HONORED GUESTS JOIN WALTER REED FREEP, Week 83, 11/17/06 (Join us tonight, 11/24!)

DC Chapter | November 24, 2006 | Albion Wilde

[Albion Wilde]

Photos by Plea Deal and [Mrs] Trooprally

Washington, November 17, 2006-- There is a faraway, yet penetrating look in the eyes of parents who have buried a child, no matter how well they have gotten on with their lives, no matter how much they are doing to honor their hero. It is a look that says, "Nothing is worth getting worked up about. Can you not see that small matters are insignificant? I am here, but part of me is here no longer; I live to honor that part."

This 83rd week of the DC Chapter's Friday night troop-support rally at Walter Reed Army Medical Center was honored by a second wave of visiting Gold Star parents newly returned from their historic survey tour of free Iraq. Debbie Argel Bastian, John Holley, Joe Johnson and Jan Johnson, all of whom lost a son in Iraq, had spent the day in Washington conferring with members of the Senate, Congress and the press to publicize their delegation's findings. Throughout the evening, a steady stream of enlisted personnel and veterans stopped by as well. And as we were packing up the banners at the end of the rally, two of the DC area's most renowned troop supporters showed up and took us by surprise.

Each of the Gold Star parents visiting this week has worked tirelessly not only to honor their sons' sacrifice, but also to improve conditions for other military families and to communicate a different message to the American people than the reactionary undercutting of the war effort by the mainstream media.

"What I wanted to bring back was the truth, to see for myself firsthand what the hell is really going on over there. And I did. I found a very grateful people," Mrs. Bastian was quoted by California's KSBY Channel 6.

Invited by the Kurdish Regional Government, the Gold Star Parents met with some top leaders and some of Iraq's poorest people. "All around," KSBY reports, "they felt a sense of welcome, and reported the many times they heard Iraqis say, "Bless America. Bless President Bush. We've been liberated."

Gold Star parents Debbie Argel (left), Jan Johnson and Joe Johnson.

In 2005, soon after her son Derek Argel was killed, Debbie Argel Bastian fought a series of battles with groups exploiting her son's name and the names of other heroes at anti-war demonstrations.

And the Johnsons have also carried the War on Terror forward, each in his or her own way, both before and after their son Justin's death in 2004. Joe Johnson had re-enlisted at the age of 45 in the Georgia National Guard and also served in Iraq, first as a bodyguard for a civil affairs officer and later on an IED sweep team. "It was something I just had to do after 9/11," Joe said on the sidewalk outside Walter Reed. "I put my family through hell. I was already in country eleven months when my son was killed."

His son Justin Johnson had befriended another soldier at Fort Hood before shipping out, a young man from California named Casey Sheehan. Both met the same fate six days apart in Sadr City, Iraq, first Casey, then Justin. Later, Casey's mother Cindy Sheehan would blame President Bush personally for her son's death in a vitriolic anti-war campaign joined by leftists eager to exploit a Gold Star mother. It was a bitter battle that pitted Mrs. Sheehan against Gold Star mothers like Jan Johnson who honored their sons' mission and commitment. When Cindy Sheehan and Jan Johnson have met, sparks have flown. "She won't speak to me any more," Mrs. Johnson commented Friday. "The whole story is in Melanie Morgan's book, American Mourning. Cindy Sheehan and I are the book's protagonists."

Gold Star parent John Holley with FReeper Cindy-True-Supporter.

John Holley's family is military all the way -- himself, his wife, his son, "brothers, uncles, cousins, on both sides, going back 140 years," he said on Friday."That's the hard thing about it. Out of all those people who served in our family, my son, Spc. Matthew John Holley, was the only one that was killed in the service. My only child."

At the time of Matthew Holley's death in 2005, writes blogger Jeff Edwards, John and Stacy Holley "received some disturbing news about the military's plans for returning their son's remains. Matthew's body was being shipped to San Diego as freight on a commercial airliner. A Soldier would fly in the passenger cabin to act as escort for the body, but there would not be a military honor guard at Lindbergh Field. There would be no ceremony to mark the return of a fallen Soldier to the soil of his country. John and Stacey wouldn't even be allowed to meet their son's remains on the runway. They were told that they could claim his casket from the holding area for oversized luggage, after the suitcases and the rest of the freight had been offloaded from the plane."

Using their contacts as veterans, the Holleys were able to ensure an honor guard for their son. But thoughts haunted them of other families undergoing the "baggage handling" of their loved ones' remains. The Holleys made it their mission to change all that. Working with Congressman Duncan Hunter, who was Chair of the House Armed Services Committee, they helped draft Section 563 of the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Act. The bill directs that combat remains be delivered to the airfield nearest to the designated burial site, and that an official escort be present to render proper military honors. In securing this dignity for our fallen heroes, the Holleys appeared on a wide variety of news programs, from Sean Hannity and CNN to Keith Olberman.

