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WASHINGTON, May 7, 2008 – The names of four U.S. servicemembers were etched into the glossy black walls of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial this week alongside more than 58,000 of their fallen comrades. Finishing the addition today was the name of Raymond C. Mason, a Marine lance corporal who died a year ago as a result of ailing health stemming from a bullet wound that paralyzed him in February 1968 during the Tet Offensive. In a ceremony at the wall here, Mason’s widow, Priscilla Mason, watched as an engraver inched a sandblaster over the Marine’s stenciled name with surgeonlike precision....

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11 — Throngs of veterans gathered on Sunday under a clear sky on the Mall to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a stark symbol of a war that bitterly divided the nation. In a poignant reminder of that tumultuous time, the veterans wept, prayed or reminisced at the stone memorial inscribed with the names of 58,256 Americans killed or missing in the Vietnam War.

Newbie FReepers PatrioticMarineMom (Yvonne Bates) and RockerMom2MyHero started a Gathering of Eagles/FReeRepublic Support Our Troops Rally less than a month ago in Westminster, MD and already they are celebrities. Their Rally is opposite Carroll County Progressives and Women in Black. This past Saturday they met a reporter from the Carroll County Times in D.C. for the 25th Anniversary of the dedication of the Wall and for the Veterans' Day Observance. The paper's article is HERE. The comments to the article are especialy interresting. The first Westminster FReep is HERE. Week 2 is HERE.

Thousands of veterans from around the country participated in today's march to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam Memorial. High school bands played patriotic songs as men and women, many wearing battle fatigues, jackets and pins representing their former units marched. Some walked with canes, others rolled in wheelchairs, some because of age, others due to old battle wounds. The scene around the memorial, where everyone converged after the march along Constitution Avenue adjacent to the Mall, was festive and spiritual. A man with a grizzled mustache cried uncontrollably. Others hugged old friends as if at a family reunion....

WASHINGTON - They are lined up like footnotes to the names etched on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial's polished black granite, leaning against its base, some a collective tribute to the fallen, others bearing a message for just one of the dead. An American Legion uniform cap from Kansas, a police patch from a town in Georgia, a note to "GRAMDADAD" that appears to have been written by the unpracticed hand of a young child. A homemade plaque with plastic red poppies pasted to it, dedicated to a "Band of Brothers." Poems from middle school students. Full box of tissue alert.

WASHINGTON — John Lazarczyk was waiting to hear a name. He knew he might have to stand in the chilly November darkness for a couple of hours, but that wasn't important. He was there to honor a man he had never even met. As volunteers lined up in front of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and took turns reading the names of some of the 58,256 Vietnam War dead Thursday night, Lazarczyk spoke about James Daniel Williamson, an Army Spec. 4 who was a gunner on a UH1D helicopter that was shot down over Laos on January 5, 1968. Rescue and...

He was given his father's name at birth. Harry Griffith Cramer III, his birth certificate reads, the son of Harry Griffith Cramer Jr. The name has stayed with him in a way his father couldn't. It has shaped and molded his life, guiding him through difficult times and giving him strength in moments of weakness. It is one of the few things he has left of his father, so he cherishes every letter of it.Yesterday, he shared that name with hundreds of people gathered on the Mall, reading it aloud, deliberately and poignantly. And his was just the beginning. Like...

To be shown this Sunday, November 11, Veterans Day, a documentary of many Veterans homecomings. It will also be available in streaming video on the Smithsonian Channel, free.

LIST of the WEEK'S EVENTS including Reading of the Names. Here is a quick break down of Saturday's events. There is going to be a Opening Ceremony from 10 AM till 11 AM on the Mall at 3rd ST. between Jefferson and Davis Drives. Closes Metro is the Blue/Orange Line stop at Federal Center, SW. But if you want to enjoy a nice morning stroll along the Mall, any of the other stops are good. There is a Parade from 11 AM til 4 PM. It appears to start where the opening Ceremony is and go to the Washington Monument...

AMVETS National Commander John P. "J.P." Brown III announced today that AMVETS is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of those responsible for the Sept. 7, 2007 vandalism of the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial. According to the National Park Service, an unidentified substance stained 14 of the memorial's 140 panels. For more information, visit the AMVETS website.

