[Bob J]

Ouch.

[NautiNurse]

Thanks for giving your time and effort! Please do not let this unfortunate experience deter you from future opportunities to show your support for our great nation!

[Temple Owl]

I believe you!

We got there early and watched as others tried to get in as we were leaving.

I asked a state trooper for a crowd estimate and he wouldn't even guess. The place was crammed and jammed and people--including you-- were still trying to get in after it was all over.

For those of us who were able to attend it was a wonderful day!

We met Freepers --Baseballmom, Abner, Victim of Circumstance, Taxman, and they were just as nice in person as they are on the net.

The American Flag balloon went up, the signs were great, and we met heroes galore--including several decorated World War ll infantrymen. Let me repeat myself it was a wonderful day. I am sorry you missed it.

[Think free or die]

We had a similar experience, except we gave up before the shuttle bus excursion. We got to the Valley Forge interchange by 12:30 and sat in traffic until we go to the parking area at 2. Seeing the long lines for the shuttle, I took my 7-year old son home rather than endure more waiting. We listened to 1210 on the radio in hopes of hearing the rally or getting an update on the logistical problems, but had no luck with either. The only update was a caller who was at VF and reported that shuttles were no longer taking people to the rally (at about 2:15). The yakkers at 1210 promised to find out what was happening, but didn't report anything more on the issue before we got home shortly before 3.

We were very disappointed to miss the event, but were happy that there was a big turnout. I just hope the news will cover it . . .

[cake_crumb]

You were turned away because there were too many people??

[Mo1]

Sorry you didn't make .. there sure was a lot of traffic, that's for sure

I ended up parking up the road on a side street and then walked down to the park

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

I assume we were turned away because of too many people

What a shame. Had so many people they had to turn people away. It's a crime I tell ya.

I got an idea for you next Sunday. Go stand in front of your local United Methodist Church or Roman Catholic Church with a sign that says "God Bless the Peace Makers -- Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard." Their leadership seems to be confused as to who the bad guy is in all of this.

FtH good thing you stuck close by your bed.

[itsnevertoolate]

We had almost the same experience only we never made it on a bus. We got off the turnpike at 12:00 and thought we would have plenty of time to get there until we hit the traffic jam at the toll booths. We crept along for the next hour and a half, getting to the shuttle area at 1:30 (about a mile from the toll booth). We saw the enormous line for the bus, but stayed anyway. We couldn't believe how few shuttles they had. Around 2:00 a bus came back, unloaded, and the folks said they couldn't handle any more people at the rally site. We had an impromptu rally of our own, singing patriotic songs, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and honoring the families of those in harm's way. Many of us went out to Gulph Road to show the colors and make our presence known to the public. Almost everyone going by was supportive - a lot of horns honking, waving, and cheering.

The photos are all from the staging area. I'm holding the flag in the first shot.

[A Navy Vet]

Were the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge involved at all?

[SauronOfMordor]

Got to the parking lot with DaughterOfMordor a little after 1pm. There were 3,000 waiting for the bus. At about 1:50 they announced that the rally area was full and no more busloads would be transported

We got into the car and drove to the rally site about 7 miles away. Bumper-to-bumper traffic for miles before the site, with people walking beside the road with rally signs the whole way. We arrive as the rally is starting to break up at 2:50pm. I drop off DaughterOfMordor and try to find a parking spot up the road, finding one vacated by a departing attendee.

I asked one cop, and he estimated 8-10,000 people showed up. Awesome. Getting back to the car later and getting back to the highway was another long expedition.

Bottom line: the event organizers WAY underestimated how many people would show up. The beautiful weather probably helped attendence

[scrantonrally]

We have a good rally planning here, and Get ready to gather with some true American patriots in Downtown Scranton to show support for our United States military troops and to stand behind America and our Leaders. Bring your flags, don your red, white and blue, bring your supportive signs and gather with the rest of us to show our troops, our country and the world your support. The directions to the rally on our site we have many great speakers. For more info email me at info@scrantonrally.com

[Sara Of Earth †]

We got there at 10:30 this AM. Parked at the Girl Scout HQ. and walked around till it got hot. If you didn't get there early, you couldn't get in late.

A lot more people than I expected showed up and was glad I waited it out.