Several soldiers from Walter Reed stop by the MOAB (Mother of All Banners) to shake hands with FReepers. Left to right: tgslTakoma, four soldiers (from yellow-haired woman to man in black & red jacket), Keith & Sara from Olney, sonoftgsl, soldier (in orange with ponytail), Fraxinus, Albion Wilde, Tolerance Sucks Rocks and TFroatz.

Solder John and his beautiful family passed by and waved.

Alert: Entering "Blame America First" Zone

Side view of the Pinkos makes it look like there were more of them than there were.

But there weren't many, so we'll handicap them and let them count the elderly lady in the wheelchair twice. The Party of Appeasement's victory in Congress doesn't seem to have inspired them to display their excruciatingly bad taste in any greater numbers.

The lefties flanked themselves with genuine flags so passersby would think they were not conducting a revolting anti-war display at a military hospital and would wave to them. From the perspectives of both advertising and psychology, they have what is called "identity confusion."

All Clear to Return to Troop Support Feature:

Cindy-True-Supporter on the southwest corner, with the DC Chapter's Burma-Shave signs in the background.

BufordP FReeped with honor, before the bear fight he got into here and here. Judging by its expression after the tussle, the bear won.

Attendance this week was high: FReepers and lurkers* included Albion Wilde, BufordP, Cindy-True-Supporter, Citizen SMASH, Cliff from MD*, Fraxinus, Freeping_in_Silence, Jimmy Valentine's Brother, Just A Nobody, Keith & Sarah from Olney*, kristinn, PleaDeal, Sensei Ern, sonofTGSL, TFroatz, tgslTakoma, Tolerance Sucks Rocks, Tom the Redhunter, Trooprally [Mr & Mrs] and VAflagwaver.

Also spending time with us were Richie and Neil, recovering soldiers from WRAMC; the group of five soldiers from WR going out for the evening who came over to shake hands all around; and Cliff, a veteran who's proud to have served on the last four battleships of the Navy in his more than 20-year Navy career. He had stopped by WR to check out the gym and ended up staying throughout most of the FReep.

A different tour bus company brought the soldiers back from the Fran O'Brien's dinner this week.

After the "dinner bus" brings recovering troops and their families back to Walter Reed, it's time to break down all the banners. But tonight, as we gathered on the northeast corner to pack up the signboards, coffee dispenser and pizza boxes, we were treated to a great surprise:

Hal Koster (center rear), co-owner of Fran O'Brien's Restaurant (whose daughter in the Navy just got back from Iraq), and Jim Mayer (left), the Milk Shake Man, stopped by as we were breaking down the banners. They were swarmed by thankful FReepers, grateful for their generosity to the wounded troops at Walter Reed.

* * *

Gold Star links:

Spc. Justin W. Johnson Memorial Page

Matthew John Holley Memorial page

Captain Derek Argel Memorial page

Parents of fallen U.S. troops visit northern Iraq (Reuters)
Photos from Gold Star Parents' Trip to Free Iraq
*Iraq Survey Group Report Released (Gold Star Families Visit Free Iraq)*
FReeper Kristinn Taylor Reports from FREE Iraq
Report #2 by Kristinn Taylor from FREE IRAQ!
Kristinn's Report #3 from FREE IRAQ

Free Republic links:

BufordP's archive of Walter Reed FReeps
Photos by Plea Deal.
Photos by [Mrs] Trooprally.

[Albion Wilde]

Just when you think another week at Walter Reed is going to be ho-hum, it pulls you back in!
Every week at Walter Reed is special; this report tells of one of the most memorable weeks of all the 83 weeks to date that we have rallied at the gates on Friday night.

Join us tonight from 6:30 to 9:30 or so, and see what happens this week!

We order pizza and there is usually coffee/tea/chocolate to drink.

Park on the northeast side of Georgia Avenue and Elder Streets NW, in the parking lot or on Elder Street.

[Albion Wilde]

Walter Reed ping!

[Albion Wilde]

Mega-ping!

Freepmail me to be added or deleted from this once-per-week Walter Reed ping list.

[WestCoastGal]

Bookmarking.....

Thankfully I will have high speed internet and a new computer next week so I can finally see these fabulous threads you post without crashing.

I do want to say thanks to all the DC FReepers who have given so much to help the guys and gals at Walter Reed and their families. Our Nascar season is over until February but we continue to pray and hope for everyone's recovery at all the hospitals including Bethesda and Brooke. Please keep me updated if you can on any additional names we should add to our prayer list and of those who have thankfully been able to return home to their families.

[bluesagewoman]

Thank you so much for being there and writing these reports. I never miss them.

Thank you to our troops.

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Great report! You just never know what's going to happen on any given Friday. Today the sun is shining and it will be a grand night for supporting the troops.