Cheers and tears greeted about 1,000 motorcyclists escorting a large star-spangled trailer-truck bringing a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to the Twin Cities Sunday afternoon. Scores of spectators lined Longley Bridge and the area around Veterans Memorial Park. They waved flags and shouted congratulations as the bikers rolled past in a procession estimated to be about three miles long. It took more than half an hour for them all to cross the bridge between Auburn and Lewiston. Riders of ages spanning two or three generations took part. Several said they were amazed at the show of support on their...

Bikers escorting a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial this weekend don't think they should have to pay a toll. But the Maine Turnpike Authority says it is legally bound to collect the money, which could total $5,000 to $10,000, depending on the number of riders who participate in the event. Between 1,500 and 2,000 motorcyclists are expected to accompany the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall on Sunday as it travels up the Maine Turnpike from York to Lewiston. The 240-foot-long wall will go on display Friday at Veterans Park and will remain up through Sunday. Steve Page, commander of American...

Dear Vietnam veterans, friends & associates, Saturday, November 10, 2007, marks the 25th Anniversary of The Wall, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the Mall in Washington, DC. To commemorate this event, perhaps the only event of its kind with widespread significance to an entire generation of veterans and their families, Vietnam Veterans of America (“VVA”) is hosting a parade befitting the generation of veterans who served. This parade will be the “welcome home” that many of the 9 million plus men and women who served on active duty during this era, never had. We expect a minimum of 50,000 plus...

Director of National Intelligence Says U.S. Didn't Connect Available Information

Park Police Call Wall Substance Vandalism For Immediate Release September 17, 2007 Contacts: Lisa Gough, VVMF (202) 393-0090, ext.109 Bill Line, National Park Service (202) 619-7177 U.S. PARK POLICE RULES THAT SUBSTANCE LEFT AT THE VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL IS VANDALISM National Park Service Continues Cleanup Efforts Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Park Police ruled today that the oily substance spread on sections of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and on the paving stones was an act of vandalism. Park Police spokesman Sgt. Robert Lachance stressed that the investigation is ongoing and would not offer further comment. The National Park Service continues...

The unidentified substance that was found splashed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial earlier this month was the result of vandalism, the U.S. Park Police said today. Sgt. Robert Lachance, a spokesman for the Park Police, said the investigation into the incident is continuing, but the detective on the case had ruled it an act of vandalism. Lachance said he could provide no more details because the probe is still underway. The oily substance was first reported to police the evening of Sept. 7, National Park Service officials have said. Dark blotches were found along a stone curb at the base...

Here’s our video report on the wall’s defacement. Due to YouTube’s (lack of) clarity, it’s hard to see. But about two-thirds of the memorial was defaced along the bottom with some unknown chemical agent that soaked into the granite surface enough to discolor it. Several panels were evidently splashed with the same substance. The Park Police originally stated that the discoloration was the result of a “cleaning accident,” but now they’re saying that it was vandalism, and they’re investigating: The unidentified substance that was found splashed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial earlier this month was the result of vandalism, the...

This was first reported at FreeRepublic on Sunday, September 9 at 6:55 PM Pacific Time (3:55 PM Eastern), with follow-up posts here, here, and here.The incident took place on or some time prior to Friday, September 7. The original Freeper report, with plentiful pictures, states that: ..... It looks like the person who did this walked along The Wall with some type of container, perhaps hidden at their side so that they could squirt the oily substance without being caught in the act...... It is unknown who did this to The Wall, and apparently the US Park Police did...

Last Friday evening an oily substance that has proved extremely difficult to remove was splattered along an approximately 60 foot section of the wall, defacing panels bearing the names of the deceased as well as ornamental stones along the base. Mainstream media coverage has been sparse. Veterans immediately attributed the defacement to anti-war groups that have threatened the memorial in past months, have defaced monuments and memorials nationwide, and are gathering in Washington this weekend to protest the War on Terror. The outrage in the veteran community is palpable. In apparent fear of vets’ reaction, some who sympathize with the...

