Report: Week 44 Supporting Our Wounded Warriors at Walter Reed, 2/17/06 - Please join us on Feb 24!

February 24, 2006

[tgslTakoma]

Last Friday was the beginning of the "President's Day" holiday weekend, but it was also "Walter Reed Day" for a hardy bunch of folks. We had a smaller than usual group of Freepers and friends who support our troops and their mission this night. The traffic seemed lighter than usual for a Friday night. The weather was cold and the winds were gusty, but that didn't stop us from waving flags and signs; though we did have to cancel the deployment of the MOAB.

Luckily for us, Albion Wilde had been working hard all week on her special project - she had made two fabulous smaller banners for us to place on our corners. Take a look at them, here and here.

Early in the Freep, a group of around six college kids (from GW University) arrived who wanted to know where the lefties were. They hadn't heard that Code Pink had neglected to renew their permits weeks ago and had been forced to move down to the middle of the block, into the shadows, to stage their blood dance. The kids hung out with us for a while, but later went down to Code Pink's location to debate issues and politics with them. I didn't go down there with them, so can't report to you what went on. I'll let those who were there fill you in.

One of the GW students was none other than Freeper GaryL's son, the Director of Political Affairs for the GW College Republicans, who had arranged the very successful Ann Coulter visit to GW on February 10th.

Not only did we have students from George Washington University join us on the street, none other than George Washington himself stopped by with his own message of encouragement for our wounded warriors. "His" presence on the streetcorner brought lots of horn honks and waves, and some delighted smiles from kids and adults in passing autos.

Some more photo links from last Friday night...

Tom the Redhunter and Jimmy Valentine's brother held the NW corner.

BufordP, a returning lurker and Mr. trooprally held the SW corner.

Maica joined the first GW in holding the NE corner.

Other Freepers who were there and who managed to hide from my camera were: BillF, Justanobody, Mrs trooprally, Plea Deal, sonofTGSL and his friend, Albion Wilde and Landry Fan. Kristinn worked late and arrived as we were breaking things down. If I have forgotten anyone on this list, please let me know (and accept my apologies in advance) - my memory isn't as sharp as it once was. :-)

The first bus to arrive at WRAMC was the smaller DAV bus, and we waited around for the big bus... we finally concluded (incorrectly, it turned out) that the big bus wasn't in use this night because of the hoiday weekend. Well, we concluded wrong, and almost as soon as we had all our signs and flags down, here came the bus! So we grabbed signs and flags and waved them from just one corner this night. Sorry guys, we won't let that happen again.

Earlier in the evening I walked down to take some photos of the Code PinkOs; again from across the street. Their leaders had been MIA for a couple of weeks, so I was interested in finding out if they had abandoned the WRAMC protest and left it for their lefty foot soldiers to deal with the cold and the crappy new low-visibility location. Gael Murphy was back, and wasn't looking too perky, either. Kevin McCarron was back also, and he was sticking to his assigned duty of holding the one real American flag on their side. And it appears that Allison Yorra was there also, fighting frantically with the wind, to hold onto her big banner. The numbers of lefties willing to join the protest have been dwindling for months now, and the "vigil" is populated by only their hard core group... One woman in that group has been dragging a very elderly woman in a wheelchair out into the cold weekly. Incredible.

[tgslTakoma]

After 44 weeks, most of you know all the particluars, but I'll repeat them just in case:

WHERE: Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 7200 Georgia Ave., at Elder St., NW - ALL FOUR CORNERS OF THE INTERSECTION!

WHEN: 6:30pm until 10pm-ish

WHY: To show the wounded warriors and their families and friends at Walter Reed that mainstream Americans do care about them, appreciate greatly their sacrifice, and that we support them and their mission.

As always, the DC Chapter's rules for protesting will be in effect.

Briefly, they are: No violence. No profanity. No racism. No provocations. Obey the law. Treat all law enforcement officers with respect.

On street parking is usually easy to find. Location is about 6 or 7 blocks from the Takoma metro station and is walkable, but it is best if you get a ride. If you want a ride, FReepmail tgslTakoma and BillF, preferably with your cell phone number as far in advance as possible. We'll do our best to arrange a ride from the Takoma Metro station for you.

