SUPPORT OUR TROOPS: PATRIOTS RALLY FOR AMERICA III, SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 2003 IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

D.C. Chapter ^ | Friday, January 3, 2003 | Kristinn

[kristinn]

The D.C. Chapter of Free Republic and MOVE-OUT! (Marines and Other Veterans Engaging Outrageous Un-American Traitors!) call all FReepers and lurkers in good standing, veterans and other patriotic Americans to join us in our nation's capital on Saturday, January 18, 2003 to show support for the men and women serving in our Armed Forces, and our Commander-in-Chief, as they continue to fight the war on terrorism and gear up to defend us against out-law regimes like Iraq and North Korea.

The enemy will be taking the field that day in D.C. with an "anti-war" protest organized by the communist front group IAC-A.N.S.W.E.R. with a rally at the Capitol (3rd Street on the Mall) and a march past the Marine Barracks at 8th and I Streets, SE, that finishes at the Washington Navy Yard, 8th and M Streets, SE. Mapquest Link.

Our purpose in gathering is to offer a peaceful, patriotic counter-point to the anti-American leftists who will be spewing their hatred and venom against what they call "America's war machine"--and what we call "the defenders of freedom."

We will muster from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at Constitution Gardens which is right next to The Wall at 21st Street and Constitution Avenue, NW on the Mall.Mapquest Link.

At 10:30, we will fall out and proceed on foot and via Metro or cars to the Marine Barracks at 8th and I Streets, SE. There, we will line the sidewalk along 8th Street and exercise our rights as citizens to observe the public parade by the leftists and to peacefully offer our opinion of it. You should plan on being there until at least 2 or 3 p.m.

We are asking folks to bring American and Gadsden flags, large and small, and their service colors. Also bring signs with messages supporting our troops and America.

As always, the D.C. Chapter's rules for demonstrating will be in effect: No violence, no racism, no profanity, no threats, no provocations, obey the law and treat all law enforcement officers with respect.

We expect the leftists to be peaceful, however there are always a few yahoos who like to stir up trouble. Let the law enforcement officers take care of them. They are experts at crowd control and are there to ensure that everyone's rights are respected.

More details will be announced in the days ahead. We are awaiting approval for our permit at Constitution Gardens, which should come in a few days.

Here is a link to the thread on FR's USO Canteen with the e-mail message from MOVE-OUT!

[Doctor Raoul]

HOW TO USE METROBUS AND METRORAIL (SUBWAY)

METROBUS

You can call Metro Information at 202-637-7000 between 6:00 am and 11:30 p.m., seven days a week. Metro information can tell you how to use the bus and subway to travel between any two points in the metropolitan area.

A red and white flag on top of a white pole designate bus stops. Bus fare is $1.10 during rush and non-rush hours. Transfers are free for 2 hours.

INTERNET METRO TRIP PLANNER:
http://rideguide.wmata.com/


METRORAIL (SUBWAY)

Constitution Gardens, next to the Vietnam Memorial, is within walking distance of Foggy Bottom GWU Metrorail Station at 23rd St NW & Eye St NW. Exiting the station, walk south on 23rd St to Constitution Ave (lettered streets count down, C Street is just before Constitution), turn left and go about two blocks.

Marine Barracks is within easy walking distance (four blocks south) of the Metro's Eastern Market Station (blue/orange lines) at Pennsylvania and 8th Street, SE. Come up the escalator, and walk forward across the plaza to 8th St., SE. Take a right on 8th Street, and go 4 blocks south.

The website for Metro is: http://www.wmata.com or http://www.metroopensdoors.com.

Known as the "Metro," Greater DC's subway system is clean, safe, efficient and fairly inexpensive. The Metro can take you to most areas of the city at a cost of $1.10 to $1.60. The subway also extends to many suburban areas.. Subway stops are marked on the street by tall black poles with the letter "M" imprinted on the sides. There are also colored stripes on the pole, which indicate what lines are located at the stop (red, orange, blue, green or yellow). Transfer points on the system are indicated by "bulls-eye" symbols (larger circles) on the maps. Metrorail begins service at 5:30 a.m. and ends service at 12 midnight (2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Trains run every few minutes during rush hour, and are somewhat slower during non-rush hour (about 12-15 minutes). Transfers are free within Metrorail, 25 cents for a transfer to Metrobus.

