Richmond's Rally for America - Post Rally Report

03/23/2003 | P8riot

[P8riot]

Great Job Richmond! Over 10,000 strong. Post your comments, photos, etc

[Ligeia]

Mud, what an afternoon! I'm so proud of everyone involved. The barbershop singers, the Virginians were awesome, the gospel choir singing the "Battle Hymn" were great, (prerecorded music during the waiting time included "Johnny Comes March Home" for the unified front!) the invocation captured just the right tone for a time of war, on and on....

The area held 6,000 and I think Michael Graham or Glenn Beck said we were double that as the crowd had to stand around the edges, up the hill and in the parking lot. The rally started late so as to allow all the folks to get in who were still backed up down the highway!

I loved the Black Hawk circling at a most appropriate moment, but I have to say one of the major highlight for me was Mr. Henry's presentation. I was a bit concerned at first due to the open-air venue and the unruliness that tends to accompany a rally atmosphere. By the time Mr. Henry had finished his brief introduction, the crowd was completely engrossed and no one moved a muscle, even the small children who were playing in the gravel nearby. I had chills and goosebumps, it was so moving. I was reminded of how timeless the message of liberty is and how it spoke to me at this point in time. It was powerful and I know the entire crowd was moved and inspired.

[Blennos]

Near Richmond, Virginia, on Sunday, police said more than 5,000 people showed up to show their support for the war -- something veteran Terry Steer said they could have used during Vietnam.

We made the international press. The above is from a story in the Jerusalem Post.

If Freepers are everywhere, then I must have stumbled over quite a few of them. We need a secret handshake or something to identify ourselves from the usual mob. Or perhaps you could tell by the dignity, poise, and look of sophistifcation about the brow. Jerusalem Post article

[SarahW]

So did DH live up to the billing I gave him?

(The enthusiastic folks around me whooped and got all teary.)

[Ligeia]

Way to go, Richmond! Keep up the troop support, especially in these hardest of days!

Thanks for the words of encouragement. It was a wonderful afternoon!

[Ligeia]

It was beautiful and goose bump material.

It sure was. Let's do it again!

[PatrickHenryinVA]

Thanks for your compliment! I was honored to be there, and what a great audience! I'm proud to be a Virginian and an American! Everyone was incredibly nice and polite and very thankful for the efforts made by me and the other presenters.

[small voice in the wilderness]

There had to be at least 10,000 people there! It was awesome! I was looking forward to meeting fellow FReepers, but there were just TOO many people, and that's a GOOD THING! God Bless our President, our troops, and our nation.

[Ligeia]

By the time we arrived, about 12:30, the place was mobbed. I waded through the crowd while my wife waited in the very long porta-potty queue, but I couldn't find the FR contingent. It was rather difficult to see standing down in the field, so we climbed up onto the little hill.

All in all, it was a fine showing, but where were the Freepers?

You arrived just before we did. If one were to stand facing the stage, we were at 11:00. I saw Mr. Henry in the "backstage" area but as that section was roped off, I couldn't speak to him. It was pure chance that Mud and I ran into each other as we had no prearranged meeting spot. Mud had a camera and we took some pics, one of Mud painting our Free Republic sign which we held up in case anyone looked our way.

Glenn Beck is someone I don't hear on the radio, so I was interested to hear what he's about. I could identify with his pining for Norman Rockwell's America.

What's the name of the theater with "Creek" in the name in Richmond? I think the next one will have to be there to accomodate everyone!

[Mudboy Slim]

Ligeia and her son and I were about 30 yards left of the stage, within 10 feet of that Viet Nam Veteran's table...an excellent day all in all, but next time the Old Dominion FReepers get together, we need a little bit smaller crowd to sift thru...LOL!! Over 10,000 patiotic, flag-waving Americans!! Reminded me a lot of the air shows my parents usedta always take me!!

Me thinks this ain't the last Richmond Rally FOR America we'll have the opportunity to enjoy...next time, we'll do a better job coordinating our meeting points, etc. Glen Beck was great, wasn't he? I'm gonna haveta startt listening to the radio more often before noon EST!!

FReegards...MUD

[The Mayor]

There I am in the 7th pic down.

I'm still trying to upload mine

be back as soon as I can : )

[Blennos]

I am sorry I missed meeting you chaps, but this day really wasn't for us -- it was to show the world that America proudly, unashamedly loves and supports its troops. This we did and it was noticed. We made a difference.

The naysayers, the hand-wringers, the malcontents of our society are missing that sublime feeling one gets when one loves this great country. Paint me old-fashioned, corny and red, while and blue.

[Ligeia]

What a great turnout! Richmond and New York should be proud, and of course so should all the other rallies :)

It was great! Spending the day with 12,000 kindred spirits...like FReepers!

[Ligeia]

Amen to that. The left just doesn't know what they're missing. Speaking of which, I spotted our Guv when I first arrived. He was walking his bicycle past me so I shook his hand and told him how happy I was he came. I caught his eye checking out my Free Republic button. Militiaman7 has a great picture of an unsuspecting candidate Warner holding a bright yellow Free Republic banner, for which he was a very good sport when he realized what he'd done. When did he die his hair that awful color? If he worked the crowd, I didn't see it. I never saw him once the rally began.

Yes, lots of corny folks turned up this afternoon. I'm so glad they did. It was a rough day to listen to the news and a good day to get out and cheer for truth, justice and the American way.

[Ligeia]

Hey, how was your trip?

[P8riot]

Great meeting you today!, and your lurker friend. Sorry I missed everyone else.

[P8riot]

Thanks! Photography is one of my passions. Even so out of the 50 or so that I took today these 15 were the best.

The day was absolutely perfect, and I was awestruck by the turnout as well. I was there with two buddies that are not FReepers, one of them has a son that is an F-18 pilot on the USS Abraham Lincoln, and has been deployed since July. He's been causing some seious heartaches to the Iraqi's. You all need to keep him and his wife in prayer. He was married in October 2001, and hasn't seen his wife since he deployed. His call sign is Lo-Roller. I won't pass out his name.

[P8riot]

Sarah,

Thank you for sharing Micharl with us all today. He is indeed a treasure. One of my all-time heroes has been Patrick Henry, and I love the way that he brings him alive. I have thoroughly enjoyed his portrayals at St. John's over the years as well. Please be sure to thank him for all of us, and for me personally.

[M Kehoe]

Great after action report. Great crowd. Henrico/Chesterfield/Richmond did us all proud.

5.56mm

[Ligeia]

has a son that is an F-18 pilot on the USS Abraham Lincoln, and has been deployed since July. He's been causing some seious heartaches to the Iraqi's. You all need to keep him and his wife in prayer. He was married in October 2001, and hasn't seen his wife since he deployed. His call sign is Lo-Roller. I won't pass out his name.

My church has some serious prayer warriors and is keeping a growing list of specific names people in my congregation are praying for, each one individually. It's now the size of a small-town phonebook. We'd be proud to lift Lo-Roller and his family up in prayer.

Did you see the videographer on the fork lift today? Has WRVA said what they plan to do with the video of the rally? I'm hoping they put it on their homepage so troops all around the world can access it when able.

[P8riot]

Micharl=Michael (typing too fast)