Posted on 12/09/2001 9:53:48 AM PST by TheRightWingConspiracy
It wasn’t your average FReep this morning. Sure, it was Saturday, sure all the usual suspects were there across the street.
Maybe it was the chill in the air, maybe it was just this particular morning, but there was a charge, a twinge of excitement out there.
For those not yet familiar, we’ve made a point of it to be out there every Saturday. To call it a patriotic demonstration would do it little justice…no, this is far more. We show up each Saturday morning, across from the Walnut Street post office and catch the briefest glimpse at the indomitable spirit of America. Not the protesters, and their anti-American spite, nor even those faithful few standing alongside us each week, but what speeds by in every car and rings with every honk.
This morning was different, though. Earlier this week Ashley Varner, President of the College Republicans and FreeRepublic’s own DogRobber butted heads with Mark Hiem, not an easy task. Just from listening to the program, the sense was that with every word out of Ashley and DogRobber’s mouth, the hatred of the Peace Protesters, and as a result their resolve, gelled. They were probably were going to be out in force this week.
Ashley did her best to organize the base, but sickness knocked out BlueSageWoman, work kept DogRobber, and finals week here at the University claimed many of the fifteen or so faithful.
With some dismay, four of us took to the street corner with signs. The protesters across the street out numbered us 5 to 1. It was cold too, not the most cheerful weather to support much of anything. And our signs seemed insignificant compared to their crowd. The Peace Demonstrators across the street grinned in our direction, already claiming victory because of their numbers.
Something came over us, though. We stripped down to our t-shirts, we took off our gloves and hats, and yes, we were cold, but, we decided, when we’re outnumbered what better time to be on your toes?
And so the four of us, freezing cold, outnumbered 5 to 1, began our protest.
Honks are always nice. We usually get all of the honks on those Saturday mornings, but they’re inconsistent at best. Most times there’s a friendly wave or a thumbs up, a smile or a quiet cheer. There’s always a feeling of overwhelming support, to be sure, but never enough to dismay any liberals.
The honks began early this morning, though. Loud, thunderous honks, big grins, thumbs up from passing police officers…one man came up and thanked us individually, another bought us cookies to keep us warm.
The honks kept coming, a chorus of joyful appreciation…all for our one sign that read: “Honk for our troops.”
More smiles and grins, more honks. A woman came by to thank us for supporting her daughter. We thanked her instead. It wasn’t us that needed praise. She felt inspired and picked up a sign that read: “Troops are heroes.”
It poured in…from a block away, cars turning at the corner would honk. Somehow they could read the sign. Or they could just tell.
A veteran walking by thanked us, and two more friends came to hold signs. Still the honks, smiles, waves and thumbs up. The sun broke overhead, and somewhere, in our hodgepodge group of six college students and a mom, someone put us back in perspective. It was Bush’s line: “We will not tire, we will not falter and we will not fail.” It all seemed so clear.
This…this might just be America, we decided.
Not the peace demonstrators, not the Hate America First groups, not the whiners or complainers, but these folks. The ones who put two and two together, that their freedom wasn’t free and never will be…that their lives and happiness and safety were dependent on people they would never meet. And so they honked and smiled and cheered and gave thumbs up.
But it wasn’t our praise…we didn’t deserve it.
Men and women of the United States military, this morning was for you.
May I never forget your sacrifice.
Where exactly was this?
Columbia Missouri. Home of the very liberal Univ. of Missouri.
Way to go Missouri freepers. I'm planning on making the drive over from KC after the first of the year if you're still doing this. Can't before then.
This IS what it's all about.
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