Metro stations are marked by large brown columns. The colored strips indicate the lines served by the station.

You need a farecard, or one day pass to ride Metrorail. Farecards and one day passes can be purchased at the stations.

EACH PERSON MUST HAVE THEIR OWN FARECARD.

Feed the card to the turnstile, depending on the model of turnstile, it either comes back out the same slot or a slot on the top. When removed, it opens the “gate”. You feed the card to the turnstiles entering and exiting.

Your fare is calculated and deducted upon exiting the Metro. Unused money on your fare card can be “cashed in” at the same machine used to purchase fare cards.

Follow the signs to your platform. Flashing lights at the platform's edge let you know a train is coming.

The train's destination is displayed over the train's front and side windows. The line color is displayed on the front and back of the trains.

• METRO SYSTEM MAP:
  http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm
  
  
• METRO BASICS (FARES, HOURS BUSES, TRAINS)
  http://www.wmata.com/riding/using_metro.cfm
  
  
• HOW TO RIDE METRORAIL
  http://www.wmata.com/riding/using_metro.cfm
  
  
• HOW TO RIDE METROBUS:
  http://www.wmata.com/metrobus/riding_metrobus.cfm
  
  
• METRO TRIP PLANNER:
  http://rideguide.wmata.com/
  
  
• LIST OF METROSTATIONS:
  (When you select a station, “StationMasters Online” link at bottom will provide a local Station Map and Photo)
  http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/stations.cfm
  

[68 grunt]

Most excellent information!

[Doctor Raoul]

WE FORM UP AT 9 AM AT CONSTITUTION GARDENS NEXT TO THE VIETNAM MEMORIAL, BUT HERE ARE DIRECTIONS TO EIGHT AND I FOR THOSE WHO NEED TO GO DIRECTLY THERE.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO MARINE BARRACKS:

From I-95 North:

• Take I-95 South. At around milepost 22, I-95 South merges with the I-495 outer loop around DC, becoming I-95 South/I-495. Take Exit 22 “TO I-295 SOUTH”
• Take I-295 South into the District of Columbia
  
• Exit Right at Exit 4 "TO I-395/WASHINGTON/NAVY YARD/DOWNTOWN"
  
• Stay Left "TO I-395/DOWNTOWN"
  
• Take the "8TH ST SE" Exit
  
• At the end of the ramp, take a left onto I Street SE
  
• Take your second right onto 8th Street SE
  
• Marine Barracks will be two blocks down.

From I-95 South:

• Take I-95 North. At around milepost 170, I-95 North merges with the I-495 loop around DC, becoming I-95 North/I-495. Take Exit 2 “TO I-295 NOUTH”
  
• Take I-295 North into the District of Columbia
  
• Exit Right at Exit 4 "TO I-395/WASHINGTON/NAVY YARD/DOWNTOWN"
  
• Stay Left "TO I-395/DOWNTOWN"
  
• Take the "8TH ST SE" Exit
  
• At the end of the ramp, take a left onto I Street SE
  
• Take your second right onto 8th Street SE
  
• Marine Barracks will be two blocks down.

From I-295 North (or South):

• Take I-295 North (or South) into the District of Columbia
  
• Exit Right at Exit 4 "TO I-395/WASHINGTON/NAVY YARD/DOWNTOWN"
  
• Stay Left "TO I-395/DOWNTOWN"
  
• Take the "8TH ST SE" Exit
  
• At the end of the ramp, take a left onto I Street SE
  
• Take your second right onto 8th Street SE
  
• Marine Barracks will be two blocks down.

From I-395 South:

• Take I-395 North into the District of Columbia
  
• Cross the 14th Street Bridge, staying right on the bridge ("I-395")
  
• After the Bridge, stay Left, following signs ("TO I-295")
  
• Take the "6TH ST SE" Exit
  
• At the end of the ramp, take a left onto 6th Street SE
  
• Take your first right onto G Street SE
  
• Go two blocks, and take a right onto 8th St., SE
  
• Marine Barracks will be one block down.

FROM I-66:

• Take I-66 East into DC.
  
• Crossing the Potomac, follow signs for US 50/Constitution Ave.
  
• Follow Constitution Ave to 7th ST NW and make right.
  
• Take 7th to Independence and make a left.
  
• Take Independence to Pennsylvania Ave and make a right.
  