[Dinah Lord]

Big old thankful bump.

What a great after action celebrity report. It's so great to see the pics of all the FReepers out in support of our troops. Glad to see everyone is bundled up and staying warm and I'll be thinking of everyone tonight.

God bless you guys. Best wishes to all.
(except the dirty, rotten Code Pinkos, of course)
Dinah

P.S. Buford and the bear made me scream! Too funny.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[trooprally]

Great work. Your mastery with words give this special FReep the proper respect to all of the special guest who stopped by. The guests almost outnumbered the FReepers.

[Mr] T

[maica]

Fantastic report recounting a fantastic night! Thanks, AW and all the faithful DC Freepers!

[AliVeritas]

God Bless all of you... I need to move there.

[Taxman]

Somehow, a Taxman Bravo Zulu! seems inadequate to thank all of you for the important work that you are doing at WRAMC.

For now, that is the best I can do.

Tasman Bravo Zulu!

[DollyCali]

Your report had me in tears.. very profound. How proud the sons of the gold star parents would be/are(I think they know).. and how shamed Casey would be (think he knows too)

thank you all for being there

. forwarding this report to friend Mark in Chicago. I am pretty sure we will be with you the party weekend & want him to get acquainted with you all & THE MISSION ahead of time

[Enterprise]

Walter Reed, brave warriors, honored guests, and dedicated FReepers bump!

[Spiff]

Best. Walter. Reed. FReep. Report. EVER!

Keep up the great work!!

I talked to a soldier after the Ft. Huachuca FReep who came to thank us for defending the honor of the troops. He has been to Walter Reed too and has seen you all on the corner. He wanted to thank everyone for coming out and supporting the troops and tell you how much it meant to the soldiers there and elsewhere.

[trooprally]

"I talked to a soldier after the Ft. Huachuca FReep who came to thank us for defending the honor of the troops. He has been to Walter Reed too and has seen you all on the corner. He wanted to thank everyone for coming out and supporting the troops and tell you how much it meant to the soldiers there and elsewhere."

These words sure help on the cold, dark nights at WR. Thanks for letting us know.

[Mr] T

[StarCMC]

Just beautiful. You've got a cheerleader here in the heartland. God bless you all!!

[trooprally]

One thing that Hal Koster also said was that one night several weeks ago, a soldier from the dinner bus was not feeling well. He used his personal vehicle to take the soldier back early to Walter Reed. As they drove threw the gates, the soldier saw us and perked up, no longer feel bad.

Another Good News story to keep us warm on these cold Friday nights.

[Mr] T

[PGalt]

BTTT! FR's finest supporting America's finest!

[Chewie84]

Sounds like you had an awesome Freep!

"BufordP FReeped with honor, before the bear fight he got into here and here. Judging by its expression after the tussle, the bear won."
LOL! That's a cute bear.
If I'm ever in DC on a Friday night for some reason (Though, sadly, that's probably not very likely), I'd be honored to join you guys at Walter Reed.

[Just Lori]

Thank you Thank you Thank you! You guys are wonderful! Did y'all know that troop supporters are the greatest lovers? =)

[W04Man]

It makes me feel selfish that I am not there enough.

But I will return some day, but how can I urge others to go, when I'm not going enough.

[CAluvdubya]

Thank you and Bless you all! Hmmmm, looks like you all have really stiffled the un-Americans on the other side of the street! Way to go!!

[DollyCali]

You would love to be with this group. Most of vets are your age..

FReep mail (on another "matter")

[DollyCali]

why don't you plan to come the weekend of Dec 9.. the DC chapter party & 2 FReeps.. can't beat that for a great trip!

[tgslTakoma]

Mr. Koster and Mr. Mayer both made a point to tell us this more than once - What we are doing every Friday night DOES MATTER. The troops inside know we are there, and they love seeing us when they ride through the gates.

It may not seem like much, but these two men drove over into our parking lot/staging area to tell us "Thank you" and to keep it up.

Suddenly it didn't seem so cold outside last Friday night.

[jazusamo]

Thanks for the great report, AW and for what all you Freepers do every week.

God Bless our troops.

[hsalaw]

Many thanks, as always, for the ping - great report, wonderful pictures. And for the additional Gold Star Family links - am bookmarking those for later read. God bless all of you for all you do for our wounded heros. You make us all proud to be Americans by your faithful support of those who defend and protect us. We pray for our troops and for the success of their mission.

[Albion Wilde]

Great for you that you will have high-speed Internet! And many thanks for joining in prayer for our wounded and recovering soldiers. The caring of FReepers across the country never fails to amaze and humble.

[Albion Wilde]

Taking another opportunity to praise the fabulous photography skillz of [Mrs] Trooprally and Plea Deal.

It's almost like being there, folks --

but not quite!

Come on out and have some fun with us tonight!

