IAmNotAnAnimal: My thoughts on the Fayetteville, NC "pro-peace" March

me | 03-20-04 | me

[IAmNotAnAnimal]

My thoughts on my first Freep ever today in Fayetteville, NC. I arose early and set out on my two hour journey to Fayetteville. During the course of my trip, I kept going over different scenarios in my mind on responses to any sort of idealogical or factual argument I may have with the other side. I admit I was a little stressed.

arriving, the word was that we would have about 30 FReepers (if lucky), and that there were going to be about 1,500 "peace" people. As we gathered and waved our flags, spoke our mantras, the "enemy" slowly ascended the hill. My anxiety about being quick-witted in response to reasoned arguments rapidly vanished. The rag-tag crew that ascended the hill (about 600-700) people looked to be a mish mash of seasoned citizens wearing torn clothing and trash bags, and junior high school students waving such signs as "My dad is a Navy veteran, and he opposes the war".

Okay, so where's your dad? I can't help but mention the ecletic dancer with black and red hair who was "dancing" to the beat of homemade drums. It made me long for the sixties, even though I was born in 1968. I looked around at the 90, yes 90 Freepers and family assembled, all with flags and signs, reciting the pledge of allegiance, I looked at the Vietnam Vets against John Kerry, the veterans from various wars, the wives, and the babies, and then I had to laugh. Not at us, at them. I saw signs that were very germane from "Affordable Housing" to "Dennis Kuchinic" (who)?, and other such mind provoking drivel. I had to laugh, I just had to.

The reporter asked me if I had lost my legs in combat. I explained to the reporter that I had leg braces on, as exhibited by my very visible feet, that my legs were still there.

We marched behind this stately peaceful crowd where we joined up with our brothers and sisters in leather and on Harleys.

We would have loved to debate the other side, but no one seemed to want to come to "the line" to do that. So, I just watched one misguided veteran from the 101st, who upon weighing roughly 300 pounds shout to us that we didn't "get it". I would've shouted back, but he had already turned and gone down the hill, presumptively to get another hot dog.

The FReepers were great, it was like being amongst old friends, but I had just met them. We all shared in fellowship, and were quick to offer help to those who needed it. I would like to thank all the FReepers who were there for their kindness and patriotism. I am only left with one question - when we got to the park there were about a hundred open black umbrellas laying on the side of the "peace" people, and it wasn;t raining. What gives?

Looking forward to the next one. Ranger out.

[dixie sass]

Vinnie, it was nice to meet you and your lovely wife Saturday. Hope to see y'all at more events.

[dixie sass]

She was hilarious!

[dixie sass]

Hi Ya CCC, wish that you could have put on your wings and flown over to be with us!

Heard that the left coast did good also!

[dixie sass]

That was my favorite and I think it many of the FReepers favorite - it couldn't have been put better.

[dixie sass]

You did good, girl!!!! That was the best response to any of the reporters!

[dixie sass]

Mudboy came and I missed him, drat!

[dixie sass]

How about Zack, Mattma's son?

[dixie sass]

"We never leave our own behind" Amen to that!

[dixie sass]

It was good to see you again Bill, it was a great Freep. We are being heard and that is important!

[perfect stranger]

Thanks for the great job.

I sent a link to this thread to my cousin in Baghdad

He's from Fayettesville, and he laughed at the idea of a bunch of leftists and hippies protesting in the home of the 82nd.

I'm a '68 kid as well.

Thanks again.

[dixie sass]

It was nice meeting you also Clyde and thanks for coming.

[dixie sass]

Looking forward to meeting him. Tell him "Thank you".

[dixie sass]

If I remember correctly the blue support our troops banners was donated by a local group.

[mykdsmom]

Yes, someone from American Sign company made it for us after reading about our scheduled counter protest. They just drove up and handed it to one of us. It was left in Fayetteville for the Rolling Thunder group that meets downtown every Wed. for a anti-war counter protest.

MKM

[clyde asbury]

The warm welcome has been great, from you and everyone else, dixie.

As for the parade of fools,
Did anyone else see deer in the headlights ?

clyde asbury


Nothing so offends the doctrinaire intellectual as our ability to achieve the momentous in a matter-of-fact way, unblessed by words.
Eric Hoffer

[IAmNotAnAnimal]

Don't thank me, I just showed up...Constitution Day and Tax Relief did the lion's share of the prep. rrrod and others brought snacks and soft drinks, we had great speakers, and all in all pretty well organized. I would thank everybody by screen name, but I am keyboard challenged (and competing in an online chess game).

[Mudboy Slim]

The reports are inaccurate...I was down in the Outer Banks last weekend, but I never made it to Fayetteville. Sounds like fun was had by all, though...wish I hadn't missed it!! I see a lotta familiar screen names.

FReegards...MUD

[TaxRelief]

I was down in the Outer Banks last weekend...

I am so jealous!

[funnynurse]

Do you know if they take stragglers?? I live near Fayetteville, have every other Wednesday free. I have seen mention of the protests in the FOB, never heard about the counter protests.

[Taxman]

Thank you for your attendance and your great report, IANAA. It was a pleasure to have met you and FReeped the creeps with you Saturday.

Hope you soon healed and returned to full duty.