FReeper [Mr] Trooprally, lurker Jessica, FReeper PrezUSA222, unfazed by a little moistagination.
Posted on 11/04/2007 9:06:11 AM PST by Albion Wilde
WASHINGTON, October 26, 2007— Rain fell. Rain fell on the just and the unjust. Rain fell on the right and the left, on civilians and military, on Democrats and Republicans, believers and atheists, patriots and peacenuts. Didn't it rain? Standing in it, we could only be grateful as well as damp and chilly, aware as we are that our troops in Iraq bear up in broiling heat, those in Afghanistan toil in bitter cold, and those inside Walter Reed Army Medical Center have given more than one evening's mild discomfort to support their comrades-in-arms.
It being spooky season, you could have counted on several of us to have worn Halloween costumes to this weekly troop-support rally at the gates of Walter Reed, but on this rainy Friday, what would have been the point? We all ended up with the same costume: rain gear.
A car pulled suddenly close to the curb, and we backed up to avoid the splatter. Rolling down the passenger-side window, an almost middle-aged black man leaned from the driver's seat over to the passenger window, yelling out to us through the relentless, enveloping noise of traffic in the rain. In that split second, our mainstream-media conditioning kicks in: "Uh-oh, 90-percent-of-blacks-are-Democrats-he's-going-to-be-yelling-anti-war-crapola..."
But no.
"Ya'll are beautiful, man!" he shouted. "Out here in the rain — rain, snow, whatever! — ya'll are out here!"
"Whoooo-hoooo!" we replied into his window before it rolled completely closed, as he plowed on swiftly through deep puddles up Georgia Avenue. Like many of the beepers, honkers and tooters, he passes us every week on his regular commute.
Later, more of the same parallel reality: our African immigrant cab driver (who beeps and "dances" his cab with its brakes) stopped by, tooting, brake-dancing and waving. Another carload of young African-American men in sweats and hoodies rolled down the window and gave us the thumbs up, shouting, "Stay the course!"
"Thanks! Yeah! Woooo-hooo!"
It was the wettest of times, the dryest of times. Trucks with windshield wipers skidding on greasy windshields were splashing our knees with gritty, oil-soaked rainfall at the same moment when heroes in California were battling wildfires and San Diego homeowners were fleeing a week-long inferno, desperate for the downpour we were standing in. Witnessing the steady stream of honking, waving support from largely "working-class" commuters on Georgia Avenue in front of Walter Reed week after week is a parallel reality completely opposite to the mainstream media's absolute conviction of the war's unpopularity. Reality is far more inclusive. Those opposed to the War on Terror may live among us, but they are not the American majority.
They were not the majority of weekly Friday-night demonstrators at Walter Reed, either. We counted eleven moonbats in the anti-war camp down the street, but that was only for a half-hour. Most of the night, they had five people, two of whom arrived in the same car. Their tired hippie tantrums just can't seem to "BRING THEM HOME NOW." Our rally's support and thanks to our troops, however, are a blessing to us even more than to the troops. Gratitude just feeeeeeels better than rage.
Here's our Honor Roll for this FReep: FReepers included BillF, BufordP, Cindy-True-Supporter, Fraxinus, PrezUSA222, [Mr & Mrs] TroopRally, VAflagwaver, VictoryNY, and myself, "the late" Albion Wilde. Lurkers included Alicia, Bill from MD, Chenalyn, George, Jessica and Lacey from GoE.
To view BufordP's archive of all Walter Reed FReeps, click here.
To view all of [Mrs] Trooprally's excellent photos of this FReep, click here.
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DC Chapter mega-ping.
OK, that should have been “THE DOG...”. Nothing worse than a botched joke, right, John Francois?
Since there was no ping during last week, you'll have two this week — BillF's report for this past Friday will be posted later this week.
FReepmail me to be added to / deleted from this (usually) once-weekly ping list.
Very nice photos!
BTTT
Hi, honey! Did it rain in Spain? (groan)
I so can’t wait to participate in the Support the Troops rally at WR with the DC Freepers. It will be a huge honor to stand against the moonbats with all of you.
At this point I am going to fly in on Wednesday so that I will have two days to tour DC prior to my conference. I have asked the Fresno Freepers if they have anything that they would like to donate to those at Walter Reed or Besthesda. I will be willing to bring it with me.
Wonderful news!
GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE WHO STOOD OUT THERE IN THE RAIN TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR OUR TROOPS!
And, thanks to everyone who attends the Friday night Walter Reed Freeps.
All of you are such patriots....you make your fellow Americans so very proud and grateful to have people like you represent us.
Thanks, again and may God bless you all!
About as much as it does in southern California. I've been so lucky!
Here we sat waiting patiently for the AAR from week before last, wondering if all was well. Thought maybe the rain washed out the freep. Of course we should have known better. Through wind and rain, sleet and snow, Freepers go to keep their appointed rounds for the troops. So, you are forgiven if the dog ate your report. 30 lashes with a wet noodle for the dog though.
Great report Albion. Good writing, brave Freepers, miserable moonbats, dancing cabs. Thank you one and all.
Olney got 4 1/2 inches of rain over the several days of rain.
[Mr] T
The San Joaquin Valley had a storm last Monday evening that broke records. There were reports of 4 inches of rain in some areas, while others had sprinkles. I was in the area that recorded the 4 inches. I'm glad that we weren't scheduled for a Freep on Monday evening, it wouldn't have been pretty. I think that the weather problems that Fresno Freepers face have been our heat. We have been out in 106-107 degree heat to stand toe to toe against Peace Fresno. JKPhoto, one of our members has a picture to prove it.
I always look forward to your pings. Thank you for your efforts.
I LOVE your tag line !!
Great report and photos! God Bless you all for a job always well done!
Sure did miss you! Looks like it was raining catz and dawgs.
I’ll never forget (or forgive) the guy that told me before the first gathering of Eagles (GOE1) that the Walter Reed freep (#100) was canceled because of the weather.
I so wanted to be there just once.
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