds.
it was very nice to meet you and put a face to your name
Same here times many. Down side is that it's going to be so much harder to flame certain people.
to show real support for our wounded warriors.
I intend to be back. In fact I am making plans to come down for the Washington Correspondants Dinner. If so, I'll make sure I come to Walter Reed, the previous Friday.
Here are some of my favorites. (When you click the link to the photo, you can click the photo it to enlarge it.)
BillF is a guy who wears several hats.
Kristinn and Cindy-True-Supporter.
The MOAB (Mother of All Banners) and lots of other pro-troops signs.
Hi, army mom! Wisconsin's not so far... but in the meantime, FReep where you are! Please thank your son for us for his service!
I sooooo look forward to these reports and pictures. Thanks to all of you who are able to stand for us.
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