FREEPERS ATTEND AMHERST VETERAN'S DAY RALLY, CONFRONT THE PEACE NAZI'S!!!

Today was Veteran's day, even in the People's republic of Amherst Massachusetts. I was there, with Freeper Little Bill from Mass, DUTCHY from New York, and Freeper Lurker and Columnist Izzy Lyman. Several of the College age supporters were FR lurkers and welcomed us.

Me and Dutchy arrived about 10:30 to scope out the scene, and walked around trying to find coffee in this sleepy College town, settling on a Starbucks because it was open and near the car.

The Marine vet who organized the event, Rod Robeson (sp?) arrived with some help and set up chairs and a PA system.

I proudly held my Marine Corps flag, while handing my U.S. Flag to another veteran of WWII age to hold during the event. I was even given the honor of singing the National ANthem at the end of the rally.

What happened to our expectations, was a woman who later described herself as an anarchist, going by the name of Anita Lajoie, had the gall to walk over to the veteran's rally and stand on the side and in full view of others with a sign that promoted anarchy, and was a general insult to us vets. Some of the Blue Haired Vet's and Vet's wives went over and gaver her a piece of their mind.

When the rally was over, the peace NAZIS were there, about 10 of them, only 4 of them vocal, and I went over to give them a piece of my mind. I am absolutely furious that they showed up at a veteran's rally and tried to spew their venom at us, we vets who protected their freedoms all their lives, and then acted as if getting in our face was something right.

I proudly lost my temper with this crowd, telling them all the things I have been thinking and I am not ashamed. These people make me sick and they should be deported.

I explained to a local cable tv camera crew there, that I agreed with the woman's button that said "JUSTICE, NOT REVENGE". You see, revenge is a petty act, usually done because of some slight. HOWEVER, we should AVENGE this act of war on September 11. To AVENGE this act IS Justice, it is done in righteousness, it is done for a purpose that is greater than self, it is done to assure JUSTICE. AVENGE the Trade Center/PENTAGON Murders should be our cry.

I repeated many times, we were attacked, it was not some tragedy, it was an attack, and we should respond with military force to AVENGE this crime.

While Breaking to go to the local VFW for lunch, We had to walk the gauntlet...Ok, we didnt have to, but,you know...of the PEACE NAZIS. One tried to block my path on the sidewalk and I told him to get out of my way, I then started to sing KUM-BAY-YAH to OSAMA for them. Several of the PEACE NAZIS stated to confront me, a bad mistake when I am warmed up, and I let them have it. Two men came over to me and said they were Vietnam Vets, when did I serve, blah blah, and i told them and then returned the question to them. One said, "Yeah, Im a Vietnam Vet" and I asked, "Where? Long BINH??" He didnt even flinch and said, No, Quan Tri with some 1st Division headquarters and 3Rd Marine Headquarters.

I let into these two, callng them cowards who should know better, especially since we were attacked. I also reminded them that they are holding hands with the same scum that called them baby killers and spit on them when they got back to LAX. The taller of the two shook his head and walked away, disappointed I didnt cower from him.

Myself and DUTCHY also were invited to attend a College Republicans in the afternoon, and we both agreed to speak at this rally. It was a proud moment, so different from the morning, to see young college age men and women who wanted to see veterans, and to show respect. I believe me and Dutchy and Little Bill did FR proud this day.

Pictures will be uploaded and a link provided soon.

Following Sept. 11, Veterans Day takes on added significance

By GREG SUKIENNIK The Associated Press 11/11/01 3:16 PM

BOSTON (AP) -- Veterans Day tributes across the state took on a special meaning Sunday in the wake of the Sept. 11 terror attacks and the military action in Afghanistan.

Acting Gov. Jane Swift was among those hailing members of the armed services and their families at a Statehouse service, hailing veterans as an important example as the state and country struggle to deal with the aftermath of the attacks.

"I stand before you as Governor but more importantly as a grateful citizen who appreciates you deeply," Swift told a crowd of about 200 veterans and their survivors. "You are the men and women who paid the price for us."

Maureen Cabral, whose husband, Navy pilot Lt. John Cabral, was shot down over the Gulf of Tonkin on June 16, 1972, said the surge in patriotism and recognition of veterans following the attacks "is at it should be."

"This year people have finally come back and realized the value of what veterans have done," she said. Swift pointed to Russell Buchanan, 101, of Watertown, who served in World War I in the Navy and in World War II in the Army's "Yankee Division" in Europe. "You never thought you would be called to duty at 101 years old, but I can think of no better person to guide us," she said of him.

Buchanan, who walks two laps around a shopping mall daily to keep fit, offered this advice: "Stand up for the USA and give all you can, even if it hurts."

Seated in the front row at the ceremony were members of the Gold Star Mothers and the Gold Star Wives, a group for the mothers and widows of veterans.

"I get tearful," said Rose Brennan of Ayer, whose late husband, Thomas Brennan Sr., served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. "I think of all the good times we had."

In Amherst, a Veterans Day rally organized by supporters of the U.S. military effort quickly escalated into a shouting match with peace activists.

Anita Lajoie, who called herself an anarchist, said she wanted "no government -- just peace in the world, no guns, no government, just peace."

A group gathered around Lajoie, and a man holding a Marine Corps flag traded insults. The man, who refused to give his name, told peace protesters they were communists and traitors.

Later, when a pair of A-10 warplanes from Barnes Air National Guard base flew over the Amherst Common, pro-war demonstrators cheered while Elana Margolis, a first-year student at Hampshire College, fought back tears.

"How can you clap for that? That's not the sound of freedom," she said. "It's just a really sad day when idea of loving one's country is held in contrast to loving other people."

Larry Kelley of Amherst, who arranged the informal rally and fly-over, said the presence of counterprotesters didn't bother him.

"This is their turf. They've been here for 35 years," he said, motioning to activists, who have long held a weekly peace rally on the town common.

This PC crap is not just in your area.

Today we went to one of the ceremonies in our area paying tribute to the Vets of all wars, those present and those fallen. It was a wonderful service.

While there I was talking to one of the members of our Marine Corps League and asked about the ceremony out at one of the collges in our area where members of the detachment were to have a gun salute... see a memorial was established to honor all the vets who had attended this collge.

You know what the college wanted the Marine honor guard to do? Not fire the rifle... they didn't want the sound of rifle fire to scare the students.. Instead they wanted the command to be " ready, aim, drum roll"! Yup.." ready, aim, drum roll". They, the ivory league profs were told no deal, either we do a rifle salute correctly or we won't do it at all! The college finally relented!

And we wonder why we have adults saying " we need to ask why the taliban hates us. What did WE do to make them hate us?" Sheesh

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