Rally For America - Milledgeville, GA....3-8-03

dansangel; eyespysomething

[dansangel]

Today was a great day in the town of Milledgeville, GA. A pro-Military and pro-America rally was organized by fellow FReeper eyespysomething. It took place in front of the courthouse in the downtown historical district.

Approximately 200+ pro-America people turned out for the events which started with a color-guard presentation and various guest speakers. A singer was present, giving wonderful renditions of patriotic songs for the crowd.

There were only 2 anti-American demonstrators present and accounted for. They boldly displayed thier "War for Oil" and anti-president Bush placards at the rear of the crowd.

LBGA, .45MAN and myself arrived late having totally misjudged the ride-time to the rally from Atlanta. We left Norcross, GA at 10:00 a.m. and arrived to the rally at noon, a half-hour after it began. Because of this, I do not have details on who all the speakers were that eyespysomething lined up, but am hoping she'll post additional information to the thread.

LBGA spoke about her son who is stationed overseas and was very clear (directed to the anti-America duo) as to how important it is at this time to support our troops deployed overseas. Another couple with two sons in the Marine Corps. spoke, tearfully asking for prayers for all of the military who are deployed to protect our freedoms.

Let us all take the time each day to pray for our President as well as all of the men and women who are making great sacrifices to ensure that we are free to live in this great country of ours. We ask for the safety and protection of all of our troops. We ask our dear Father to grant comfort to the families and also that no one take our wonderful freedoms for granted. We ask our dear Father to give us the wisdom to thank our military members and to elevate them in daily prayer.

We ask this in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen

[Aquamarine]

We hope to, my hubby has to work the night before and we don't know if he'll get home in time to make it back down there.

[error99]

Milledgeville ... that's my old home town !
Way to go Freepers!
Georgia Military College - class of 1969!

[dansangel]

Let me know. We're trying to organize a spot for all FReepers to meet prior to the rally so we can make a group showing. Also, there's a meeting scheduled after the rally at Jocks and Jills across the street from Centennial Park. FReepmail RobFromGA if/when you think you can make it so he'll add you and hubby to the reservations list.

[dansangel]

{{{{{{{{error99}}}}}}}

And, a beautiful hometown it is!

[LBGA]

It was a great rally, eyespy! I'm impressed with your organizational skills.

During the rally, the lady holding the anti-war sign and I exchanged stares several times. I wanted to see somoeone who would show up at a rally which was billed simply to support our troops. She knew what I thought of her because every time I looked, she was looking back at me. Maybe when I was at the mike to say a few words, she understood why I was looking at her as if she were a cockroach, but I doubt it.

I wouldn't have spoken except for the fact that LinnieBeth pushed me to the frint when they asked for people who had family serving to come forward to say a few words.

I had no idea what to say, but the words came out.

"My son is overseas and I can?t say where he is or what he does, but he is fighting for our freedom, safety and our right to speak freely about our beliefs, even if we disagree. I am glad that 99.9% of the people here today support our troops. Thank you to all who served before, and God Bless our troops."

If it wasn't those exact words, they were close because I wanted to send a message to the anti-war duo. I freeze when asked to speek in public, so I hope I I didn't do the gibberish thing.

Here are some pics that I took.

.45Man and dansangel

Linniebeth and someone I thought was with her... wrong (but welcome to FR)

the crowd, showing eyespysomething below the red arrow

[LBGA]

And I still can't type, but my heart is in the right place. ;-)

[Cicero]

Great stuff. When I hear Milledgeville, I think Flannery O'Connor, one of my favorite writers.

[Angelwood]

I love reading these reports and seeing the pictures of the Rallies for America that are forming across the country. Thanks to all involved in organizing this one. USA USA USA. FReep On!

[dansangel]

{{{{{{Cicero}}}}}}}

Thank-you for the lesson on Flannery O'Connor. I see there's still much I have to learn about the beautiful town that we visited today!

[dansangel]

{{{{{{{LBGA}}}}}}}}

Thank-you for posting your pictures and reiterating your speech. I was so flummoxed with trying to get my camera to work right to get a picture of you, I missed parts of it. Great JOB!

[dansangel]

{{{{{{{Angelwood}}}}}}}}}

Thank-you for the kind words. It means a lot coming from someone as active and involved as you are!

[boltCutter]

Me too. I live in Colorado now. Lots of memories in this post.

[boltCutter]

BTW, Baldwin High School, 1989

[dansangel]

Welcome to FR, boltCutter!

[Aquamarine]

Sounds like fun, hope we can make it down there.

[dansangel]

GA pro-America ping....not sure if you are on my ping list, or not. If so, sorry for the double-ping!

[The Thin Man]

Great job, Georgia FReepers!

[dansangel]

{{{{{{{{{TTM}}}}}}}}}}

Thank-you for the kind words! :-)

[error99]

"...Great stuff. When I hear Milledgeville, I think Flannery O'Connor, one of my favorite writers..."
- - -
When I think of Milledgeville - I think of this...
CVN-70 is named for a U.S. Senator from Milledgeville.

[boltCutter]

Thanks. I bet I might even know the two anti-war protesters. LOL.