Still images from video of the damage to The Vietnam Memorial Wall, filmed on Monday morning, September 10, 2007. This was two days after the National Park Service Spokesman told reporters that they discovered the damage and had begun an immediate cleanup. The lone security camera is located in a corner of the grass, closer to the Brothers statue than The Wall... The Brothers statue appeared OK... But there were numerous oily drips along the walkway around the statue. Sticker bushes around the Brothers statue proved a good security device, apparently... And an oily trail along the cobblestone between the...

tgslTakoma was up late putting Vietnam Memorial Wall (DC) Defaced Sept 7-8, 2007: PART 2 on youtube and asked that this be posted. Part 3 will show the vandalism to the Nurses Statue and the Brothers Statue. tgslTakoma also noticed on East Wall Panel 15E that it had multiple deep, long, vertical scratches/gouges. That will also be in Part 3

Last Friday a “light, oily substance” was sprayed on 50 to 60 feet of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall panels and paving stones in an act of apparent vandalism. All this week, Washington was consumed with the Iraq reports by Gen. David Petraeus and Amb. Ryan Crocker. This weekend, ANSWER and a number of other anti-war groups are planning big demonstrations in Washington. Some veterans groups are planning to parallel the demostrations with lines of volunteers blocking access to the Vietnam Wall and other memorials they believe may be targeted for defacment. The assumption that Friday’s discovery was an act...

(CNSNews.com) - As cleanup efforts continue in the removal of an oily substance from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., authorities are investigating how the substance got on the wall, but warned it is "premature" to label it vandalism. The wall was defaced sometime over the weekend when an oily substance was sprayed along the base of the granite monument. The black material appeared to stain the dark grey wall and tainted some of the more than 58,000 names engraved on it. National Park Service preservation and maintenance personnel have been working since Saturday to remove the substance, and...

The U.S. Park Police are investigating suspected vandalism at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the Mall. Volunteers and National Park Service rangers on Saturday discovered a "light, oily" substance on the memorial's wall panels and the paving stones in front of it, Bill Line, a Park Service spokesman, said yesterday. The substance, which has not been identified, was spread over an area of about 50 to 60 feet, mostly on the paving stones, Mr. Line said. Maintenance and preservation staff were working to remove the substance with no permanent damage to the memorial. Mr. Line could not predict when the...

I slowly went from one end of The Wall to the other, videotaping all the way. I wanted those who have loved ones named on The Wall to know whether "their" panels were damaged. I also wanted the full extent of the damage to be documented. This is Part 1, showing the damage to the east side of The Wall. It will take me several more hours to get the second video up. Stay tuned... Vietnam Memorial Wall (DC) Defaced Sept 7-8, 2007: Part 1

Mrs. Trooprally called me this evening to tell me that she and her husband, as well as Concretebob, saw damage along almost the entire length of the Vietnam Memorial Wall. They found this damage this morning, when they walked through the area before participating in the September 11th Freedom Walk. Concretebob was told by a National Park Service employee that the damage was done on Friday night. There was no police report taken or written about the vandalism, apparently. And the damage was still very much there today. Here are a few of the photos that Mrs. Trooprally took this...

Echoes of the past are heard as vets gather in D.C. to back the troops, oppose war protesters. Chris Hill visits the Wall every Veterans Day. He follows the path to Panel 4W, Line 36, and stops at the name Curtis R. Smoot. It's the same name on the POW-MIA bracelet Hill has worn for 22 years. Hill picked up the bracelet at an ROTC recruitment table in high school. He didn't know Smoot, but the bracelet was a poignant reminder of service and sacrifice during Hill's years with the Seventh Infantry Division in the late 1980s. At Panel 4W,...

As war protesters marched toward Arlington Memorial Bridge en route to the Pentagon yesterday, they were flanked by long lines of military veterans and others who stood in solidarity with U.S. troops and the Bush administration's cause in Iraq. Many booed loudly as the protesters passed, turned their backs to them or yelled, "If you don't like America, get out!" Several thousand vets, some of whom came by bus from New Jersey, car caravans from California or flights from Seattle or Michigan, lined the route from the bridge and down 23rd Street, waving signs such as "War There Or War...

To protect and serve. It was their mission then, and it's their mission now. A group calling itself the Gathering of Eagles will hold a counter-protest to the "March on the Pentagon" -- an anti-war demonstration scheduled for Saturday in Washington, D.C. The Eagles, composed largely of military veterans, will gather at the Vietnam War Memorial, saying they want to ensure it is not defaced by the anti-war group. On Jan. 28, a group of 60 anti-war protesters spray-painted anti-war slogans on the steps of the Capitol building, according to organizers of the gathering -- citing an article from The...

Tennessee Nana (left), Syncro (top), Me (right), and the GREAT JIM ROBINSON!!!! The Gathering of Eagles Caravan hit HOTLANTA (Atlanta, GA) this morning! LOTS OF PICS! Click HERE to see the full photo album! (if you click on any one of the photos, it will give you a "closer" look!

