Posted on 3/26/2003, 5:52:36 AM by tgslTakoma
Angelwood's Report:
The Patriots Rally for America V held on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial leading down to the reflecting pool was a resounding success. About 1,000 to 1,200 flag-waving patriots gathered together to say a few prayers, listen to inspiring speeches and rally in support of the men and women of the United States, Great Britain, Australia and other coalition forces who are in harm’s way and fighting to defend freedom and liberate Iraq.
It was a beautiful day with sunny skies, a brisk breeze to unfurl the flags and temperatures in the low 60's. The Lincoln Memorial rose majestically behind the speaker’s podium and the reflecting pool stretched out, it seemed, all the way to the Washington Monument. The only thing to mar the view was the fact that the reflecting pool had been emptied so the mud and silt on the bottom could be cleaned out.
BufordP and I were the first to arrive. We had to unload the car at the edge of the barriers which kept traffic away from the circle in front of the Lincoln Memorial. BufordP did all the hard work, which included transporting two 4x4 pieces of plywood that had to go under the generator – Park Permit rules.
While BufordP parked the car far away, our favorite sound crew arrived. Soon thereafter, there was a phone call from the man delivering the generator. We told him where he could pull up to unload and then had a group discussion on the best place to put the generator since it had to be pushed more than 30 yards and the grassy areas were too wet to put it on. One of the booth operators was kind enough to allow us to put the somewhat noisy generator on the sidewalk next to her booth. With a lot of cable, we were in business and the speakers could be positioned so that the speaker’s podium was front and centered on the top set of steps.
The sound system was magnificent. When everything was set up, the patriotic music that we played ahead of the start of the rally could easily be heard in back of us on the top step of the Lincoln Memorial and practically all the way to the Washington Monument.
We had American flags on 8 foot poles to place around the speaker’s podium. Unfortunately, the brisk wind was unfurling the flags a little too much and the poles were in danger of being blown over. We had to change our plan for six flags to three flags around the podium and one flag on each side of the speakers. We used the extra bases so that there were two bases holding down each flag. It worked out well.
More FReepers were arriving and we quickly set up the card tables and chairs for our Button/Information/Donation table and our Press Table and Sign-up Sheets. Nicollo, Taxman, Jimmy Valentine’s brother, daughterofTGSL and BufordP began handing out flyers to the tourists and residents of DC who walked by and asked about what was going to happen. There were many people who stopped to speak for a few minutes and say they would come back at 1 p.m. when the program was to begin. Unfortunately, a large number of tourists arrived on tour buses and were on schedules that would not permit them to come back to join in the rally to support our troops and President Bush.
Some representatives of the media arrived early. C-Span had decided not to cover our event this time, but we were pleasantly surprised when a cameraman from CNN showed up and asked our sound crew if he could hook up to their equipment. Local Channel 7 TV was on the scene early to do some interviews and they stayed until just after 3 p.m. They had a deadline to get back and do editing for the 6 o’clock news. More camera crews arrived and asked for feeds to our equipment. Our sound lady films our events for us and she was soon surrounded by at least a half dozen TV camera tripods. And, it was a real surprise to learn that Al Jazeera TV was even represented at our rally. By the way, C-Span did finally send someone to film soundbites.
People started arriving a little early. They were able to get spots along the steps where they could sit comfortably during the program. There were a number of visitors who brought chairs or blankets which they set up in the grassy areas. Some people also sat on the edge of the reflecting pool.
There was a group nearby at Constitution Gardens holding a protest against the war, though they said they supported the troops because they wanted to bring the troops home. The Vietnam Veterans Against the War had a march to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and then they stopped at several others before ending at the Korean Memorial. They laid wreaths at each stop. The Park Police kept this anti-war group separated from our group with their magnificent horses lined up between us. The Park Police always take great care in protecting our First Amendment rights as well as the rights of the anti-war groups. They did a great job on Sunday and we appreciate their professionalism.
It was time to start the Patriots Rally for America V with a moment of silence and a prayer for the men and women fighting the war on terrorism and for the liberation of Iraq, and especially for those who had died, were captured or wounded. The news of the capture and execution of some of our soldiers was distressing but only made our resolve to support the troops that much stronger.
