Free Republic

Part Three and the last of catching up with my back log of missing AARs. As mentioned in Parts One and Two, a very good way to remember and honor our Marines, soldiers, sailors, airmen and coasties who have given their lives over the past 2 centuries is by getting caught up on the AARs for Olney, MD’s Support the Troops Rallies during this Memorial Day Weekend. Part of the freedom we have is being able to stand on any corner in America and have the freedom to express ourselves. The patriots in Olney stand to give voice to our...

Part Two of catching up with my back log of missing AARs. As mentioned in Part One, a very good way to remember and honor our Marines, soldiers, sailors, airmen and coasties who have given their lives over the past 2 centuries is by getting caught up on the AARs for Olney, MD’s Support the Troops Rallies during this Memorial Day Weekend. Part of the freedom we have is being able to stand on any corner in America and have the freedom to express ourselves. The patriots in Olney stand to give voice to our military against those who scorn...

Seems like a very good way to remember and honor our Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen who have given their lives over the past 2 centuries is by getting caught up on the Support the Troops Rallies in Olney AARs during this Memorial Day Weekend. Part of the freedom we have is being able to stand on any corner in America and have the freedom to express ourselves. The patriots in Olney stand to give voice to our military against those who scorn and disrespect our brave military. One other thought is also paramount in our minds. We let our...

The White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday night brought out not only media celebrities but also their critics. The D.C. Chapter of Free Republic gathered outside of the Washington Hilton and heckled (H/T Marooned in Marin blog) attendees who walked past them or drove by. The group is known to do this every year for the past 13 WHCD's.

With regulars Fraxinus and GunsAreOK not being able to make it today, our ranks were filled in by other FReepers. Sensei Ern and Cindy_True_Supporter with her dog Augie unexpectedly showed up to make eight. Just like at Walter Reed, one never knows who actually will stop by but the good number of patriots makes for part of the Almost Perfect Rally. The 8 patriots this week include Legionnaires Halsey (USMC - Korea) and Carl (Army - Vietnam), Lurkers Bill and Jim, and Cindy_True_Supporter, Sensei Ern, [Mrs] T and myself. If you have been keeping up with the moonbats’ numbers the...

Two Saturdays, Support the Troops Rally vs a anti-troop protest, two massages, and the moonbat hypocrisy. Seems that the moonbats, aka the Quakers, aka the “quackers”, can’t seem to stay on message or be true to their beliefs. Read on and see the differences between the two weeks. WEEK 315, FEBRUARY 04,2012The 7 patriots this week include Legionnaire Halsey (USMC - Korea), Lurkers Bill and Jim, Cindy_True_Supporter, GunsAreOK, [Mrs] T and myself. A Big THANK YOU to [Mrs] T for faithfully taking picture each week. On cold days she has to keep the camera inside her jacket so the batteries...

Two weeks worth of AARs in this report. Last week got away from me. WEEK 313, JANUARY 21,2012God looked down upon us this Saturday. The night before a little over an inch of snow fell. Streets were predicted to be icy and as the morning wore on, an icy cold rain was to continue. But as I said, God was pleased with our support of the troops and the rain basically stopped. The roads were just wet and the shopping center had shoveled the corner. With the anticipated rain, we only put up the flanking flags. Plus with the snow...

Our Florida Chapter is there and will be posting first hand reports and photos!! Go, Florida!! Kristinn says there's a huge crowd forming and lots of media trucks. Go, NEWT!! Go, tea party!! Rebellion is here!! Join, or die!! --Ben Franklin

I had to laugh when I opened the photobucket file for this week. [Mrs] T said that she didn’t take a lot of pictures. But only FIVE - it just made me laugh. Part of the reason was that the camera got so cold so quick that the batteries lost their umph. The other reason was [Mrs] T’s trigger finger also got real cold even though she was layered with foot and hand warmers. How cold was it? 25 degrees with a moderate wind. Do I hear violins from some of you in North Dakota? I bet you do not...