• Take Pennsylvania to Eigth and make a right.
  
• Take Eight four blocks to I St.

[Doctor Raoul]

I'll be bundling the various information posts above into one complete list later. It's just here now for people to get a head start on specific needs.

If you have an email list, please wait for the BIG LIST before your distruibute the info.

Thanks.

[Doctor Raoul]

DIRECTIONS TO CONSTITUTION GARDENS/VIETNAM MEMORIAL

FROM I-95 NORTH OF WASHINGTON:

• Take I-95 South. At Exit 27, merge onto CAPITAL BELTWAY/I-495 WEST toward SILVER SPRING.
  
• Follow I-495 to Exit 43 and take GEORGE WASHINGTON MEMORIAL PARKWAY. (Parkway is a “T” intersection with I-495, so there’s no North, South, East, or West needed in the directions here.)
  
• Follow GEORGE WASHINGTON MEMORIAL PARKWAY, just past Key Bridge Exit, take Roosevelt Bridge - US 50 EAST Exit towards WASHINGTON.
  
• Stay in center lanes of bridge and follow US 50 EAST signs to Constitution Ave.
  
• Once on Constitution, look for available parking at Lincoln Memorial.

FROM I-95 SOUTH OF WASHINGTON:

• Take I-95 North. At Exit 170A (left lane exit) take I-395 NORTH toward WASHINGTON.
  
• Crossing the 14th Street Bridge (a/k/a Williams Bridge), stay to the left and take the left fork on the other side, US-1 NORTH (14th Street).
  
• At second light after Independence Ave, take a left on Madison Drive, go 50 yards to 15th St and make a right on 15th Street.
  
• Take 15th Street to next full intersection and make a left on Constitution Ave.
  
• Note “The Ellipse” (park) on your right. Start looking at parking spots here. You may have to double back and park here if spots are scarce closer to the Vietnam Memorial.

FROM I-395 SOUTH OF WASHINGTON:

• See “From I-95 South” and skip first step.

FROM I-270 NORTH AND WEST OF WASHINGTON:

• Take I-270 SOUTH to I-270 SPUR SOUTH toward I-495 SOUTH toward NORTHERN VIRGINIA.
  
• Follow I-495 to Exit 43 and take GEORGE WASHINGTON MEMORIAL PARKWAY. (Parkway is a “T” intersection with I-495, so there’s no North, South, East, or West needed in the directions here.)
  
• Follow GEORGE WASHINGTON MEMORIAL PARKWAY, just past Key Bridge Exit, take Roosevelt Bridge - US 50 EAST Exit towards WASHINGTON.
  
• Stay in center lanes of bridge and follow US 50 EAST signs to Constitution Ave.
  
• Once on Constitution, look for available parking at Lincoln Memorial.

FROM I-66 WEST OF WASHINGTON:

• Take I-66 EAST to WASHINGTON all the way into DC. You will cross the Potomac River on Roosevelt Bridge.
  
• Stay in center lanes of bridge and follow US 50 EAST signs to Constitution Ave.
  
• Once on Constitution, look for available parking at Lincoln Memorial.

FROM US-50 WEST (MARYLAND)

• Take US 50 East into DC. Inside DC, US-50 is called New York Ave.
  
• Stay to the right as you go straight BY the entrance for I-395.
  
• At 7th Street NW, make a left.
  
• Go down to Constitution Ave and make a right.
  
• At 15th St, note “The Ellipse” (park) on your right. Start looking at parking spots here. You may have to double back and park here if spots are scarce closer to the Vietnam Memorial.
  

[FreeTheHostages]

Your assignment will be to protect FreetheHostages... or is it the other way around?

Ahem -- I definitely bigger than him. But for my protection, I stand beside Jimmy Valentine's Brother. He's alert, smart, big. So are lots of others -- like leadpenny etc. -- but they're often moving around, receiving intelligence and doing things. Jimmy plants himself in one place with his sign rather reliably. So I can, when the going gets tough, rather reliably stand beside him!

[FreeTheHostages]

Yeah, thanks for the posts, interesting to read, 68 grunt!

[Doctor Raoul]

WATER & FOOD

Plan for needing plenty of water regardless of temperature. Either bring it or buy it on site. Recommend you eat a banana or two for potassium to avoid cramps while walking.

