Military Ingenuity Walter Reed FReep: Consecutive Week #148

Satin's head | 2/29/08 | satin_patriot

[satin_patriot]

One of the coolest ways to get around, EVER!

So there I was, standing on the street corner, just like I do almost every Friday night, minding my own (& other people's) business, and buzzing past me from behind came a real work of ingenuity: a wheelchair, with someone in it and someone on his lap, being pushed by a motorized wheelchair with someone in it and someone riding on the back. I SO wish I had a picture.

You may ask yourself, "Why does Satin stand on a street corner on Friday nights? Is she there hitting on and trying to pick up men?” Well, yes, but that’s the secondary reason… :)

Sometime back, some idiots got the faburous idea to protest America and her warriors on American soil at the insanely appropriate location of, get this, a HOSPITAL. These people are not known for their tastefulness, tact, or appropriate behavior. (Frankly, those things are diametrically opposed to anything of which they may be comprised and any belief or cause for which they stand.) Well, they decided that this would get better and better if they did it weekly instead of proving their idiocy only once. Seven remain to this day, every Friday night from 7-9pm on the dot.

Well, a group of patriots got annoyed by this. When good people get annoyed enough, things happen. These people decided that this travesty could not go unanswered, so they moved into the neighborhood and took over. So, every Friday night from somewhere around 6:30 until they’re done, the patriots stand at the front gate of Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), and they stand, not in opposition to the idiots, but in support of the warriors who temporarily make this place their home.

You see, when you have nothing to do and nothing for which to live, you find an identity in negativity. You become known to yourself and others by the things you dislike or don’t support. When you have an identity and you are aware of the value of things like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, then you become known, to yourself and others, by the things you love, the values for which you stand, and the beliefs you espouse.

You may or may not know this, but WRAMC is one of our oldest and most prestigious military hospitals. During peace time, the hospital services the military and dependent population much the same as any other hospital services the civilian population. You may or may not know this, but the US military is at war. During wartime, the hospital cares mostly for our warriors who have been wounded/injured in the line of duty. (Yes, there exists still the usual patient populace, but the numbers skew toward the war-related injuries.) In peacetime or war, this facility serves those super humans who CHOOSE to put their lives on the line in defense of our lives, liberties, and pursuits.

I could easily wax verbose on the many reasons our military deserves our love, respect, and support, however this has already grown too long. If you don’t see those reasons for yourself, ask someone who stands on that corner, and you will be educated and enlightened.

Even if it’s just that you’ve nothing better to do, even if you don’t care about the values upon which our country was founded, just show up some Friday evening to see the ingenuity of the brave. You won’t be disappointed. I know I never am.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a picture of the kewl wheelchair invention, but I have pictures of something very nearly as neat as that. Please enjoy the pictures of the people who love and support our warriors on a weekly basis.

Much love, SP~

(By the way, I apologize for the lateness of getting this out... for those of you that notice such things. Please forgive this untimely attempt and know that I will do all within my power to be punctual in the future.)

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 by FReepmailing Albion Wilde, Cindy-True-Supporter, VAFlagwaver, or PleaDeal.

Please also FReepmail them or any of us if you would like to join us at Walter Reed and would like additional information about parking, directions, what to bring, etc.

Come join us every Friday night between the hours of 6:30pm to approx 9:30pm.

* Thank you to BufordP for maintaining the BIG LIST of all Walter Reed FReeps.

* Thank you to Mr & Mrs Trooprally and everyone else who transports and stores our MOAB and our many signs and banners.

* Tom the Redhunter blogs at The Redhunter

* Plea Deal blogs at Semper Gratis

[fatima]

Thanks satin_patriot,love the pics:)

[BufordP]

DC Chapter ping

[BufordP]

...I apologize for the lateness of getting this out...

That's okay. We're still waiting on AW to get out Freep #147.

[trooprally]

Heard that you got real sick before you had a chance to write the AAR, so better late than never. Since Tom The RedHunter posted last week's AAR real early, this AAR keeps the week interesting.

AND GOOD FIRST WALTER REED AAR. THANKS FOR HELPING OUT.

Looking forward to more of them. Hint, Hint

[Mr] T

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

s_p,
Thanks for the AAR

A picture of the wheelchair convoy would have been classic.

[maica]

Thanks for the great report.

[trooprally]

I also saw the convoy coming out of WR. I was initially stumped because this thing was going 3 times the normal walk speed. I mean it really zipped up to the main gate. It wasn’t until they got to the lights that I saw the make up of the convoy. They crossed the entrance drive and down the street before I could get a camera crew over to my corner.

The rear wheelchair also had a strop light of some sort on the front axial, so as it sped away, all you could see was a blue flash.

[Mr] T

[VAFlagwaver]

Great AAR satin_patriot!! Keep up the great work everyone!! With you in spirit...

[\/\/ayne]

Great report and photos. I like the history, opinion and human interest. Thanks, DC Chapter and FRiends, for standing up for the troops - and America!

[satin_patriot]

OH, I forgot to mention the lights! (Thanks, Mr. T!) He had those nifty looking little strobe lights blinking red and blue on the rear wheels of the motorized chair.

Poop. I forgot the roll call, too. Man! Y’all are gonna fire me before I get my second one out!

Roll call (from memory, because my notes are at home... please correct me if I’m wrong)

Mr. and Mrs. Trooprally
Cindytruesupporter
Chief
Tom the RedHunter
Prez_USA_222
Lurker Nellie
Lurker Bill
Fraxinus

(Who am I missing???)

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Umm

satin_patriot

Did I pass the test?

[trooprally]

Long time Freeper and Protest Warrior, Paltz, is the only one we see missing from the Roll Call.

RE banners and signs, Albion Wilde and Lurker Bill transport some, Tom the RedHunter and Fraxinus alternate bringing the MOAB and flags, VictoryNY brings flags, VAFlagWaver and Plea Deal help with the coffee and hot chocolate. You also bring flags. We are all in this together, swapping items as needed.

And yes, you’ll be back writing AARs. Just be glad most “left outs” are done in your first AAR. You learn by others pointing out what you missed. We all go thru it.

[Mr] T

[satin_patriot]

Thank you, gentlemen. I’ll get my feet under me and be more squared away with each one I do.

Thank God for gracious people! :D

SP~

[PleaDeal]

Great job, SP! Better late than RED,.. er, I mean... PINK! or than never!

[RockerMom2MyHero]

Great AAR and pics, SP! Thank you all for what you do faithfully, every Friday night at WR!

[freema]

Bump!

[Tom the Redhunter]

Excellent AAR Satin, and I look forward to many more from you!

[oneamericanvoice]

As always, on behalf of Richard and I, who hold down a corner on Friday night in Studio City...KUDOS!!!! We sometimes have one or two others, but basically, it has been he and I for years. We take great satisfaction knowing that you folks are out there for the same reason we remain after these many years! In fact, when it gets chilly (CA standards) I stop shivering when I think about you folks! Keep up the great work! God bless you all! Say “hi” to everyone for me!