Walter Reed FReep #77 - The Return of "Squeegee"

10/10/2006 | PleaDeal, Trooprally

[PleaDeal]

#77 at Walter Reed - October 6, 2006

Last week, bmwcyle stated "It never rains on the DC Chapter" and sure enough his prediction came true! Despite dire predictions from the weather readers of high wind and rain, we stayed dry and delivered our message of thanks to the Wounded Warriors and their families and caregivers. Trooprally [Mr.] wrote nearly all the text content this week (ThanksTR!); I just added pics.

Squeegee was predictably obnoxious. He asked "How's Tom Foley tonight?", "How is Speaker Hastert?", "I hear your leaders killed a lot of our soldiers this week." What a maroon.

Ballerina Man had taken several weeks off, but he's back with his "PTSD" sign tonight. It looks like Gael Murphy may have been there, too.

Oops! My bad - here's Gael before taking on human form for the evening.

The nasty weather seemed to have an encouraging effect on the Code Pink cockroaches who crawled out from under their rocks and produced about a dozen anti-military protesters, including the infamous "Squeegee" dude. Squeegee had to walk past us to get from his rock to the commie gathering. We called out greetings to him but got no response from the lanky lefty who pretended to be talking to his "imaginary" friend on a cell phone.

The whole list of FReepers and FRiends in attendance tonight (* indicates lurkers, PW=Protest Warrior): Bill* from MD, Cindy-true-supporter, Danang68, Freeping_In_Silence, George and Ethel*, ilovew, Jimmy Valentine's Brother, Just A Nobody, Kristinn, olgaesq01, PleaDeal, Taco Mamma, TFroatz, Tolerance Sucks Rocks, Tom the Redhunter and Mamma Redhunter*, Trooprally [Mr. & Mrs].

Here are my pics from the night. Trooprally [Mrs.] are here.

Trooprally [Mr.] had LOTS to say this week:

Slippery pavement caught lots of drivers off guard. We heard tires squealing most of the evening along with lots of honks for the good guys!	This was a real good, but cold week for FReeping at Walter Reed. It rained on the way to Walter Reed but stopped soon after we got there. That was the same story of several other FReepers from Virginia - Rain on the trip, but stopping when they got here. But the temps were down and a good breeze made it colder than most thought. After a winter under our belts at Walter Reed, most dressed properly for the wind chill. And the rain held off for the whole FReep. But because the weather reports said rain, and it was raining when we picked up Kristinn, we decided to leave the MOAB and flags home. We did set up a small all-weather banner that is used in Olney. Lurker George and TFroatz brought their large flags so we still had them there. There were also several smaller flags floating around. Cindy-true-supporter also brought a small "Welcome Home" banner that was placed by the entrance to Walter Reed.
Mr & Mrs Trooprally. Mrs. T doing her best Michael Jackson impersonation.	After helping to set up the blue banner I was off to the southwest corner. Spending a few minutes there, I decided to go over to the Northwest corner to catch the troops going into Walter Reed. When I arrived, there was a girl in her early 20's there. A brief conversation revealed that she was visiting several of the wounded in Walter Reed. We talked a little about FRee Republic when PleaDeal came over. Since we had been talking for a while, we asked if she was waiting for her pizza or something, only to find out that she had been waiting an hour for her taxi. She asked how the walk was up Silver Spring and we suggested against it in the dark. If it was summer, with the sun still out, she probably could. So PleaDeal tried to flag down a taxi but to no success. Apparently with the FReepers on the corners, the taxis are confused whether we are trying to flag them down or waving at them.
Danang68, Kristinn, Jimmy Valentine's Brother and Tolerance Sucks Rocks.	As coincidence had it, along came Kristinn asking if I could pick up ilovew at the Takoma Park Metro. No problem, someone picks up FReepers at the Metro stations all the time. Usually tgslTakoma picks up ilovew, but she was out sick this Friday. Kudos to Cindy-true-supporter who took ilovew home. We asked the young lady if we could take her to her hotel. She felt comfortable enough with us to agree. So we took off, making the circuit. On the way we talked a little more only to find out that several weeks earlier her husband had been killed in Iraq by an IED. Cindy Sheshrew came up (she was completely disgusted with her) at the real American Gold Star mothers organization. At that time her phone rang and she talked the rest of the way to the hotel. Being a short distance we weren't able to talk any further. Several FReepers who I related her sad story to surmised that she was visiting some of her husband's buddies who may have been injured in the same IED incident.
Mamma Redhunter* and son, Tom the Redhunter.	After picking up ilovew, I returned to the Northwest corner. Tom the Redhunter wasn't there yet but his mother was. "Mamma Redhunter" is a very nice person. Having knowledge of the proper way of advertising to passing vehicles, she approved the signs we were holding. Short, easy to read and to the point. She was also knowledgeable of cold weather. She had her chemical handwamer. Handwarmer - Singular because she is also a very frugal lady. Why use two when one can alternate the one. My type of mother. While standing there, and older gentleman from California and his daughter came out to wait for their Chinese dinner. We got to talking a little about FRee Republic and his son, who was wounded a few weeks back and is in Walter Reed. He is doing better every day. The father also gladly accepted a cigar. It had been a week since he last had one. Dinner arrived and away they went. About an hour later, he was back. The troops now ordered pizza. The saying about eating Chinese and being hungry an hour later must be true. He hadn't finished his first cigar so he got another light. I also gave him one for the road.
olgaesq01, Freeping_In_Silence and Taco Mamma.	More importantly than the cigars, he said that he'll be out to join us next Friday. I would like to think he's coming out for the cigars, but his interest in our support for the troops is the driving factor. I'm sure the writer of next week's AAR will get a better story than I have. (You're doing just fine, Mr. T!! - PD) NOTE: I recently discovered that the wounded warriors and especially the kids at Walter Reed have many uses for empty cigar boxes. They make very nice stackable storage places. If you've got any extra, or would like to pick up a few at your local tobacconist, they will be put to good use! -PD
The bus from the Fran O'Brien's dinner is still rolling.	We almost missed getting pictures of the bus this week. Just A Nobody had her "Diana Irey Rolling Canteen" there. Just A Nobody opened it up for the FReeprs to get warm, use the head and feed us. I'm told she made the best Ohio corned beef sandwiches around. Anyways, PleaDeal and [Mrs] T were "visiting" Just A Nobody when everyone, including Just A Nobody, saw the bus. They rushed out and got a few quick pics. The time was 9:30ish and we expected the bus at 10! NOTE to all FReepers who attend the Walter Reed FReep. It is difficult for the writers of the AAR (After Action Report for "newbies") to know everything that goes on. So if you have an interesting story about your night out, please write a narrative and FReepMail it to whomever is writing that week's AAR. Oh yea, almost forgot - Go EAGLES!!