CONSTITUTION GARDENS/VIETNAM MEMORIAL: The side streets off Constitution Ave have plenty of food trucks and carts. There is also a snack bar between the Korean War Memorial and Independence Ave.

ROUTE OF MARCH: Along the route to 8th and I Streets, before we pass the Capitol, there will be food trucks, especially next to the museums on Independence Ave.

MARINE BARRACKS: Those going directly to 8th and I Streets will find a variety of restaurants and shops conveniently located along the way to the "Oldest Post of the Corps" mostly on Penn Ave and on I Street.

A map from the Barracks Row Business Alliance web site http://www.barracksrow.org/map.html shows numerous restaurants along I Street from G Street down to the Marine Barracks and beyond.

STRONGLY SUGGEST NO CONSUMPTION OF “ADULT BEVERAGES” UNTIL AFTER COMPLETION OF DUTIES..

For those wishing to compile after action reports or renew friendships over food and drink, here are the FAST FOODS and RESTAURANTS along I Street (Name followed by house number, i.e., 417 = 417 I St SE)

FAST FOODS


• Pizzeria Bolis 417
  
• Capitol City Subs 751
  
• Today's Pizza 531
  
• Subway 430
  
• Al's Seafood 1003
  
• Popeye's 409


RESTAURANTS


• Ellington's on 8th St. 424
  
• Port Café 1102
  
• Banana Café 500
  
• Trattoria Alberto 506
  
• Batchelor's Mill/ Backdoor Pub 1104
  
• Mickey's Patio 406
  
• The Lounge 1110
  
• China Wall 415
  
• Phase One 525
  
• Firehouse Café 423
  
• Sheridan's 713
  
• Las Placitas #3 723
  
• Starfish Café 537
  
• Las Placitas I 517
  
• Szechuan House 515
  
• Marty's Grill (opening soon) 529

Restaurants nearby acording to the Washington Post web site at http://eg.washingtonpost.com/search?type=grid&flavor_id=2&lat=388846&long=-769962&miles=.5&context=restaurants.


RESTROOMS

At Constitution Gardens, there are facilities at the Lincoln Memorial and at the Washington Memorial.

While going to 8th and I Streets, there are restrooms in the museums along the Independence Ave. The museums do not charge admission.

No known facilities at 8th and I Streets SE.

Recommend that you utilize restrooms whenever available to avoid the need later.

[Ligeia]

[68 grunt]

Twelve days away bump.

[68 grunt]

Thanks for the valuable info, Doc. Great stuff.

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

So I can, when the going gets tough, rather reliably stand beside him!

As always I will gladly be your sword and buckler.

[Doctor Raoul]

YOu're welcome. I have one more post on assorted stuff.

[hellinahandcart]

Over here.

[tgslTakoma]

Looks like we've cycled out of Breaking News; so... I'm bumpin' this thread, to try and keep it visible (for a few minutes at least, in latest posts) to any recently arriving Marines and others who may be interested in coming to DC for the Rally on January 18th.

Doctor Raoul has done a lot of work, compiling all kinds of travel, lodging, transport, food, etc., information for those hardy souls who want to do more than just sit at home and stew about the radical left...communists/marxists/socialists who are again coming to take over our nation's Capital city and the airwaves, while their true motives remain cloaked in secrecy.

It doesn't look like the major news media is going to do any work investigating the rotting roots of the so-called "anti-war movement", so it is our duty to make it known.

I'm praying for not-freezing weather, but no matter... I'll be there.

BTTT!

[hellinahandcart]

I'll be there too. :)

[hellinahandcart]

recently arriving Marines

Yes, I just found one on another thread. They may be having trouble finding this now that it's dropped off the sidebar.

[tgslTakoma]

If it's cold enough, we'll all resemble the Michelin Man, with all our layers of clothes.

I wonder if the local constabulary would let us bring an empty oil drum so we can build a fire in it? Lots of Christmas trees along the curbs around here.

It's OK, Angelwood... I'm just kidding. I think.

[hellinahandcart]

morning bump

[MudPuppy]

OK, I'm planning on being there with Hubby and the kids. All this info is great.
Please recommend best course of arrival from Fredericksburg, VA. I'm thinking Metro because parking always sucks in DC. Unless you have some specific suggestions.
Am I correct in reading that the initial meeting place is the Wall?
Thanks for all your efforts!

BTTT

Semper Fidelis!