The DC Chapter brought in the New Year with Olney’s 6 Year Anniversary in Support of Our Troops.The 8 patriots this week include Legionnaires Glenn (USMC - WWII), Halsey (USMC - Korea), Lurker Jim (Army - Vietnam Vet), Cindy_True_Supporter, Fraxinus, iMacMan, [Mrs] T and myself. BELOW: And for our special occasion, we brought the MOAB out. iMacMan and I are putting it together. We were told NO donuts or hot chocolate until it is up. Weather was nice out today, at least at the start. While setting up I had my jacket off. After a while the wind picked up...

Seven Patriots supported our troops in Olney this morning of New Year’s Eve. Our special guest today was 3DJoy who brought up some warm southern temps for the DC area the past 10 days. Some spring bulbs even started to come up. While I was in the sun, I had to remove my jacket. Of course when the shade over took my spot, it got a little chilly and back on went the jacket. We also had a “newbie” today. Martin from [Mrs] T’s and Cindy_True_Supporter’s American Legion Post. Martin had such a good time waving, talking with every one...

I'm the guy in the BRIGHT Orange coat(boy do I look STUPID)!

No matter what the weather, what the holiday, what the country, our military perform their duty 24/7/365. The least we can do is show our support. And this week in Olney Santa and his elves do our duty. BELOW: SANTA - love the shades. Santa’s patriotic elves this week include Legionnaire Halsey (USMC - Korea), GunsAreOK, [Mrs] T and myself. As usual, pictures by [Mrs] Trooprally BELOW LEFT TOP: Halsey BELOW RIGHT TOP: GunsAreOK BELOW BOTTOM: ME We had a Navy Vet stop and thank us for being out there. He gave us the BELOW pin and said that it...

Patriots in Olney on this Saturday are: Legionnaires Halsey (USMC - Korea) and Carl (Army - Vietnam), Lurkers Bill and Deb and FReepers Cindy_True_Supporter, Fraxinus, GunsAreOK, iMacMan, [Mrs] T and myself. Nothing special to report today. Just another great time to support our troops and visit with friends. BELOW LEFT: Lurker Deb and Cindy_True_Supporter. BELOW RIGHT: Me & Fraxinus BELOW LEFT: Fraxinus, GunsAreOK and iMacMan BELOW RIGHT: Halsey and Carl. BOTTOM: Lurker Bill And of course the moonbats are still out, mixing messages just like the “occupiers” that they support.

After a breezy time on the corner for the Olney Freep, several FReepers spent an hour or so at the Olney Compound before heading out to Lurker Bill’s for the DC Chapter’s Christmas Party. This is our 2nd year at Lurker Bill’s and we THANK HIM and PAULA, his wife, for their hospitality. BELOW LEFT: Our hostess, Mrs. Lurker Bill - aka Paula, pulling the winning ticket for the flag with certificate that was flown over the old Walter Reed hospital on its last day (Sept. 15,2011) under Army command. BELOW RIGHT: Our host, Lurker Bill, unwrapping his White Elephant...

As everyone is aware, winter is creeping closer. In the western parts of Maryland there has been several "measurable" snow falls. I know, several inches is nothing compared to some places, but here in Maryland, it is the talk of the day. The colder weather is still bearable but the wind today made it uncomfortable. The flags looked good though. BufordP - This flag is for you. Patriots in Olney on this Saturday are: Lurker Bill and FReepers Fraxinus, GunsAreOK, iMacMan, [Mrs] T and myself. iMacMan has been out with us the last month or so. iMac is a "cold...

For the last two weeks in Olney the patriots continued our Support the Troops Rally. Patriots in Olney on these past two Saturday are: Legionnaires Dave (Army - WWII) and friend Janet, Halsey (USMC - Korea), Lurkers Bill and Jim, and FReepers Fraxinus, iMacMan, [Mrs] T and myself. BELOW LEFT: Lurker Bill BELOW RIGHT: Legionnaire Dave BELOW LEFT: iMacMan and me BELOW RIGHT: Fraxinus BELOW LEFT: Lurker Jim BELOW RIGHT: Me & Halsey BELOW: Some supporters. And NO. The first picture is not a VIP caravan coming thru Olney. Yes, the moonbats are still out there. They are changing their...

