Posted on 08/07/2011 5:19:17 AM PDT by kburi
Finally, a warm somewhat breezy Friday evening at the front gates of Walter Reed. A solid group of fourteen Freepers holding signs and flags in front of the banners received honks and waves from passing cars. You wouldn’t know that Walter Reed is closing three weeks from now.
Three buses and several cars carried the wounded warriors and family to dinner and an evening of entertainment in near-by Maryland. Returning after 9pm, they were cheered into Walter Reed by our stalwart group.
The Aleethia Foundation has done a wonderful job over the past seven years coordinating these Friday evening dinners. They will continue to coordinate these dinners from the newly named Walter Reed National Medical Center.
Tonight we spoke to several soldiers and wounded warriors who were coming into or leaving the post.
A car just leaving Walter Reed pulled over. Juan, a double- amputee, rolled down the rear seat window to say good-by to CindyTrueSupporter who has visited with him for the past two years during his recovery. Juan’s sister was driving him to NJ for a family visit before he moves to Florida where a home has been specially built for him to accommodate his injuries. We wish him all the best.
An Army Sergeant, Medical Corps, came outside to pick up a food order and spent a few minutes talking to us. He will be going to Belvoir to work with the wounded warriors going there.
A Walter Reed Security Police car passed slowly by Mrs Trooprally and the driver said “Keep up the good work”. She said thank you , and the response over the car’s loudspeaker was a very loud “YOU ARE WELCOME”
We had two large pizzas tonight and the Free Republic food court provided a good break area for the Freepers.
We received a letter from Elizabeth Fisher of Virginia, who wanted to join us, but isn’t able to. Her letter is below.
To The Unfailingly Faithful Supporters
of the Patients At Walter Reed
I wish to say thank you for finding nothing more important in your Friday evenings than being right there
at Walter Reed to praise our soldiers who pay such a price to keep us free and safe.
We stay so busy enjoying these protections that we often take for granted; and then, sadly,
not enough of us take time to do what you have done…
offer a few hours each week to say a big thank you to theses brave stalwarts who make our wonderful lives possible.
And now it is time to thank you for representing all of us in gratitude outside the gates of Walter Reed.
You, too, are heroes who make our country so great!!
Barbara Fisher
Alexandria, VA
Tonight was the 329th consecutive Friday night that the DC Chapter of Free Republic has been at the front gates of Walter Reed to support our soldiers. Our calculator says that is 6 years, 4 months and 1 week of consecutive Friday evenings. A lot of people over the six years have made this commitment possible.
It doesn’t seem possible, but after tonight only three Friday evenings remain.
August Calendar For the Walter Reed Transition
The DC Chapter of Free Republic invites all who have participated over the past 6 ½ years to join us on any the dates below that you can.
August 12, 19, and 26 We will continue at the front gates until the last wounded warriors are moved to Bethesda. We expect the Friday night dinner buses to operate through early August. However, it depends on how many wounded warriors sign up. Many are already at Walter Reed National Medical Center in Bethesda.
The Aleethia Foundation is already coordinating these dinners from (get used to the new name) the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, or WRNMMC for short.
The DC Chapter will continue at the front gates of Walter Reed until August 26. Walter Reed officially closes during the last week of August .
FReepers and Lurkers on August 5, 2011
Mr. and Mrs Trooprally, CindyTrueSupporter, Fraxinus, GunsAreOK, Kburi, Lurkers Allie, Bill, Jim and Jessica, PresUSA222, RonGKirby, Sensei Ern, Tammycat and Idaho,
Moonbat News
Four moonbats tonight. Very quiet on the moonbat front. Two started at 7pm, joined by 2 more at 8, and all left promptly at 9 pm.
FOOTNOTES
The DC Chapter invites you to join us every Friday night between the hours of 6:30pm to approximately 9:30pm. The last Walter Reed dinner buses are scheduled through early August. And we plan to soldier on until the last wounded warrior has been transferred (August 26 will be our last Friday night). So the clock is ticking and we would be honored to have you join us before these long term consecutive Friday evening rallies come to a close.
BufordP's Walter Reed FReep archive
Trooprally , Jessica,TammyCat and Mrs Trooprally – getting ready for the evening
Kburi and RonGKirby
Food Court Break 
PrezUSA222 in front of Flag Row
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Jessica 
DAV Bus (1) Returns 
Followed By Buses 2 and 3 
At the Casing of the Colors Ceremony, July 28, 2011 - Trooprally, Colonel McHugh (Walter Reed Garrison Commander) and Ted Nettles of MDPatriot Guard 
DC PING
DollyCali’s video link will be corrected. It was posted incorrectly.
Excellent job, you guys! I’ve posted to my Facebook page.
But you forgot PrezUSA trying to join in the smoking corner. Best he could muster though was a pretzel. And it wouldn't light!!
[Mr] T
This is a lot like when my kids graduated from high school. The question kept coming up: “What are you going to do with your life?” After all of you have sacrificed and worked, froze and burned, and accepted the thanks of a grateful nation: “What are you going to do with your Friday nights?” I’m sure that a lot of Americans join me in expressing our undying love and appreciation for what you have done. God bless you every one.
Maryland PING!
It will take a while to sink in that we have Friday nights free. I do know that there is much for FR to do being so close to Washington. Not having our energy dedicated to WR will allow us to do other things.
Of course we still have Saturday mornings in Olney where the Quakers are protesting. We are at our 5 1/2 years there. WR regulars Lurker Bill, Cindy_True_Supporter, Fraxinus, GunsAreOK and the Trooprallys are also regulars there. We are joined by the local Legionaries. The Quakers are down to 4-5. When it gets hot, 1 or 2 non-quakers show up while the Quakers stay home. The Quakers are older 1960s left overs.
[Mr] T
Great to see the pictures from this past Friday! You DC patriots are the best!
Sure you all will keep going in support of our Military in every way you can. And I know Freeper patriots from across the country will join you whenever possible.
If it happens that our presence is needed in front of the Canan Bldg or elsewhere to bring attention to Military issues, we will also make our Florida truck wheels roll up there to DC! :)
Wow.....we can only say wow to the dedication and perseverance of a band of truly great Americans (and Freepers) who have made the effort to show those wounded warriors support.
We thank you
Then there are the Moonbats. What bitter vindictive hatred could cause them to turn out?
sorry for the late response to the thread. I was gone all last week in the upper Wisconsin (Door county) peninsula w/o phone/internet. It was terrific there but I must admit to being in withdrawal along the way
It was so good being with you all last week & I know that as these Friday night watches come to an end there will be a profound void for many of you. Perhaps you can do once a month visitation at Bethesda & the Freepers who can come & join you will be part of it. I do this at our local Cleveland VAs.
Josy & Toby are most welcome & we spend time just talking, writing letters for the men/women(who cant at this point); and in general just starting up a friendship
For all the FReepers who say they wish they could be part of this work you have done...I say you can. Just in a little different way
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