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the Old VETS were Covering Olney for Ya!! |
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The ever faithful USMC and Army American Legionnaires and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Halsey, Glenn, and Frank were there early, along with Navy vet iMacMan. We were soon joined joined by Legionnaires Dave and Francis -- their first time on the Saturday corner. We hope it's not their last! Shortly afterwards, Eager joined us as well. The hapless Moonbats were outnumbered for quite some time before a new feller and a couple of unidentified co-conspirators joined them, but they left soon after they came. Numerically, they maxed out at 9 for a short while -- but 3 sat on their moonshines, so we only give those half credit for a sum of 7.5 (darned engineers). We captured on "film" over 40 clear waves, thumbs up, and salutes for our side (NO 1- finger versions). We missed at LEAST that many more. All in all, a great day! The folks on the opposite corner were lucky if they got 5 or 10 -- and some of those were 1-finger salutes. The temp was pretty mild for March, but the winds were enough to make us worry about "Big Flag" who was making her first showing of the season. All held up 'til the Moonbats cut and ran at their appointed hour. No banners today as [Mr] T and Lurker Bill are the Olney experts for their installation. Maybe the banners were in a better place in DC anyway. We did put up the small flags at the top of the "grassy knoll". We had several special guests stop by. Not sure who the "man in black" was, but he thanked us graciously for "being there for the troops." As usual, we thanked HIM for thanking US! Also, our Patritot Guard Rider friends cycled by on their way to Walter Reed and stopped to once again shake everyone's hand and thank us for being there -- this time they said they had one of their now-famous carved canes for the last known U.S.-born WWI Vet, Frank Woodruff Buckles, now 107 years young, of Charles Town, W.Va.. Click here to read about Frank's visit with President Bush in the Oval Office just nine days ago. See photo below...
Now on to the pics of the Olney Patriots, the Moonbats, and the aforementioned waves, et al... Halsey and I have JUST gotten "Big Flag" up along with the litlle flags on the grassy knoll, and the honks and waves have already started. Here's Legionnaire Halsey and Big Flag, then a closeup of handsome Halsey and his poster. The "other side" has yet to show up.
 
  Then a lone, diminutive Moonbat wanders up.
 Still MORE waves for the "good guys!
 Legionnaire Francis arrives and picks out HIS favorite poster (with Legionnaire Dave close behind)!
 Yet even MORE waves for our side!
  Good grief, a few more "little people" show up... Dontcha just WISH those folks would take their posters and banners to visit Al Quaeda in Iraq and elsewhere. Shouldn't that message go to the bad guys who attacked US instead of to the good citizens of Olney, MD, who truly love peace but know what it takes to get it and keep it? Grrr...
 Now Legionnaire Glenn starts talking about old times and Legion news with Francis while the waves keep on keepin' on...
  Now our Patriot Guard Rider friend arrives, along with his FINE biker lady Ann sharin' the ride! Here he's shaking everyone's hand and thanking us profusely. We thank him too!
  Now the waves turn to "thumbs up!" OOO-RAH!   The man-in-black comes by to thank us some more!
 And finally the "little folk" have maxed out, but looking totally bored and wondering why nobody wants to thank them...
 Team Legionnaire! Francis, Dave, Frank, Halsey, and Glenn.
  And the thanks from the passing autos just keep on coming (and no, you don't have to look at all 40!)...
  By now, faithful regular Eager has joined our crew -- here he's being welcomed by Glenn. FINALLY we have somebody under 70 on our side! Today I learned something about Glenn's service. Those who've been observing the pics so far realize Glenn was among the brave US Marines who served on Iwo Jima in WWII. Glenn was a radioman there -- and he had FOUR Navajo code-talkers working with him! These guys were many times better than the encryption of the day. Bletchley Park broke the German Enigma machine and Col. William F. Friedman even broke the Japanese Purple. NOBODY broke these men's code! Click here for more about these men. Not too long ago, Glenn was reunited with one of them. I'll let him tell the rest of the story the next time you're in Olney on Saturday morning.
 And the waves just kept on coming...
  We even got a "Royal Wave" (see below left) this time -- a first (for me at least) at Olney!
  Just before their usual "cut and run" time, the Moonbats have been winnowed down -- to a pitiful 5. The stalwart "old solidiers" on our side are still standing strong -- as always...
 Right at the end this lovely lady stopped at the curb to tell us that her son was coming home from Iraq on TUESDAY, and she was just so excited and relieved -- she just had to tell SOMEONE who would share her excitement! Of course, we asked her to thank him for his service. She just clapped her hands and beamed this beautiful smile as you can see.
Snapping in the breeze the entire time, Big Flag made it through the entire FReep too. Long may she proudly wave!
 Til NEXT time! REMEMBER
As always, the D.C. Chapter's rules for protesting will be in effect. Briefly, they are: No violence, no profanity, no racism, no provocations, obey the law and treat all law enforcement officers with respect. But a lot of verbal engagement in Olney is always welcome. If you live in northern VA and want a short cut to Olney See Post 39 Here. It's an easy 20 minute drive from the American Legion Bridge. A special Thanks to a FReeper FRiend for enhancing the original plain type directions. The Archive of Olney FReeps is here or in the LINKS section of Trooprally's ABOUT Page. WEATHER UPDATES HERE and HERE.
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