Earlier last week one of our American Legion supporters of our Support the Troops Rally in Olney died in an accident while on vacation in the Caribbean. Dennis, U.S. Army and Korean War Vet, was an frequent and welcomed supporter in Olney. Always friendly towards patriots, he did not like the moonbats’ message. He will be sorely missed. BELOW: Dennis with his patriotic singing bear and Halsey, U.S. Marine and also a Korean War Vet, and AL Post Commander. Patriots in Olney on this Saturday are: Lurker Bill and FReepers Fraxinus, GunsAreOK, iMacMan, [Mrs] T and myself. Apologies to Fraxinus...

For 302 Weeks patriots have been supporting our military in Olney. This Saturday a Navy Vet stopped by to THANK US with a bag of WARM egg ‘n cheese bagels. While it was not extremely cold, there was a chill and the warmth of the bagels was welcomed. Probably more welcome was eating the bagels while the "quackers" looked on. BELOW: Lurker Jim, a Vietnam Vet himself, thanks Navy Vet for the bagels. Patriots in Olney on this Week 302: Legionnaires Glenn (USMC - Iwo Jima) and Carl (Army - Vietnam) along with Lurkers Bill and Jim, and FReepers GunsAreOK,...

The old hippie lib “Quackers” did what was expected of them - They have been to another anarchist protest. They were pawns, sheeple, morons in a movement that they think they understand. The only way the real organizers behind the “occupiers” could get big enough crowds is to get every lib, leftists and anti-American group possible to show up. BUT, there is hope for our future if we can hold the line.This week our daughter and 3 of our grand kids were in Olney to help out. Our patriots extent across 7 decades - from our 9 year old granddaughter...

Fall weather is definitely upon us. The weather changes from moment to moment. Just yesterday, Thursday, Oct. 13, after a rainy morning, the sun popped out to warm us up to the mid-70s. Then storms rolled in during the rush hour, only to have a tornado touch down on I-95 near Quantico Marine Base. But I have to go back two Saturdays to our Olney Support the Troops Rally. BELOW LEFT: Oct. 01 in Olney. Mid-50s, slight breeze and an occasional cold drizzle. BELOW RIGHT: Oct. 08, Warm and sunny. OCTOBER 01 - WEEK 297 Patriots that were there the...

After several weeks of having other commitments, The American Legion presence was once again felt on the corner. Joining us were Glenn (USMC - Iwo Jima), Dave (Army - WWII) and friend Janet, and Halsey (USMC - Korea). Glenn has been on sick leave for about 4 weeks but made it back as soon as he felt better. 6 other Patriots in Olney this Saturday include Lurkers Bill & Jim, Fraxinus, GunsAreOK, [Mrs] Trooprally and myself Altogether there were 10 patriots supporting our troops. Pics by [Mrs] Trooprally BELOW: Glenn, Janet and Dave taking up position on our left flank....

Lazy Saturday morning this week. Best things going is the we once again out numbered the moonbats, 7-5, and Lurker Bill’s music (BELOW). If you have been at Walter Reed the last 2 years or so, you would have heard his combo of patriotic songs, service melodies, Barry Sadler’s Ballad of the Green Berets, big band music and what I call jungle music. Of course I also like Robert Horton’s Sink the Bismarck and original version of Battle of New Orleans. Check out the 1959 black ‘n white video. Jeez, just keep finding them. Here’s Jimmy Dean’s Big Bad JohnLots...

This Saturday was 3DJoy’s last FReep before retiring back to her warm, sunny home. 3D joins the DC Chapter for the summer months and it was only fitting that a lot of DC Chapter members were in Olney for her last FReep. While Tammy Cat, Kburi and Lurker Ethel could not join us on the corners they were able to join us for lunch at the Olney Compound. After a week of rain, 6 3/4 inches of rain in Olney, the sun shined brightly on this Saturday. A warm, sunny day for a warm, friendly send off. 11 Patriots in...

For those who are wondering what the DC Chapter is doing now that Walter Reed’s Friday Night Support the Troops Rallies are done, we, or some of us, are still going strong in Olney, Maryland. We just completed our 293rd Saturday in Olney. While DC Chapter members are not always present due to FReeps in DC, including 9/12 and Tea Party rallies and Beck’s 8/28 rally, the local American Legion fills in. We started the Olney Rally after some FReepers coming to the DC Chapter’s 2005 Christmas Party saw the moonbats on the corner. We were soon out on the...

