Posted on 08/29/2011 6:49:51 PM PDT by kburi
We knew it was coming and planned for it.
For six years and four months of consecutive Friday evenings, the DC Chapter of Free Republic, other groups and individuals successfully challenged Code Pink and their union pawns in front of Walter Reed. After several months, they were forced from the Walter Reed front gates to a location 50 yards down Georgia Ave.
Since June 2005, many Americans have gathered on Friday nights to continue to keep the anti-military forces away and to show support to the wounded warriors and their families.
Tonight, then, was different from all others. Walter Reed will close its gates tomorrow, Saturday, when the last 24 critical care patients are taken by ambulance to Bethesda Naval Hospital.
Twenty FReepers and Lurkers turned out for the final Friday in very good weather. There were no ambulances bringing in the wounded, nor was there a dinner bus for wounded warriors to welcome back.
Many of the cars leaving Walter Reed had supplies or suitcases in the back seats. Soldiers moving to new quarters.
There were a lot of honks and waves from passing cars. This stretch of Georgia Ave will be strangely quiet on Friday nights from now on.
New England Patriot made it even though he is recovering from pneumonia, kudos to him! We were also joined by Elizabeth and Leticia. Elizabeth is the mother of a wounded warrior who is recovering from wounds. We have gotten to know her and her son, and wish both of them the best. Elizabeth’s friend, Leticia, is a counselor for wounded warriors, and has worked at Walter Reed for 30 years.
After securing the flags, signs and banners for the last time, Trooprally thought we should celebrate the final Friday evening with a little champagne which we did. Sensei Ern proclaimed “ Mission Accomplished”.
Tomorrow morning at 6:30 am, Saturday, we will be at Walter Reed to salute the final 24 critical care wounded warriors who are being transported to Bethesda. There will be a separate after action report for the final move.
It’s appropriate to express our great appreciation to all those who have participated with us or have expressed support in after action reports or by email. Along the way we have met many fine Americans who all care about this country and our fine soldiers.
While there are no immediate plans for the future, the DC Chapter of Free Republic will continue to hold Recruiter Appreciation Days, to counter anti-military demonstrations in the DC area and work individually with wounded warriors as volunteers when we can.
Some members of the DC Chapter along with an American Legion Post have been countering an anti -military protest in Olney, Md for almost six years.
Meanwhile, let none of us forget our soldiers and their families. There is still much to do in supporting them.
Let’s do it.
To see After Action Reports beginning in March 2005, please check BufordP’s Walter Reed Freep Archives :
Mr. and Mrs Trooprally, 3D-Joy, CindyTrueSupporter, Fraxinus, Kburi, New England Patriot, RonGKirby, SenseiErn, TammyCat, ToleranceSucksRocks, VictoryNY, Lurkers Bill, Bryan, Jim, Kim and Terry. Visitors Elizabeth and Leticia.
Moonbat News
Four moonbats tonight. Very Quiet. All left promptly at 9 pm.
Removed by the DC Chapter of FRee Republic from the front gates of Walter Reed in January 2006, Code Pink and this union crew never made it back to the front gate of Walter Reed.
They spent the following six years exiled down the block and virtually out of sight.
FOOTNOTES
Laticia, Elizabeth and CindyTrueSupporter
RonGKirby, Kburi and Jim 
Fraxinus and ToleranceSucksRocks
NewEnglandPatriot – Rolling Up the Ranger Flag 
Tomorrow, August 27, 2011, the Final 24 Wounded Warriors
Will Leave Walter Reed Through These Gates
On Their Way To Bethesda
Maryland PING!
I salute you one and all for your stead-fast commitment.
I know those who each of you have supported, prayed for, honored, took time out of your lives for, sincerely Thank Each of You. Heartfelt tears for the moral boost each of you have meant to our troops and our Military. Job Well Done! Job Well Done Indeed!
Good work you guys, for keeping this labor of love going for so many years! I salute you! Mission accomplished!
My screen is all blurry...remembering all the nights we met to honor our injured troops, and accepting these nights have finally come to an end.
Lots of other projects have been made a permanent part of my life through this continuing event. I will participate in them, always remembering and honoring the Free Republic Patriots I have gained as FRiends.
There goes the screen again...hope it is clear on your end!
Thanks tgslTakoma,
You were one of the first Freepers to start this!
The first Walter Reed counter protest was on 4/15/05.
The original Walter Reed FReepers were: tgslTakoma, kristinn, Doctor Raoul, hellinahandcart, sauropod, Jimmy Valentine’s brother, BufordP, and BillF.
bttt
Big thank you to all the DC Patriot/Freepers who stood every Friday in support of our wounded warriors!
Sending hugs from Florida! God Bless you all, and God Bless our Military!
Hey Takoma, good to see you are still around. Long time no hear and .....
For all you don’t know, Takoma made the 1st two MOABs and had a hand in the 3rd generation MOAB. Thanks and take care.
[Mr] T
Thank you DC freepers. I wish I could have made this last rally. For those of you who never made one you have no idea the great company you have missed. Many people will be eternally grateful for you guys standing watch over our troops. God Bless you!!
Friends?? I thought we are “adopted” family. We will meet again and often.
I remember our first meeting in the summer of ‘06. It was at Arlington Cemetery countering Westboro Church. You showed up in a wheel chair after your car accident. Now that is dedication.
[Mr] T
First to the fight but joined by many others.
Glad to have been part of the Freepers! I only went one Friday night, but I will never forget it! Thanks to all!
JoysKid
Tour presence was still welcomed. Since our crowds were small, but always larger than the moonbats, you did not get lost among us. Good conversation and friendship was the rule of the evening.
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule while you were here and “loaning” us your mom.
[Mr] T
As I sat at our rally in Studio City that night, you folks were on my mind. As I looked at the time, I realized that you would be wrapping up right about then. I called my boyfriend over to pass that along. We were there with you in spirit, as we have been over the years. Your steadfastness, even through all kinds of weather continues to be an inspiration to this day. All of you should be proud of the completed mission and the manner it was done in. God bless everyone as you go forward in your endeavors! Hopefully someone will pick up the mission in Bethesda.
Forever grateful.
Deborah Leigh
former Army Sgt
continuing rallies on Friday night in Studio City, CA and
Sunday afternoon in Woodland Hills, CA
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