Doctor Raoul with a sign that says what we all feel.
Posted on 11/29/2006 9:04:55 PM PST by PleaDeal
#84 at Walter Reed - November 24, 2006
Doctor Raoul with a sign that says what we all feel.
The day after Thanksgiving was a quiet one in D.C. with many of the wounded warriors on leave to be with their loved ones for the holiday. Our numbers were still sufficient to cover all 4 corners at the main gate and to continue giving thanks to those who keep us safe and secure in the best country on the planet. As usual, more FReepers & FRiends showed up (19) than pathetic Pinko turkeys (11).
The whole list of FReepers & FRiends in attendance tonight (If I missed anyone - please let me know!): Albion Wilde, Bill from MD*, Cindy-true-supporter, Doctor Raoul, Fraxinus, GunsAreOK, iMacMan, Mrs iMacMan, Jill*, Jimmy Valentine's Brother, Just A Nobody, PleaDeal, R.T.Delta, Sensei Ern, Sirak from CA*, Ted from DC*, Tolerance Sucks Rocks, Trooprally [Mr. & Mrs].
Here are my pics from the night. The multi-talented Mrs Trooprally's pics (narrow border) are here.
 Mr. Trooprally and iMacMan setting up. |
 Walking the MOAB into place. |
Every Friday is "Thanks Giving Day" for the D.C. Chapter. Our small visual and verbal gathering has helped many of our wonderful troops in their recovery from battlefield injuries. This excerpt from a recent post on the continuing Fighting Spirit thread is just one example of how your active participation on FreeRepublic's forums can make a difference in one person's life that ripples on to other lives, enriching all along the way.
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"He would not be where he is today if he had not had the prayer support of so many," his mom, Cindy-True-Supporter, said during Thanksgiving week. "He felt a responsibility to heal due to his awareness of the support, which was totally instrumental in his recovery. He wanted to get well 'for' so many people. He felt there was a cheering section rooting for him. He said, 'I can't believe so many cared.' " She is passing it on: the experience has deepened her commitment to volunteering at Walter Reed. "Even verbal support is great for healing," she said. "These wounded soldiers need to hear it. ['FS's'] injury has made me see just how effective even verbal support can be. It's important that the soldiers know they've got positive support."
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Gang of supporters on the SW corner.
In Arthur C. Brooks' recently published book "Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism", he shows how volunteering one's time benefits more than just the giver and recipient; it benefits whole communities.
| Giving supports economic growth and actually creates prosperity Many studies show that giving and volunteering improve physical health and happiness, and lead to better citizenship. In other words, we need to give for our own good. Cultural and political influences—and the many government policies—that discourage private charitable behavior have negative effects that are far more widespread than people usually realize. |
Volunteering a few hours on a Friday night to show heart-felt appreciation to some very deserving folks is guaranteed to make you feel great!
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Meanwhile, waaaaaay down the block... I'm sure the Pinkos believe that they are engaging in "volunteer" work by standing on Georgia Avenue with their "Bring Them Home!" signs, but the objective of their vigils is entirely selfish. They don't care about Iraqis who would be plunged into a nightmare of violence if we gave in to the Cut & Run criers. They claim to support the troops but don't give a second thought to destroying all that has been accomplished with sweat, tears, and blood of America's finest sons and daughters.
The most hypocritical sign of all is this:
Hard-core commie Pinko McCarron thinks he's showing compassion for the wounded warriors by advocating how best your tax dollars can be spent. His real opinion of the patients on the other side of the fence are well known.
| The conventional wisdom runs like this: Liberals are charitable because they advocate government redistribution of money in the name of social justice; conservatives are uncharitable because they oppose these policies. But note the sleight of hand: Government spending, according to this logic, is a form of charity. Let us be clear: Government spending is not charity. It is not a voluntary sacrifice by individuals. No matter how beneficial or humane it might be, no matter how necessary it is for providing public services, it is still the obligatory redistribution of tax revenues. Because government spending is not charity, sanctimonious yard signs do not prove that the bearers are charitable or that their opponents are selfish. -A.C. Brooks |
Line of Lonely Loonies
We've always known how miserly Code Pinkos and the "Hate America First" crowd are, so it should come as no surprise that Professor Brooks was able to prove the selfishness we see on a weekly basis.
| But young liberals—perhaps the most vocally dissatisfied political constituency in America today—are one of the least generous demographic groups out there. In 2004, self-described liberals younger than thirty belonged to one-third fewer organizations in their communities than young conservatives. In 2002, they were 12 percent less likely to give money to charities, and one-third less likely to give blood. Liberal young Americans in 2004 were also significantly less likely than the young conservatives to express a willingness to sacrifice for their loved ones: A lower percentage said they would prefer to suffer than let a loved one suffer, that they are not happy unless the loved one is happy, or that they would sacrifice their own wishes for those they love. -A.C. Brooks |
 Comrade Bruce getting paranoid... |
 ...he can't shake the feeling that he's being watched. |
I'm sure the cadre of commies deludes itself by thinking the honks and waves it gets are from supporters of the anti-war message, but in reality the people passing in cars think the Pinkos are an extension of the patriots at the gate. They hold flags and signs and wave at traffic. That's all people see as they speed up and down the road.
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We are truly thankful that fewer and fewer of our beloved wounded warriors even know the Pinkos are out here!
Everyone inside the hospital knows about the "nice people at the front gate" on Friday nights!
**** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** ****
 Bill from MD* , Ted from DC* and Sirak from CA* |
 Mrs. iMacMan, Doctor Raoul, GunsAreOK and PleaDeal before the MOAB was put up. |
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There was no Bus from Fran O'Brien's tonight because most of the troops were blissfully away for the holiday!
We'll be back out at Walter Reed Friday night, December 1st, from 6:30 until at least 9:30 at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Elder Street, NW in Washington, D.C.
The wounded warriors inside the hospital are heartened by the sight of ordinary citizens cheering for them and displaying our thanks for the service and sacrifice they've made on our behalf. Put "Friday Night at Walter Reed" on your Christmas shopping list and give the gift of your time and presence to the brave men and women who have given so much more for all of us. You will NOT regret it!
A couple hours this Friday night is very little to give compared to what they've contributed!
If you can't get to D.C. to join us but would like to do something for the wounded, you can find a wealth of ideas from someone on the inside. Like this post that lists some local eateries and entertainments from which you can purchase gift cards!
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.
Ping to #84
Ping to Walter Reed AAR #84!
FReepmail me to get on/off this list.
Thanks.
Keep me ON the list or I'll have to beat the tar outta ya!
:)
BTTT for GOOD people doing GREAT things for our troops!!
Awesome!
Thank you PleaDeal for the ping.
BTTT for a great turnout!!
Thanks for the ping!
Great report..May God bless all of you as you support our wounded warriors and their loved ones. Hugs from Central Texas.
Guys, I'm certain that anybody that knows my style understands it to be quite wry, and at times could be even construed to be scathing (even ruthlessly so).
Whatever. What I want to know: is the eagle wearing glasses or what?
Many thanks for the ping. Great pictures, great report - it's always a pleasure to see the smiling faces of the FReepers contrasted with the glowering surly faces of the pinko-losers trying to foist their brand of disillusionment on everyone else. God bless all of you for showing our support for our troops and for their mission, and God bless them and their courageous families.
There are no superlatives to describe your Friday night stands.
After interring our son in Arlington I had the pleasure of sharing our last Friday night in DC with you folks.
Take extra care with winter approaching, God bless.
We miss you, Managusta. Stay well!
BTTT
We'll second Albion Wilde's sediments, you are missed.
Take care.
BTTT!
Rain gear - wait till you my new rain gear. Neon signs will be obsolete when I get there!! So will getting wet when it rains.
[Mr] T
BTTT.
...and Bill from MD, Mrs iMacMan, Jill, Sirak, and Ted from DC
A special thanks for being out there for Thanksgiving weekend!
Award winning AAR, Plea Deal! Just beautiful!
Amen to that!
Great AAR, PD.
God bless all the patriots who came out Thanksgiving weekend. We appreciate it so much and the great report Plea Deal!
With my motorcycle still out of commission, I may not be able to make it. We are packing to move in a couple weeks (yep, during the week of Christmas, we will be moving...someone tell the twins from Texas that we won't be having the Christmas dinner we told them about when they were here over the summer. We had talked about having them over, but it isn't much fun when the boxes are all over the house and not under the tree) so the Mrs. may not look too kindly on me skipping out of packing duty...and especially won't look kindly on my using her car to get out of it.
FAMBLY FIRST!
Support from the home front is paramount when we go off on a mission.
bttt
McCarron's siggn might as well say "Enlist Here and Die For Communism".
He can't even fake support for the USA or it's military. He's a World Class Liar.
Thank you FReepers!
God Bless our troops.
Very nice report PleaDeal!! You kids ROCK!!
Thank you devolve.
I thought he was AMF-WTF.
Great report PleaDeal. You do a good job on these AARs. Thanks to everyone who goes to WR and braves the elements to show support for America's heros. God bless you all.
Youse guys are awesome! And your dedication is highlighted by the fact that you're out on the corners, even knowing that the "dinner bus" won't be coming. THANK YOU!!!!
Bump from the Caribbean.... I know, it's cold at WR now. But here I am in the warm Caribbean. Sorry, but I'm still spending expensive internet minutes on board downloading these photos from WR #84. The least I can do, huh.
W04Man
Love to all-
the line of flags looks beautiful!
As a soldier who has been to WRAMC many times: Thank you so much!! It's nice to be appreciated by true American Patriots.
My local Boy Scout Troop wants to send Christmas Cards to the wounded soldiers at Walter Reed. Is it possible for me to send a box full somewhere and have them distributed to the troops?
I will be traveling to Arlington for Christmas.
I will take flowers for you too, if you want. Just let me know by freepmail.
This offer stands for any other Freepers with family there too. Just let me know the area and name I am looking for.
Thank you for your service!!
Thank you for encouraging your Scout troop to write Christmas Cards to the wounded warriors!!! Unfortunately, Walter Reed is getting swamped with love around this time of year.
It's wonderful that so many people are taking the time to remember these wonderful young men and women, but the Red Cross office (which is tasked with distributing all cards and donations) can't handle all the donations. Last year they received 350,000 cards!!!! There are at most about 1,000 patients at the hospital and the staff told me that there were more cards than could reasonably be expected to be read.
I'm not sure if the same is true at the National Naval hospital in Bethesda, MD (just down Georgia Ave.) I'll check 'em out and get back to you.
THANK YOU!!! You are indeed appreciated for all you do!
Awesome!
I'll send 55 out tomorrow!
I called and spoke with a Marine, who told me I could send the cards in a box and they would distribute tnem.
Thank you for the address and information.
Merry Christmas!
Awesome! Merry Christmas, indeed!
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