Taxman read the Red Skelton version of the Pledge of Allegiance and led a couple of chants, USA-USA-USA and Free Iraq, Free Iraq, Free Iraq. Unexpectedly, right after this, we were joined by a group of Jr. ROTC members from a high school in Nevada, Missouri. They marched in formation from the edge of the walkway to the area behind the podium and looked very impressive even without uniforms. They stood at attention while their leader announced who they were that that they had been involved in a competition and had placed third. Everyone gave them a warm round of applause and Kristinn invited them to join the crowd for the length of time they would be able to stay.
My daughter, Sarah Wood, made me very proud once again as she sang our National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, to a recording by the Marine Band.
Our speakers all did a great job of stirring up the crowd. The DC Chapter of Free Republic was very honored and extends our thanks to each of our speakers.
The Honorable Steve King, Congressman (R-IA); The Honorable Robert K. Dornan, former Congressman (R-CA); The Honorable Robert Livingston, former Congressman (R-LA); James Parmelee, NorthernVirginiaGOP.com; Aziz Al-Taee, Chairman, Iraqi-American Council; Tanya Gilly, Women for a Free Iraq; Tom Fitton, President, Judicial Watch; Kristinn Taylor, D.C. Chapter of Free Republic.
The rally had a couple of disruptors – one woman was yelling. She was isolated by some DC Chapter members, the Park Police were consulted and she was talking quietly when they arrived. They decided to monitor her and did escort her from the area. Another woman came with 8 pages of a prepared speech and tried to get to the microphone. Kristinn refused her request to speak at our rally and I helped her to the edge of the staging area and called in reinforcements. The Park Police escorted her a distance away to hear her out. They did come back to ask if we would allow her to speak, but we declined since we do not know her or what she wanted to say.
After the last speaker, Cong. Livingston (who just happened to come by and stayed when we asked him to say a few words), Kristinn invited wives, girlfriends, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and anyone who had a loved one in the Armed Forces to come up on stage. Quite a few of these family members had signs and pictures of servicemen and women and all who wanted to were able to come to the microphone, announce the name and service of their loved one and say a few words.
We all joined together to sing God Bless America and we ended the rally with Proud to be an American, God Bless the U.S.A.
To those of you in the military, at home and abroad, frontlines and rearward... we extend our most heartfelt thanks, our prayers, and our support - to you and to your families.
You guys and gals couldn't be here in DC this past weekend to accept our thanks in person, so we're bringing the party to you, in words and photos.
I have to apologize for not getting the photo links up sooner, and not linking each photo in this article. I took more than 300 photos of the day's events, because I didn't want you all to miss anything or anybody, though I'm sure I missed a couple of people who were there. :-)
I sorted through that mass of photos and managed to cut that huge number of photos down to a more manageable 180 photos, and I just finished uploading them all. Rather than link each picture, I have decided for this event to give you links to the photo albums, which you can browse through or view as a slide show; and can see for yourselves just how much we love you all!
The day began for us at 9am at the Lincoln Memorial, as we started setting up for the rally. Click here to begin your day with us as we set up for and began the Rally.
A lot of folks came out to wave their flags, sing songs, and listen to stirring speeches; but most of all, they came out to salute you!
As the day progressed, we were honored to meet some of your families and friends; and they are so very proud of you, as are we all!
We send our most heartfelt thanks to you guys and gals who have volunteered to defend us from our enemies.
May your hearts be strong, and your aim be true. Godspeed you all!
And I invite anyone who may want to, please link any photo from the albums that you think folks may like to see. My eyes are about crossed right now, from sorting them all out, and I just plain ran out of time to link special pix. Tomorrow after work I may get back to it, if you all don't beat me to it (hint, hint).
Ducking...
First former Rep. Dornan, then Rep. King, and now former Rep Livingston. Maybe, just maybe, we will start to see many more elected and former elected officials coming out to stand up for America and to support our troops.
What a pleasant surprise to see Mr. Livingston standing quietly in the audience; and what a very nice man, too. He spent a lot of time talking with folks who came up and said hello to him.
Boy is he tall!
;-)
Tonight I'll link some of my very favorites. For now, you'll have to look at the whole albums...
Thanks for caring, nunya.
:-)
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