Vietnam veterans from across the country will be protesting in Washington, D.C., Saturday. The veterans' protest is also a response to an anti-war rally by the ANSWER (Act Now To Stop War and End Racism) Coalition. Coalition members will stage an event outside the Pentagon, protesting the United State's involvement in Iraq, according to the organization's Web site. Veterans plan to form a circle around the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall) to protect it from protesters, Joe Kennick, president of Somerset County Vietnam Veterans Chapter 587, said. The veterans' protest is to prevent the defacing of the memorial. During a...

Announcing: NewsGuests.com and the "Move America Forward – These Colors Don't Run!" Bus Tour -- Coming to your city in the next 5 days. Contact: Noel Zimmerman, 562-243-7882, 800-486-0176, Noel@NewsGuests.com; Terry@NewsGuests.com; both with www.NewsGuests.com WASHINGTON, Mar. 12 /Christian Newswire/ -- On the eve of the 4th Anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom, a national patriotic caravan of military families will come to cities across America on its way from California to Washington, D.C. The "THESE COLORS DON'T RUN" caravan of vehicles including motorhomes, cars, trucks and motorcycles is being organized by the nation's largest grassroots pro-troop organization, Move America Forward. The...

'I'm Proud of My Son; I Need Him to be Proud of Me,' Soldier's Father SaysBy Payton HoeghCNSNews.com CorrespondentMarch 12, 2007 (CNSNews.com) - When Lance Cpl. Kyle Croly was killed in Iraq in 2004, his father felt that the 18-year-old had passed the torch of supporting the country on to him. Mark Croly, struggling with the loss, has been reflecting anew on his son's sacrifice since he and other supporters of American troops set off on a cross-country caravan headed for the nation's capital late last week. "It really feels good to be a part of this," the retired steel...

MORE PICTURES FROM THE "THESE COLORS DONT RUN CARAVAN" !!! DAY 3, DAY 4, DAY 5 !!! SATURDAY, MARCH 10TH Tucson, Arizona SUNDAY, MARCH 11TH     Del Paso, Texas NOTE: Have yet to receive pictures from an amazing stop at Spec-Ops in Monahans. Will post soon. If you have any please post. Monahans, Texas SATURDAY, MARCH 12TH       Midland/Odessa, Texas           Dallas, Texas CLICK HERE FOR PICS FROM DAY1, DAY2, DAY 3 

A local veterans organization will roll to Washington, D.C., this week to stand against anti-war protesters and protect national memorials. Ken White, president of Rolling Thunder Chapter 5, said he and about 10 of his fellow members will leave Saturday by van, not motorcycle. But that doesn't make Saturday's trek any less important. Rolling Thunder has sent a national call to members to stand guard against anti-war protesters led by Cindy Sheehan and Jane Fonda. "I think they're getting responses across the country," White said. "We're going to be barriers and human shields."The reason word went out to the 80...

BAKERSFIELD - As Democratic leaders push for withdrawal, members of another group are pressing for greater support of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. They began their national tour Thursday in San Francisco and held a rally in Bakersfield Friday, on the eve of Operation Iraqi Freedom’s fourth anniversary. MoveAmericaForward.org is on its second day of a national “These Colors Don’t Run” trek across 25 cities. The caravan arrived at Heritage Park in Bakersfield displaying “These colors don’t run” support for troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Deborah Johns’ son is serving in Iraq and has joined the pro-troop caravan to...

National Association of Uniformed Services (NAUS) Supports Gathering of Eagles NAUS NEWS Gathering of Eagles On March 17th, from 0700-1600 hours, a coalition of veterans and American patriots will gather at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., "to stand silent guard over our nation's memorials, in honor of our fallen, and in solidarity with our armed forces in harm's way today." The impetus of the gathering is in response to a planned anti-war protest on the same day. The last time the group ANSWER rallied for a "peace" march, they desecrated government buildings and memorials, including the painting of...

The small group is heading to Washington D.C. to plant a "Flag City" to honor the troops. A small caravan of military families in cars, trucks and motor homes gathered in Griffith Park at noon today to support the troops and to criticize politicians calling for withdrawal from Iraq.