Shortly after 6 am Saturday morning, and less than 9 hours after our last Friday night at Walter Reed, the first members of the DC Chapter of Free Republic began to arrive at the gates where the ambulances would depart Walter Reed. Between Silver Spring, MD and Bethesda, Montgomery County, MD police cars were already at every intersection to ensure a non-stop passage for each ambulance to the newly named Walter Reed National Medical Center in Bethesda. By 6:30 am, the banners and signs were ready for the first of 18 ambulances. A food court, courtesy of the Trooprally’s...

We knew it was coming and planned for it. For six years and four months of consecutive Friday evenings, the DC Chapter of Free Republic, other groups and individuals successfully challenged Code Pink and their union pawns in front of Walter Reed. After several months, they were forced from the Walter Reed front gates to a location 50 yards down Georgia Ave. Since June 2005, many Americans have gathered on Friday nights to continue to keep the anti-military forces away and to show support to the wounded warriors and their families. Tonight, then, was different from all others. Walter...

A good evening to be at Walter Reed’s front gates. There were no ambulances tonight , nor were there dinner buses. But there were soldiers coming and going through the front gates all night. Cars passing gave us many honks with passengers waving. Not to be left out, three people on bicycles rode by ringing their bells! The weather looked threatening, dark clouds loomed and distant lightning was putting on an impressive show. Ponchos and raingear were donned. The DC Chapter was ready. Five minutes of rain and it was over. Nobody complained. Pizza, soda, and brownies (by Jessica)...

It’s 6:30 pm on Friday evening at Walter Reed. Flag Row is being set up and the banners are on three corners. The first FReepers are taking to the corners with signs and flags. As the first flag is posted , passing cars start honking and don’t stop until we have left for the evening. Tonight, as usual, we talked with wounded warriors, family members and staff who were walking into or out of Walter Reed. And the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) bus stopped for a rare third time allowing some of us to directly thank the wounded warriors...

Finally, a warm somewhat breezy Friday evening at the front gates of Walter Reed. A solid group of fourteen Freepers holding signs and flags in front of the banners received honks and waves from passing cars. You wouldn’t know that Walter Reed is closing three weeks from now. Three buses and several cars carried the wounded warriors and family to dinner and an evening of entertainment in near-by Maryland. Returning after 9pm, they were cheered into Walter Reed by our stalwart group. The Aleethia Foundation has done a wonderful job over the past seven years coordinating these Friday evening...

On a hot July Friday evening, temperature at 100 degrees, you might expect everyone has left for the beach. Not at the Walter Reed front gate! Tonight, over 41 Freepers, lurkers and visitors arrived to support the wounded warriors and their families on one of the few remaining Friday nights before the final transfer to Bethesda and Ft Belvoir. A number of Freepers returned to join us. They came from Florida, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Georgia. SeektheTruth brought a sign all the way from Florida thanking the DC Chapter of Free Republic for its 328 consecutive...

DON’T FORGET NEXT WEEK, JULY 29TH. WE ARE HAVING THE LAST BIG GET TOGETHER TO CHEER OUR WOUNDED WARRIORS THRU THE GATE. This will be the last chance to see everyone together. A special invite goes out to the past regulars who stood at the gate in our early years. "Eagles don’t flock, you gather them one at a time".This could not have been more true than last night. While we expected “several” additional patriots this Friday, we also knew of several other Friday night regulars who would not be there. An average attendance of a dozen was expected. BUT...

DON’T FORGET NEXT WEEK, JULY 29TH. WE ARE HAVING THE LAST BIG GET TOGETHER TO CHEER OUR WOUNDED WARRIORS THRU THE GATE. This will be the last chance to see everyone together. A special invite goes out to the past regulars who stood at the gate in our early years. List of 11 Patriots at Walter Reed this ‘warm’ night: Lurkers Bill, Jim, Terri and Brian, and FReepers 3DJoy, BufordP, Fraxinus, RongKirby, Tammy Cat, [Mrs] T and myself. Pics by [Mrs] T [Mrs} T gives this report: Friday night was awesome. We had two things that made it that way....