It's going to be cold again tonight - around 30 degrees, with some wind (up to 10mph), so dress warmly. It will be too cold for pizza tonight, so if you can't grab a bite to eat on your way, maybe we can make a run to McDonalds up the street. I will have urns of hot coffee and hot water for cocoa, tea and decaf, to help keep us warm.

Please join us if you can.

[tgslTakoma]

A very last-minute DC Chapter ping...

[tgslTakoma]

We had the pleasure of meeting your son last week. Ask him if he'd like to recount for us on this thread, his experience "chatting" with the lefties last week.

[trooprally]

Great Report.
I will be there tonight,but Mr T is under the Weather now.
See you later.
[Mrs]

[AGreatPer]

Best of luck tonight. With you in spirit.

[DollyCali]

Good luck & wish I could be with you BUMP!

how did it go at the Denmark embassy yesterday? if there was a thread, I missed it as I am not on a lot of ping lists...

[Landry Fan]

I'm sick and won't make it tonight.

Here are some more pictures from last Friday and a link to Gunn Nutt's report.

http://landrys-life-blog.blogspot.com/2006/02/outside-walter-reed-february-17-06.html

Everyone dress for cold weather.

[basil]

As usual, I have to get second hand thrills by reading about all the fun you have. This event sounds like it was most excellent--having "George" show up was a stroke of genius.

Thanks to all you brave souls for your service to the troops. I'm sure they look forward to Friday nights!

Keep up your good work!

[carrier-aviator]

Is this every Friday night?

[tgslTakoma]

I KNEW I would forget someone...

JoyjoyfromNJ drove down (from NJ) to stand with us, and I forgot to put her name in the Honor Roll.

Please accept my apologies, Joyjoy. My brain musta froze.

Thank you for "going the distance" for our wounded warriors!

[tgslTakoma]

Every Friday night, since March 30, 2005.

[tgslTakoma]

Join us if you're in the area. Dress WARM!

[Landry Fan]

Jack Deth was there too. He arrived toward the end.

[trooprally]

You get better!! Ping! It will only be me Mr T unedr the
Weather
[Mrs]

[BufordP]

Every WR Freep report in reverse order:

• Report: Week 44 Supporting Our Wounded Warriors at Walter Reed, 2/17/06 - Please join us on Feb 24!
• Report: Week 43 Supporting Our Wounded Warriors at Walter Reed, 2/10/06 - Please join us on Feb 17!
• WALTER REED FReep, Week 42, Feb 3 (Uncle Sam Needs You Feb 10!)
• Code Pink Leader Has Tantrum at Walter Reed - 01/27/06
  4 CORNER FReep 41 at Walter Reed, Jan 27 (Heavy graphics, Join us Feb 3!)
• (Freep 40) Code Pink Retreats from Walter Reed-Freepers Win!
  The Pinkos Sound the Retreat! (at TheRedHunter.com)
• FReep 39 at Walter Reed, Jan 13 (Heavy graphics, Join us Jan 20!)
• FReep 38 at Walter Reed, CODE PINK CAUGHT STEALING AND LYING, Jan 6 (Graphics, Join us Jan 13!)
  Code Pink & Kevin McCarron Caught Pink-Handed Stealing Marine Parents' Sign at Walter Reed (Jan 6, 2006)
  Rep. Murtha Working With Code Pink to Undermine Morale of Wounded at Walter Reed (Jan 10, 2006)
• FReep 37 of Code Pink at Walter Reed, Dec 30 (Heavy graphics, Join us Jan 6!)
• FReep 36 of Code Pink at Walter Reed, Dec 23 (Heavy graphics, Join us Dec 30!)
  End of the Year at Walter Reed (report on Code Pink and FReepers with pictures)
• FReep 35 of Code Pink at Walter Reed, Dec 16 (Heavy graphics, Join us Dec 23!)
• FReep 34 of Code Pink at Walter Reed, Dec 9 (Heavy graphics, Join us Dec 16!)
• Walter Reed, Week 33: FREEPERS 29, ICE COLD PINKOS 11 (Join Us Tonight, Dec. 9!)
• FReep 32 of Code Pink at Walter Reed, Nov 25 (Heavy graphics, Join us Dec 2!)
• FReep 31 of Code Pink at Walter Reed, Nov 18 (Heavy graphics, Join us Nov 25!)
• FReep 30 of Code Pink at Walter Reed, Nov 11 (Heavy graphics, Join us Nov 18!)
• FReep 29 of Code Pink at Walter Reed, Nov 4 (Heavy graphics, Join us Nov 11!)
• FReep 28 of Code Pink at Walter Reed, Oct 28 (Pinkos Prolong War, Heavy graphics, Join us Nov 4!)
• FReep 27 of Code Pink at Walter Reed, Oct 21 (Heavy graphics, Join us Oct 28!)
• FReep 26 of Code Pink at Walter Reed, Oct 14 (Heavy graphics, Join us Oct 21!)
• Walter Reed, Week 25: FREEPIN' JUST FREEPIN' IN THE RAIN... (Join Us Oct. 14!)
• WALTER REED FREEP, Week 24: HUG-SEEKING VETERANS REBUFFED BY CODE PINK (Join Us Oct.7!)
• Support Our Troops AND Their Mission, Andi's World [There was no report on the FReep on Free Republic due to 3 days of FR events that weekend, but this great blog has a wonderful report on the event.]
• Wk 22 Report - DC Chapter Defense of Walter Reed Wounded Continues(9/16/05) Join us Sept. 23rd!
• Double-MOAB FReep of Code Pink at Walter Reed, Sept 9 (Heavy graphics, Join us Sept 16!)
• FReep of Code Pink's Quagmire at Walter Reed, Sept 2 (Heavy graphics, Join us Sept 9!)
• WALTER REED HOSPITAL, WEEK 19: MEGAFREEP TROUNCES CODE PINK. AUG 26 (Many photos) – Join Us Sept. 2!
• FReep of Code Pink's Quagmire at Walter Reed, Aug 19 (Heavy graphics, Join us Aug 26!)
• 4-Corner FReep of Code Pink's Quagmire at Walter Reed, Aug 12 (Heavy graphics, Join us Aug 19!)
• 4-Corner FReep of Code Pink's Quagmire at Walter Reed, Aug 5 (Heavy graphics, Join us Aug 12!)
• FReep of Code Pink & Left, July 29 (Heavy graphics, Join us Aug 5!)
• FReepers Keep Code Pink in Quagmire, July 22 (Join us, Double FReep July 29)
• 3 Corner FReep of Code Pink at Walter Reed, July 15 (Heavy graphics, Join us July 22!)
• FReepers vs. Code Pink at Walter Reed, July 8 (Heavy graphics, Join us July 15!)
• FReepers vs. Code Pink at Walter Reed July 1 - Join us July 8!
• FReepers vs. Code Pink at Walter Reed -- Join us July 1!
• FReepers vs. Code Pink at Walter Reed, June 17 (Join us June 24!)
• FReepers vs. Code Pink at Walter Reed, June 3 (Join us June 10!)
• D.C. Chapter v. Code Pink Doubleheader 5/27/05
• Report: D.C. Chapter vs. Code Pink at Walter Reed, Round VI - May 20, 2005
• FReepers vs. Code Pink at Walter Reed (round V)(join us for the May 13 FReep)
• FReepers vs. Code Pink at Walter Reed (round IV w/ Medea & Murphy coming to our side)
• FReepers vs. Code Pink at Walter Reed (Round III and beyond)
• DC Chapter FReeps Code Pink at Walter Reed (2nd Round)
• LIVE ACTION REPORT: Code Pink's Gail Murphy sends thugs into peaceful DC Chapter counterprotest (March 30, 2005)

[tgslTakoma]

AAARRRRGHHHH!!!!

Jack, I apologize for forgetting you, too.

BillF, please tell me that your computer woes are solved and that you will be able to do the reports. Please?! If not, maybe Albion Wilde should be recruited for this week's report.

[trooprally]

We will need it tonight with that wind blowing!!
Thanks.
[Mrs]

[tgslTakoma]

Wow! I'm impressed.

Maybe you should do the report this week, if Bill's computer is still broken.

[tgslTakoma]

Hopefully the wind will die down by tonight. Trash cans are flying all over my neighborhood right now...

[carrier-aviator]

I live in DC. Must have been asleep, though, for I had no idea these meetings were taking place.

Can't make it tonight, but will try to do so on future Fridays.