POSTPONED! The following event was rained out last week and will be held this coming Saturday.

Olney Golf Park is hosting a fund raiser for the Wounded Warriors of Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval Hospital to purchase equipment to be given away (yes, for free!) to any and all soldier/sailors/airmen/Marines who have a desire to play. It doesn't matter what their disability is, the pros at Olney Golf will find a way to teach them to swing a club.

Come out and join the Salute to Soldiers from noon to 3, Saturday October 14th.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

We'll be back out at Walter Reed Friday night, October 13th, from 6:30 until at least 9:30 at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Elder Street, NW in Washington, D.C.

Don't let your superstitions keep you from venturing out this Friday the 13th. There's not much else to do that's nearly as fun and rewarding as the Walter Reed FReep! The commie Code Pinkos are the only ones who risk bad luck.

We are told every week by patients and family members that our presence at the gate means a lot to them. The wounded warriors inside the hospital are heartened by the sight of ordinary citizens cheering for them and displaying our heartfelt thanks for the service and sacrifice they've made on our behalf. Just like last week, we were told again that the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan know we're out here cheering them on.

A couple hours one night a week is very little to give compared to what they've contributed!

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.

Keeping the BIG LIST: All DC Chapter Walter Reed FReeps - c/o BufordP.

 

[BufordP]

Yeah, why's he got a problem with Apple Blossom anyway?
;-)

[AprilfromTexas]

Nice job and great report!! Stay warm this week...and would someone please hug a soldier for me!!

I wish I could be there!

[AprilfromTexas]

Nice job and great report!! Stay warm this week...and would someone please hug a soldier for me!!

I wish I could be there!

[AprilfromTexas]

bttt

[PleaDeal]

Be careful what you ask for - the next AAR just might feature wall-to-wall pics of you!

[ilovew]

I don't think ANYONE wants that ;)

[Albion Wilde]

Do you know anything about supporting the "Ronald Mcdonald" style houses they have at Walter Reed and other bases for military families to stay in?

The "Ronald McDonald"-style houses at Walter Reed are called Fisher Houses. They do accept donations and if you click the link, you will find out how to give.

[trooprally]

Here you are, just need to ask.

[MAinMUC]

Really does look like it's getting chilly out there - make sure to bundle up again this Friday!

You guys are the best. I can't tell you what it means to me to know you're out there each week.

[trooprally]

Great job on AAR.
I will tell about the rat another time.
But, I love how you got Gael as the ugly critter.
But, are you sure it is not Squeegee ??
[Mrs T]

[JoyjoyfromNJ]

Great report as usual on the great report all y'all are continuing to do! And the long distance shout out for the Eagles was obviously heard and acted upon by the team. (Apologies to Landry Fan if she reads this.)

[Albion Wilde]

BUMP

[maica]

Almost Friday the Thirteenth BUMP

[bmwcyle]

Tonight we ride.

[raygun]

PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENG MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!