[concretebob]

Could you please add Hal's foundation to the link list?

The Aleethia Foundation pays for the weekly dinners.

[Albion Wilde]

God bless you guys. Best wishes to all. (except the dirty, rotten Code Pinkos, of course)

Hey, Dinah! We miss you and look forward to the day you can be with us again!

Thanks for your blessings for our cold fingers and toes tonight, although the temperature has taken a turn upward today, and we usually have those toasty cups of hot beverage, many thanks to tgslTakoma.

As for the Pinkos, they are pitiful creatures and definitely need our prayers. I hope God blesses each one of them with an illumined heart and a clean spirit.

[concretebob]

I'd say that bear got a BufordP booty call.

[Albion Wilde]

God Bless all of you... I need to move there.

Funny, I often say that about New York!

DC is one of the greatest cities to visit, unique in all the world for its Athens-like majestic buildings and free entrance to dozens of national museums. You may be interested to see the Basilica, which is the second largest in the world, even larger than St. Peter's in Rome, as well as the National Cathedral that is often televised for state events. We have a lovely zoo, a walkable downtown, and the lovely, wooded Rock Creek that runs all the way through the city, from the Potomac into Maryland, with hiking and bike trails, horseback riding and nature preserves). Just across the Potomac from Georgetown is Arlington Cemetery, and downriver 14 miles is the newly restored Mount Vernon, home of George Washington, which has a fabulous new display museum and incredible, life-size figures of Washington at ages 19 and 45 that were done by computer age reduction. Lots to do here! Come and visit!

[Albion Wilde]

Taxman Bravo Zulu!

We miss you and Mrs. Taxman! Stay warm and keep well, Taxman!

[Albion Wilde]

P.S. Buford and the bear made me scream! Too funny.

You thought it was funny seeing a grown man mauled by a li'l old bear, huh? LOL!

[Albion Wilde]

Thank you for your kind words, DollyCali, one of our faithful out-of-state WR FReep alumnae, along with your two doggies! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving. We're looking forward to meeting your friend!

[Albion Wilde]

I talked to a soldier after the Ft. Huachuca FReep who came to thank us for defending the honor of the troops. He has been to Walter Reed too and has seen you all on the corner. He wanted to thank everyone for coming out and supporting the troops and tell you how much it meant to the soldiers there and elsewhere.

Another out-of-state WR FReeper weighs in! Spiff, magnificent FReeper wherever you go, thank you so much for letting us know about that soldier! And we're glad you've been giving the moonbats hell out there at Ft. Huachuca! Keep up the great work!

[Albion Wilde]

One thing that Hal Koster also said was that one night several weeks ago, a soldier from the dinner bus was not feeling well. He used his personal vehicle to take the soldier back early to Walter Reed. As they drove threw the gates, the soldier saw us and perked up, no longer feel bad.

[Mr] Trooprally, that is a wonderful story! Thanks for letting us know!

Hal Koster hero bump!

[Albion Wilde]

We'd be glad to have you come stand with us, Chewie84! We'll probably be here for some time, since the blatantly political Democrap view of the war is going to look different to them now that the shoe of judgment is on the other foot.

[Albion Wilde]

Did y'all know that troop supporters are the greatest lovers? =)

"I knew that. Of course, I knew that. Why wouldn't I know that?"

[Albion Wilde]

It makes me feel selfish that I am not there enough.

Hush that, W04Man! You are a most faithful FReeper, and your wonderful signs are here when you can't be!

Y'all, W04Man is retired military and gung-ho only begins to describe his spirit, concern for the troops and willingness to do all he can for them. We salute you, W04Man!

[Albion Wilde]

Mr. Koster and Mr. Mayer both made a point to tell us this more than once - What we are doing every Friday night DOES MATTER. The troops inside know we are there, and they love seeing us when they ride through the gates.

"Bears" repeating. Thank you, tgslTakoma!

"Milk Shake Man" Mayer bump! . . . . . Mauler Bear bump!

[Albion Wilde]

The Aleethia Foundation pays for the weekly dinners.

Thanks, concretebob, for this great link!

[Albion Wilde]

I'd say that bear got a BufordP booty call.

Now who's your daddy?

[Trteamer]

Another AWESOME FReep!
Have fun tonight!

[TBP]

I'd come but I'm actually out of town this weekend visiting my sister-in-law for Thanksgiving.

[concretebob]

Did y'all know that troop supporters are the greatest lovers? =)

Thats because we make love like we wage war

We don't pull out until we're finished

Ya'll started this

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

pingback and thanks.

THANKS YOU TROOPS AND TROOP FAMILIES!

[Albion Wilde]

Thanks for your post 'n' bump! We had a great FReep tonight -- a mellow post-Thanksgiving evening, with lots of soldiers stopping by. Report by Plea Deal will be up in the week to come.