Posted on 01/18/2008 1:55:56 PM PST by Albion Wilde
Washington, January 11, 2008— Whatta FReep! While Metro Police "observed" our regular Friday night rally in support of the wounded, a soldier strolled out of the Walter Reed gates in a hospital gown and skimpy robe — in January. Battle fatigued? Not at all. This guy is all muscle and grit, had just had major surgery that morning, and his missions were twofold: first, to shake hands with the DC Chapter FReepers outside the gates, and second, to "go tell the lefties that I want to go back to Iraq!"
He had heard about the anti-war protesters down the street, and about our weekly "support the troops, support the mission"rally that had thrown the lefties away from the gates—and keeps them away. Walter Reed remains the site of some of the most front-edge technology in restorative medicine: a small, sutured incision was the only evidence of his total disc replacement surgery that morning—that, and his hospital-issue back-opening nightgown, covered with a thin cotton robe.
Joel, an 82nd Airborne Iraq veteran who hails from New Jersey, made the rounds of our four corners to shake hands with the DC Chapter FReepers, then headed down to confront the Bush Derangement Sufferers, led by Bruce Wolf of the AFL-CIO affiliate, OPEIU Local 2. FReeper PrezUSA222 preceded Joel with a huge flag on a pole. "I'm on high-security detail," Prez joked. On the way back, Joel recounted with surprise the lefties' tame responses, in contrast with the bird-flipping at wounded troops we have documented during other soldiers' visits to the leftist camp when CodePink was in charge. "They didn't call me a babykiller or anything," he remarked. Thanks to our influence, Bruce put away his "Maimed for a Lie" sign early on — we haven't seen him holding it since 2005.
Several students from one of the nation's top hotbeds of campus radicalism, Oberlin College, strolled by our FReep. They were on a winter-break lobbying trip to the Nation's Capital. Although their lobbying mission centered on the use of coal as fuel, one of their stricken-faced members recited verbatim the MorOn.org talking points about our soldiers not having enough supplies and equipment. When we countered with facts, such as the length of time it takes to fully supply a fighting force and the cuts in funding throughout the Clinton administration leading up to the War on Terror, or various politically-motivated awards to substandard defense contractors, she scuttled away quickly to rejoin the lefties.
Two other Oberliners, students in enviro studies and history, remained courteous and stayed to chat awhile longer. We explained that we support the free-speech rights of the protesters down the street, but their thinking is stuck in the 60s, as is that of the major media executives who spread opinion of the WOT. Bottom line, the Pinkos' choice of Walter Reed as the site for their protests is as as inappropriate as a thong bikini at an Amish wedding.
DC Metro Police's Finest Lurkers
DC Metro Police vehicles were parked in several locations around this night's FReep. Not only a squad car, but also a motorcycle with a sidecar from the elite unit that escorts Presidential motorcades, stayed throughout the evening in the church parking lot behind our main banner. Meanwhile, some "beat" cops in the six-lane Georgia Avenue artery that runs alongside Walter Reed seemed to be there just to nab speeders.
The two officers in the parking lot were from the Special Operations unit that is responsible for monitoring demonstrations in the District of Columbia. Ours, they said, is on a regular rotation of demos to be observed from time to time, and they got an eyeful of soldiers visiting us and FReepers warming up in our cars or stopping by our coffee stand in the parking lot, plus a joyful earful from passing cars beeping and shouting support and FReepers singing, woo-hooing and waving. The officers were approachable and friendly and we welcomed them to have some refreshments, which they declined; but one of them took Satin_Patriot on a sidecar ride all around the residential streets to the east of Walter Reed before the FReep began.
A PDA for the Troops
We always stay until the bus arrives bringing recovering soldiers and their families back to the WR base after a dinner on the town, courtesy of volunteer donations through the Aleethia Foundation and Fran O'Brien's restaurateur Hal Koster. We could go into the base and greet them out of sight; but as we explained to the Metro Police monitors, we want the public to see us greeting them and cheering them. Soldiers and their families have told us many times how much they appreciate this PDA — Public Display of Affection — from citizens.
This Week's Honor Roll:
FReepers: Albion Wilde, BufordP, Cindy-True-Supporter, Fraxinus, Jimmy Valentine's brother, KBuri, PleaDeal, PrezUSA222, RonGKirby, Satin_Patriot, Tom the Redhunter, TroopRally [Mr & Mrs], VAflagwaver, VictoryNY.
Lurkers: Alicia, Bill from MD, Chief, Coby of Vets for Freedom, Mom of PrezUSA222 and Steve, plus two soldiers from WRAMC = 23 for our rally, vs. an uncharacteristically large number, 14, for the anti-war "vigil."
Links:
To view all of PleaDeal's photos of this FReep, Click here.
To view all of [Mrs] Trooprally's photos of this FReep, Click here.
To view BufordP's archive of all past Walter Reed FReeps, Click here.
Want some ideas of what you can do for the wounded at Walter Reed? FReepmail Albion Wilde, Cindy-True-Supporter, PleaDeal or VAFlagWaver.
Directions to our Walter Reed freep location from the Takoma metro station
.
DC Chapter megaping. Sorry this is late, folks. It’s snow-shoveling and sore throat season. Enjoy the great time we had last Friday, and hope to see you tonight!
FReepmail me to be added to / deleted from this once-weekly ping list.
We weren’t able to get out of town because of the weather. Hope to see you guys another time
Wow! That was a good one!
Woo Hoo! Jersey soldiers kick it!
Here’s a thought - Do patients at W. Reed have access to the net? Be great to write these guys and girls.
I'm sure the Walter Reed patients love having some feet on the street that tell the truth, and don't buy the MSM/Liberal B.S.-carpet bombing.
Great report...God bless our troops and the great Freepers who support them.
Loved seeing the visit from Joel!
Keep it going, Guys and Gals!!!
TG A20
I hope Joel gets to read this and knows how much we honor and respect him and his fellow warriors.
What an honor for you guys to meet Joel!!
Yall do good work.
Yes, the ambulatory patients out of acute care all have Internet in their rooms, and some of us do spend time finding ways to disseminate the FreeRepublic.com URL, keyword Walter Reed, so they can read about our rallies. Regarding personal email, we try to be sensitive to their privacy concerns as they are recovering, and so do not give out any email addresses we may learn.
We hear tell that we are read by troops in the field, also. Here's one of our past After-Action Reports about that: AIRBORNE OFFICER: "WHEN WE'RE IN IRAQ, WE KNOW YOU'RE HERE." Walter Reed FReep # 73, Sep 8 06
I hope so, too. I hated to be late posting the report. Joel, if you're out there reading, thanks for the fantastic story! Come visit us any time.
It brings tears to my eyes seeing such wonderful patriotism and kindness. Thanks fellow FReepers.
We are more than compensated by the soldiers' looks of joy or expressions of gratitude — what little we do is such nothing compared to their hard work and sacrifice for all of us. Besides, we have so much fun!
We are also aware of, and grateful for, the interest, readership, comments, bumps and pings of all you FReepers out there. It makes a huge difference to us and to the troops. Thank you, all!
BTTT
Always the best. BTTT!
AWESOME and FUNNY!
“Joyful Earful” love that explanation for a feeling I always get!
Thanks for the great AAR.
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.
