These Colors Don't Run Eagle Strike! Tucson, AZ welcomes the Caravan 3/10/2007 with River of Flags

Free Republic | 03/10/2007 | Wayne

[\/\/ayne]

"These Colors Don't Run" hit Tucson like a striking eagle! What a fantastic group of dedicated people!

(Above) The Tucson Korean War Veterans Memorial. It's not the "forgotten" war around here!
(Above) Setting up a "River of Flags" because we don't have a sea here in the desert. I don't know how many flags were donated but it was a lot. One was from 1970 and had flown over Fort Huachuca. It was donated by a retired Colonel.
(Above) Two eagle flags mark the entrance from the parking lot. The caravan patriots may not have seen these because they parked along the driveway.
(Above) This is a river in Tucson. You can almost hear the the roar of water!
(Above) We never forget why we are here at these troop rallies and counter-protests - to honor those serving, our veterans, and those who have fallen.
(Above) As the caravan arrived we all lined up with flags and signs. It was great to see them pulling in! Tucson's Fox 11 News was there but I didn't have a chance to watch that news.
(Above) Some decorations on caravan cars.
(Above) Jim and Sheila looking good! Those two young men above the sign will be Marines this time next year. The guy on the right is a little tired from a recruit hike earlier! Later I talked to Jim for a while and opined that while his incredible website FreeRepublic.com has done great work, liberal media bias is not defeated yet and there is still much to be done. He told me had no idea Free Republic would grow to it's present gigantic size when he started it! I also met Syncro and Impeach98 on the caravan and dlfromthedesert, a Tucson FReeper.
(Above) As the speakers began we lined the area behind them with people holding flags. It was quite impressive. I thought we had about a hundred people but "General" Pat did a careful crowd count and estimated about 150 altogether. The speakers were fantastic and very inspiring. "I'm sick of some politicians whom we know don't support the troops going around for photo ops at military bases and hospitals!" a caravan Gold Star mom said to cheers and yells of support. She mentioned that they could be voted out as quickly as they were voted in. A Gold Star dad who was a Vietnam Veteran explained that he remembered Jane Fonda well and had great motivation for the Gathering of Eagles. Fonda's mention received many boos. We had two of our own Gold Star Dad's speak. "If I have to be the only one out there holding a flag to support our troops, then I'll be there!" roared Army Airborne Ranger veteran Michael Lucero to thunderous applause. Many wore buttons honoring his son Josh who died in Fallujah by blocking a grenade thrown in ambush. His action saved two Marines directly, and one Navy officer who served with Josh I met before the rally told me that Lance Corporal Lucero was known to have saved many more lives at various times. His recently promoted sister Antionette who joined the Marines afterward was here on leave from Iraq, though her twin brother (who is in the Army) is still there right now. Everyone was glad to hear that Tony Lucero was ok after being blown up by an IED. He has a minor concussion and many cuts and bruises. Many prayers sustain him.
(Above) There was a mad rush for T-shirts after the speeches. I was afraid for the caravan workers but they made it ok, grabbing the correct size when asked. Some people just handed donations in.
(Above) A liberal anti-war dude showed up earlier, grabbed a flier and then took off when the caravan came. I was out on the driveway taking pictures. He held out his hand through his car window to give me a high five as he drove by. "Hey, brother, stop the war, right?" he whined as he gave a limp wristed slap to my hand. "Only if you want to be killed by terrorists," I retorted, watching him speed off. Looks like he'll be very excited to tell his moonbat friends about this: The Gathering of Eagles Tucson! Stay tuned for that notification later!

[\/\/ayne]

The Eagle Flags, third pic from the top, are awesome. Where can I get one?

I will try to find out where they were purchased from, post the answer here and FReepmail you. Apparently our local newspaper showed a pic of the caravan on the 9th but it's not in the internet version that I can find. However, a letter to the editor today by a liberal mentions it.

[bmwcyle]

A growing Army to face the libs.

[3D-JOY]

Thanks for the report!

The pictures are wonderful to see.

[rockabyebaby]

Thanks for the ping freema and thanks for posting the pictures and keeping us updated, my best to all, keep up the good work, have a safe trip!

[rockabyebaby]

Thanks for the ping freema and thanks for posting the pictures and keeping us updated, my best to all, keep up the good work, have a safe trip!

[rockabyebaby]

Thanks for the ping freema and thanks for posting the pictures and keeping us updated, my best to all, keep up the good work, have a safe trip!

[rockabyebaby]

Thanks for the ping freema and thanks for posting the pictures and keeping us updated, my best to all, keep up the good work, have a safe trip!

