Posted on 12/19/2007 6:53:01 PM PST by trooprally
Friday was spent getting ready for the D.C. Chapter's Christmas Party (AAR soon), Friday at Walter Reed, Saturday morning at Olney, Saturday afternoon at the Olney Compound for the Christmas Party, Sunday was spent cleaning up and helping Plea Deal with the WR AAR, and late Monday afternoon at the airport watching our son come home from Iraq.
The Walter Reed FReep was great - the buses came early on this chilly Friday night.
Then the Olney FReep. We mustered 10 FReepers and Lurkers this week. The honor Roll includes Legionnaires Glenn (USMC - Iwo Jima), Frank (Army - Korea), Lurker Bill, and FReepers BufordP, Exit148 and husband, Fraxinus, iMacMan, Sensei Ern and me.
Missing were Cindy_True_supporter and [Mrs] T who were getting ready for the Christmas Party.
BELOW LEFT: Frank, me and BufordP getting ready to FReep. BELOW RIGHT: GunsAreOK, Exit148 and husband. Exit148 came from NJ just to rekindle old friendships. It's been a while since she has been to D.C. "[Mr] Exit" has been to FReeps with Exit148 but always shy-ed from holding a sign. But not this time. When we first met, he said that because of his health he would probably go back to the car. Well, after a few minutes of hearing all the honks and seeing all the waves, he grabbed a sign a stood with us for the whole time. He was also thrilled by all the show of support from the passing cars. GunsAreOK also traveled 3 hours to once again be with the D.C. Chapter.
BELOW LEFT: It was a little windy out today, and I'm sticking to that!! BELOW RIGHT: Bag at the feet of FReepers is two dozen donuts handed to us from a passing car. We ate them after the FReep at the Olney Compound while waiting for everyone else to show up for the Christmas Party.
BELOW LEFT: Fraxinus joking around with GunsAreOK. "[Mr] Exit" and me in back ground. BELOW RIGHT: Me, Kevin, and Sensei Ern. Kevin, the owner of Dave's American Bistro, who for one day last spring, opened up his restaurant to all soldiers for a free dinner and music. He closed the restaurant to his regular customers. The Olney gang frequent his place on a regular bases after our FReep. Heads up, January 5 is Olney's 2 year anniversary. We are heading back to Dave's again. So come on out to Olney and lets rock 'n roll.
BELOW LEFT: Our one and only Lurker Bill!! BELOW RIGHT: BufordP and "[Mr] Exit", with GunsAreOK behind them.
BELOW LEFT: "Boots on the corner". BELOW RIGHT: Without the sun shining behind the blue banner and washing it out, the banner just seems to have a fluorescence about it.
AND THE MOONBATS WERE THERE, all 6 of them. The faux marine was no where to be seen for the second week in a row. As Glenn (USMC - Iwo Jima) said, "He's no marine".
BELOW LEFT: Moonbats spoiling the view. BELOW RIGHT: What's this? A new sign? Jeez. And the moonbat with the "Stop War, Stop Warming" sure is gift wrapped for someone.
But our support from passing cars out weights any thing the moonbats could do. iMacMan's super pics.
The THUMBS UP were plentiful today.
AND OUR REGULAR SUPPORTERS.
Saturday afternoon was spent with like minded people at the D.C. Chapter's CHRISTMAS PARTY. AAR later. There will not be an AAR for Sunday's clean up.
And Monday late afternoon was spent at Dullas Airport welcoming home our son from Iraq. One privilege of writing AARs is that you can add personal stuff.
BELOW LEFT: And there are two kids behind that there Welcome Home sign. BELOW RIGHT: Here they are.
REMEMBER
Next Saturday, same place, Georgia Avenue, MD Rte. 97 and MD Rte. 108 in Olney
NEW TIME - 10:15 AM to 11:45 AM
As always, the D.C. Chapter's rules for protesting will be in effect. Briefly, they are: No violence, no profanity, no racism, no provocations, obey the law and treat all law enforcement officers with respect.
But a lot of verbal engagement in Olney is always welcome.
Thank you for your heart warming ‘Welcome Home’ and well wishes.
Before we go down to see him, I’m going to print out this thread and give it to him so he can personally read your messages.
Words can not convey our deep gratitude for all the support we received from everyone. FR really is a great place to be.
Merry Christmas To All!!
The Trooprallys
;-)
Thanks for posting another great report from the wilds of Olney, MD. It's really heartening to see the numbers of thumbs-ups increasing lately. As the tide turns for the better in Iraq, Americans are beginning to see the value of sticking out the mission to completion.
And finally...
Welcome home, Marine-son-of-trooprally(s)!
Outstanding!
Pinging the rest of the DC Chapter list...
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Welcome home. Thanks for your service to our country.
WELCOME HOME RICHARD!
WELCOME HOME, Marine & my brother-in-arms!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS to you/yours as well.
free dixie,sw
Welcome home! Thanks for serving and have a very Merry Christmas!
Welcome home, Marine!!
Great AAR and you’ve received the bestest Christmas present.
gnip...
I remember meeting this guy at the party. You gave him the WWII Vet cap, right? Knowing he was at Iwo Jima (one truly bloody battle) makes me admire him even more.
It was great meeting the Korea vets as well. :-)
GREAT post and photos. Wonderful your son is home. God Bless the Marines...especially yours! Truly a Merry Christmas at the Trooprally home. :-)
God bless you and all that you do at Olney! Your pics are fantastic. Give my best to your son. His service makes all of us safer.
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