All day long the weather gurus had been predicting severe thunder storms for Friday afternoon and into the evening. At times, rainfall might be 2 inches per hour, they said. At three pm, it started and would you believe by 6pm, the sun came out and we had a great evening. A lot of traffic again tonight with cars honking and passengers waving. Soldiers and staff were coming and going all night long. Three small buses carried the wounded warriors and their families back to Walter Reed shortly after 9pm. Thirteen of us greeted those three buses with flags, signs...

The long July 4th weekend at Walter Reed and in Washington, DC usually means a low volume of traffic in and out of WRAMC and up and down Georgia Ave. Not tonight. Two big ambulances arrived early with wounded soldiers reminding us why we are at the front gates. Bill Salutes Arriving Ambulance Early In The Evening, As It Turns Into Walter Reed We were all busy talking with wounded warriors who came out to be with us, and we were dealing with a significant volume of drivers honking and waving. Tonight, a DC motorcycle officer spent almost the entire...

Twenty FReepers and visitors handled the four corners tonight. Finally, it was a perfect weather-wise evening. The energy on the four corners and from the passing cars made the 323rd consecutive Friday night to support the wounded warriors, a night to remember. VictoryNY and TammyCat really turn up the tempo. It’s hard to believe that there are only four more Friday evenings that dinner buses from Walter Reed will take the troops to Friday night dinners. July 22 is the last Friday night scheduled. After that, the Aleethia Foundation will coordinate these dinners from Bethesda Medical Center. The DC Chapter...

The DC Chapter of Free Republic held its 322st consecutive Friday night rally to support the wounded warriors and their families at Walter Reed. A little cloudy with light showers. No ponchos were needed. The evening started early with two big ambulances roaring down Georgia Ave into Walter Reed just as we were setting up. Eleven FReepers and visitors handled the four corners tonight. It was a busy evening with soldiers passing and talking with us. Two wounded warriors who stopped by early on were Grant and Marvin. Grant is in the Navy and Marvin is in the Army. Both...

The DC Chapter of Free Republic held its 321st consecutive Friday night to support the wounded warriors and their families at Walter Reed. The heat and humidity made for a sweltering night. However, 16 FReepers and visitors were more than up to waving, holding flags and signs, and vocally supporting our troops. A noisy and assertive crowd tonight. Possibly because our time at Walter Reed is getting short. The last Friday night Aleethia Foundation dinner bus from Walter Reed is tentatively scheduled to be July 22. So we have a lot to do in a short time. Visitor Ali was...

Tonight’s summary is based on comments by Mrs Trooprally. Tonight, VictoryNY and TammyCat led the cheers and waves with high enthusiasm. Lurker Bill got vocal and soon all four corners were impacting passing cars. All night long, cars were loudly honking and passengers waved or shouted their support back. We are beginning to notice more and more soldiers in uniform driving or walking off the post. Almost all return our waves or yell their support. TacoMomma and Danang68 came from Virginia and spent the evening with us. Our last night at Walter Reed is tentatively July 22. (This will be...

Guys and Gals, Tonight my son and I went down to Gettysburg in hopes that Sarah, would eventually make her way there. We decided to try Cemetary Hill as a logical place for her visit. After a two hour drive we got there but alas there were no signs of her. So we decided to play tourist ourselves. After a bit, I got a tip she was at a local hotel. So we loaded up the car and zoomed over. There the bus was....and there was Sarah and Piper! Just 15 minutes then they left heading to "Cemetary hill". My...

Although there is no bus tonight due to the Memorial Day weekend there were more uniformed soldiers leaving on foot than we usually see. Most of the evening passing cars gave us loud honks and waves. Our flags and signs were in good hands. Meanwhile TammyCat and VictoryNY loudly express Support for our Troops. We were joined by Diane, mother of a wounded warrior, Allen. She is proudly holding the 82nd Airborne DN flag. We hope to see her again and wish Allen the best in his recovery. We had a good group this evening and filled the four...

