My mother always loved God Bless America--she had a beautiful voice. When she died I had a soloist sing that at the end of her funeral--her voice was just like my Mother's--everyone there remarked on it!
After the funeral I thanked the soloist. She said, "My mother sang at the Metropolitan Opera and sometimes she'd take me. One time I got to meet Kate Smith and of course heard her sing God Bless America in person. I never forgot it and always wanted to sing it the way she did. And today I got that chance!
My mother would have been so thrilled! She was such a patriot. She even stood for the National Anthem at home in front of the tv when she was watching her beloved Boston Red Socks play--with her hand over her heart! I know she'll be watching over all of us on Saturday with tears in her eyes!
Speaking of Saturday...The permits have been issued.
PERMIT UPDATE: GATHERING OF EAGLES Support Our Troops Rally, March 17, 2007, Washington, DC
Joyjoy has posted the best metro map I have seen with easy directions to get to Walter Reed and The Wall.
As for GOE.....take the Metro (blue or orange)to Foggy Bottom station and walk about 6 blocks to the Mall.
For those wishing to attend the Walter Reed Thursday afternoon FReep and/or the Friday night FReep, the closest metro stations to WRAMC are Silver Spring (red line) and Takoma (also red line) but it's a bit of a walk from either thru an area of "questionable ambiance"