[rockabyebaby]

ooops, sorry about the quadruple posting, not sure what happened there!

[trooprally]

Thanks for the great report. I was hoping you would do an AAR.

Love the Eagle flags and also the others lined up.

150 turnout. Impressive.

[Mr] T

[Marine_Uncle]

The pics are great. Thanks for sharing them.

[Angelwood]

Thanks for the pictures and report on the caravan's arrival and the rally in Tucson.

FReep On!

[tgslTakoma]

Wayne, General Pat and everybody else in Tucson yesterday: Thank you for being there!

Thanks, Wayne, for posting the photos and report, AND for orchestrating the Tucson Gathering of Eagles on March 17th. The links to news reports on the Move America Forward website are encouraging - local media seems to want to report good news. National media are another story.

I can't wait until the lefties (and the blind, deaf and dumb MSM) hear from the real majority in this country on Saturday.

[La Enchiladita]

Thanks for the good news and report with pix, \/\/ayne...

Nice to see the Robinsons so well and happy and to know Syncro is on the Caravan too.... Woohoo.

[Reaganite84]

The Fox affiliate did report on the caravan and rally during the 9:00 PM newscast at least. It included footage of the crowd and of the vehicles in the caravan pulling in. What a warm and welcome reception you all provided to our traveling group.

[freema]

Have you considered writing a letter to explain about the Wall, the Navy Memorial and the Capitol steps?

[\/\/ayne]

It's going out today and here it is!

You're invited to the Gathering of Eagles (Tucson) at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Craycroft and Golf Links Gate or Swan Gate on 03/17/2007 10:00 am to 1:00 PM.to 1:00 am.

We're going to defeat them again! Last year in Tucson on March 18th for this annual "anti-war" event, 100 patriotic Tucsonans occupied the Military Recruiting Center on Speedway to stop a local march of 200 protesters (with participants bused in from as far as Mexico) from vandalizing it. Instead of rampaging through the Center as they had planned they were forced to go across the street and stand there looking crazy. The Tucson Police Department Bicycle Squad kept a watchful eye out and there was no trouble.

This January in Washington DC, Jane Fonda jumped back in to the "anti-war" business in a big way. At the same rally, protesters spray-painted the Capital building after Capital Police were ordered to let them do it, even though the officers had them under control. The next rally on March 17th was scheduled to be near the Vietnam War Memorial! Concerned about this and other reports of war memorial desecrations, veterans started the Gathering of Eagles ( http://www.gatheringofeagles.org ) to protect the Wall. The Gathering has mushroomed into a gigantic rally to support the troops!

Here in Tucson, the "anti-war" faction, organized by the Arizona District Leader for the Communist Party USA, has made a new plan. Stung by last year's stunning defeat, their current scheme to protest the brave men and women of the US Armed Forces at Davis-Monthan Air Base in Tucson. They plan to meet at the Craycroft and Golf Links gate on Saturday, March 17th to picket, give a few propaganda speeches and march over to the Swan and Golf Links gate to picket there for awhile. If they follow their usual Modus Operandi, the "anti-war" radicals will vandalize the sidewalks in front of the military installation.

Why protest a military base, recruiting center or hospital as these groups do? The military doesn't make foreign policy. The answer is that while some in the crowd may want peace and just don't know what they're doing, the leaders are attempting to demoralize our troops and our country to the point of surrender, as Jane Fonda and her friends did in the Vietnam war. Our military won every battle there but lost the "protest war" at home. Brave and victorious Vietnam Veterans came back to be spit on in airports and other travel stations! Will we let this happen again? No!

The Gathering of Eagles - Tucson will meet across the street from this protest and stand peacefully holding signs of troop support and military/American flags. As soon as the protesters move away from any area we will immediately inspect and scrub off sidewalk vandalization. Yes, we will be earlier and stay later than the radicals. Our troops work long hours for us every day under harsh conditions! But even if you can only stay briefly on your way to the Air Show that day it will be appreciated.

The organizers will be there early to set up the large number of flags and banners and "hold the ground." Come at 7:00 - 10:00 am if you would like to help set up and volunteer to help in other ways. Bring a case of water bottles if you can as many Air Show attendees will join us. Also bring a flag or sign of support! Our troops have heard of the Gathering of Eagles and are watching closely. So are politicians. Even the terrorists wonder if this will hurt their cause. Let's show them that American citizens care by standing up for the troops and America! See you there!

Flyer for rally: http://i13.tinypic.com/4gnpc7d.jpg

[freema]

Dang, \/\/ayne, that's great!