For the fourth straight year, the DC Chapter of Free Republic showed its appreciation of the military by recognizing the Recruiters at the Silver Spring( Maryland) Armed Forces Recruiting Station. This Recruiting Station is a mile up Georgia Ave from the front gates of Walter Reed. Mr and Mrs Trooprally, CindyTrueSupporter, RonGKirby and Kburi, presented Certificates of Appreciation to the U.S. Marines and the U.S. Army recruiters. In addition, each service received a Manny and Olga’s gift card for pizzas, plus a M & O special pizza, sodas and cookies for their lunch break. The Army, Marines and the...

After almost three months, the MOAB (Mother Of All Banners) returned to the front gates of Walter Reed! Rain and high winds had kept the MOAB down. But not today. Sunny and mid 70’s, perfect weather to be in front of Walter Reed showing support to our wounded warriors and their families. Military Appreciation Month continues through Memorial Day. Today was a busy day as M/M Trooprally,CindyTrueSupporter, RonGKirby and Kburi were at the Silver Spring Armed Forces Recruiting Station to thank military recruiters for their service Recruiters from the US Army and the US Marines received a Certificate of...

Jim Irvine stays with me. Hour two sees David Codrea come back to AAR as he will each week until Eric Holder resigns. David will expose more ATF shenanigans regarding the Project Gunrunner scandal. Resign Eric, it’s time. Charlie Parrot, the inventor of the Smartcarry Holster will join me to talk concealment using this amazing holster. I’ve used them for years and they work! Resident AAR Navy SEAL, Larry Yatch comes back to talk Bin Laden Bin Killed and how the SEALS operate. GREAT stuff!

NEW YORK (AP) -- Oil giant BP could announce as early as Monday that it plans to buy out the Russian partners in its joint venture TNK-BP Ltd., according to a story posted Sunday night by the Wall Street Journal. The deal would transfer a 50 percent stake from a company called AAR, which is controlled by a group of Russian billionaires, to Russian state oil company OAO Rosneft, the Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter. More importantly, it would clear the way for BP's plans to explore for oil in the Arctic Sea north of Russia, a...

A very good Friday evening with lots of activity on the corners and from the passing cars. Americans continuously show their support through waves and honks. 14 of us took over the corners and actually had Trooprally searching for a spot to smoke a cigar. Although it was overcast, we had mild weather for the 317th consecutive Friday night at Walter Reed. One small bus tonight. It was filled with waving soldiers and family members. As the bus turned into Walter Reed, it was met with waving flags and chants of USA, USA. It is always good to see their...

On Mother’s Day, the DC Chapter of Free Republic wants to take a moment to recognize and thank all the active duty Mothers, and all mothers with sons or daughters serving in the military. This country owes a lot to your service and caring. Reporting on the 316th consecutive Friday night at Walter Reed, Mr and Mrs Trooprally sent the following summary for May 6, 2011. We arrived a little early and promptly started to unload our gear. As we were unloading we heard the blast of an ambulance siren. We paused to see if it was the Wounded Warrior...

Mr Trooprally sent the following report for this week’s after action report: First of all, last night was a lot better than last week NO RAIN ! It was a really good night. The buses did not come till 9:25PM. This Friday night’s Wounded Warrior dinner was held in downtown DC in a restaurant featuring a 10 course meal.(They deserve it). The three children in the pictures were from the surrounding area. They asked if they could have flags. And you will see the ones we gave them in the photo. We also shared some our snacks with them. The...

Last night was soggy with temperature in the high 40’s. The rain meant that the MOAB, Mother Of All Banners, and Flag Row were safe and dry in their holders until next Friday. However, Flag Row was covered by smaller flags all night. Easter weekend means that there was no dinner bus. It also means that many people in the DC area are out of town on Easter break. Traffic was considerably lighter and only a few cars were entering and leaving Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Because of the rain,our umbrellas were up. Jessica started with a pink...

On the 313th consecutive Friday night, it was a quiet and pleasant evening at the front gates of Walter Reed. We had a good group with a lot of waves and honks from the passing cars. It was a break from the hectic pace of the past several weeks. In the 6th anniversary after action report, we should have mentioned that the George Washington University Young Republicans, who were there, were following a tradition of joining us. Over the past 5 years, the GWU Young Republicans Club has joined the Friday night support the troops rally, either 1 or...