Posted below is the press release for this event that was developed by FReepers, SLJP, JustAmy and others on this thread: http://www.FreeRepublic.com/focus/fr/552440/posts

Press Release
Fresno Chapter of Free Republic to Hold Rally on Friday, October 26 -- Trick or Treat for our Troops!

For Immediate Release -- before Friday, October 26 and Friday, November 2.

Fresno, October 23, 2001: The Fresno Chapter of FreeRepublic will gather on the southwest corner of Shaw and Blackstone on October 26. This pro-American rally group invites all Fresno area citizens to bring items to donate for our troops who have been deployed to the War on Terrorism. The rally will begin at 5:00 p.m. and end at approximately 7:30 p.m. Customary wear for adults is casual and patriotic attire, while flags and banners are appreciated, and children in Halloween costume are welcome.

The FReeper group customarily rallies at this same location, at the same time, every Friday evening. Come join them for all or part of this Friday's rally, and bring your donations for a naval military unit stationed near Afghanistan. Customary items for donations are listed on the S.O.S. web site, which is found at http://www.opsos.org. Generally, nothing that will break, leak, or melt is accepted. Practical items include hard candies, gum, international phone cards, "AA" batteries, playing cards, toothbrushes, and other personal hygiene items (no aerosols please). Christmas decorations and other seasonal items would be timely as well.

On the following Friday, November 2, the group will be there collecting more items for our troops. In addition, they will have a large banner with an inspirational message for our sailors that they ask everyone to drop by and sign. The banner will be sent along, to be hung in their mess hall. All donations will be packaged and sent to the unit on or before November 5, so please make sure to attend a rally before then. Your presence is always welcome, at every rally, to show support for all our troops during this time of war.

Basic directions to the Rally site: If coming from the South, from Hwy 99 take Hwy 41 North; at Shaw Ave make a left (west); proceed about 1/4 mile to Blackstone. Coming from the North, from Hwy 99 you take the Shaw Avenue exit and turn east (toward the University). From there, it is approximately five miles to Blackstone Avenue. You will see the FReepers waving their flags and signs on the corner.

Be prepared to have a blast, meet terrific people, and laugh until your sides ache. The best part, though, is the feeling you will get when supporting our military, our president, and our country. The Fresno FReepers are but one chapter of a nationwide group called Free Republic, whose web site can be found at http://www.freerepublic.com.

We do not like war any more than they do, but we feel we must fight to defend our nation when attacked by foreign powers. This fight was brought to us. We did not go looking for it. The blood of our countrymen has been spilled on American soil through cowardly and barbaric attacks perpetrated by hostile foreign forces. This must not be allowed to stand!

Amen!

A Mel Gibson, you are.......

Be there for our troops. They are "over there" for you.

jkphoto and I will be there, probably around 6:30. Been looking forward to this all week. See ya tomorrow.

BUMP!

Good FReeping to you Jim, and to all the Fresno FReepers. And for those of you on the other coast, you are welcome at the White House FReep for the same cause this Saturday.

Thanks very much. Will enjoy FReeping with you and Mr. Bear again. And, also, thanks very much to you and the Mr. for creating the new signs (and the great photos). Regards, Jim Robinson

Thanks for all your work each and every week.

I'll be there for sure (I wouldn't miss it for the world)!

Good luck with the peaceniks. I thought they bred 'em better than that down in Fresno (I'm originally from Sacramento), or are these people out-of towners?

Our anti-American crowd is pretty young and there is only about 30 or 40 of them. This week we plan to out-number them.
We are expecting a good sized crowd for our Treats for Troops/Support our Troops Rally.

Bump for the patriots.

We are issuing a special invitation for you to join us in our Treats For Troops/Support Our Troops Rally.
Come by for a while and bring your kids or grandkids.

We are issuing a special invitation for you to join us in our Treats For Troops/Support Our Troops Rally.
Come by for a while and bring your kids or grandkids.

We are issuing a special invitation for you to join us in our Treats For Troops/Support Our Troops Rally.
Come by for a while and bring your kids or grandkids.

We are issuing a special invitation for you to join us in our Treats For Troops/Support Our Troops Rally.
Come by for a while and bring your kids or grandkids.

Bump! Happy Treats for Troops Friday!

We are issuing a special invitation for you to join us in our Treats For Troops/Support Our Troops Rally.
Come by for a while and bring your kids or grandkids.

If I've missed anyone, please forgive me and come by our Rally. Let me know that your were missed. I did not flag any of you that have been working on this special FReep.

I'm looking forward to meeting you tomorrow.

How are you feeling this morning? You must get well enough to join us today. It would not be the same without you.

The news is not good, i'm afraid. This illness has followed the pattern of my usual cold type things and has moved into my chest. So it looks like hubby's gonna bring the barrel. Everybody take lots of pics and I'll look for y'all on the news!