A patriotic caravan of military families arrived in Bakersfield on Thursday night, one of dozens of stops on their way to our nation's capitol. The group Move America Forward waved American flags as they arrived at the Doubletree Hotel around 9 p.m. Their journey began Thursday morning in San Francisco and will end on March 17 in Washington, D.C. Along the way, they plan to collect thousands of U.S. flags to show America's support for our troops who are fighting abroad. "These young men and women answered the call of duty after 9-11 to serve our country and we need...

More than 200 demonstrators supporting the Bush administration's conduct of the Iraq war gather to protest a Lafayette hillside display of more than 3,000 crosses representing U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq.

....and head to Washington, D.C. for the Gathering of Eagles next weekend.Freeper #1 Jim Robinson has joined the Move America Forward caravan and is making the cross-country trek to join the Eagles as they protect the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and rally for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.March 17, 2007 has the potential to go down in history as the day Vietnam veterans, veterans of other eras and their fellow patriotic Americans stood up to the anti-American left in overwhelming numbers.Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan know about the Gathering of Eagles and are cheering us on. Will you let them...

We, the undersigned, pledge to attend the March 17th Gathering of Eagles in Washington, D.C. We intend to stand guard at our nation's sacred memorials to honor the memory of our troops who died in service of our great country. We promise to recognize and reflect on the sacrifice of our fallen heroes.

A group of Military families began a cross-country journey in San Francisco Thursday to show their support of the Troops in Iraq. The group called "Move America Forward" is sponsoring the caravan. It kicked off Thursday morning and held the first of dozens of rallies in Lafayette. Organizers said they wanted to protest an unofficial memorial for service people killed in the war that sits on a Lafayette hillside. Two peace groups have planted thousands of crosses across the street from the Bay Area Rapid Transit Station. One man who is took part in the event said his son was...

The communist, pro-terrorist group International ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) seems to realize they are facing a hot LZ on March 17. ANSWER has made significant changes in their plans since their initial announcement that they would hold their ‘antiwar’ rally at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Last week they changed the location of their rally from Constitution Gardens (East side of the Vietnam Memorial) to a park one block west of Memorial on Henry Bacon Drive. Yesterday, ANSWER announced they are only going to use the Henry Bacon Drive park as a meeting point for their...

Andrews Park was awash in red, white and blue today as dozens gathered to show their solidarity with American troops. Vacaville was one stop for a multi-vehicle caravan traveling through Northern California on its way across the country to Washington D.C., picking up new supporters on the way. After Vacaville, the caravan planned to visit Sacramento and Stockton before heading to Fresno and Bakersfield. The caravan is sponsored by Move America Forward, a non-profit group committed to backing the Armed Forces and defeating terrorism. "We're not into politics," said Joseph Williams, a Vacaville resident affiliated with the group whose son...

The latest Gathering Of Eagles Video. GREAT! Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coRz44cVE4E And then pass it along to all your friends!

Col. Harry Riley Gathering Of Eagles Discussion on WTAM 1100 AM radio (The Bob Franz Show) yesterday 03/0707. Click 'listen' to hour two (2) for Col. Riley's compelling interview. http://www.wtam.com/cc-common/podcast/single_podcast.html?podcast=BobFrantz.xml

Not This Time They gathered in the 60s And Ol' Glory burned and tore With all their hollow slogans such as "Let's make love, not war." They took for granted freedoms Struggled for in every clime. But as their sequel gathers steam We're saying "Not this time." ~~~~ Peaceniks still don't grasp the irony As they demand free speech. Atop soapboxes, with bullhorns They curse and mock and preach. And in our country that's their right 'Twas earned in blood and grime. Secured by men they tried to shame But not now, not this time. ~~~~ Perhaps someone can tell...

A cross country caravan with a pro-troop message leaves the Bay Area Thursday for Washington DC. Their message is for politicians who they say should stand down on their anti-war rhetoric. The group plans a stop at a controversial East Bay anti-war memorial the differences Americans have on this war will be more than apparent. Deborah Johns, Blue Star Moms: "My son, William, is serving his third tour of duty in Iraq." While her son is serving his country, Deborah Johns will be leading a pro-war caravan from California to Washington D.C. to send a message to politicians. Deborah Johns:...

We got word today that PAC SAT's Capitol News Service (which provides footage that is uplinked for the national television and cable networks to use in their broadcasts) are going to cover the Thursday, March 8, 2007 Pro-Troop rally at the State Capitol Park (Veterans Memorial) at 12:45 PM. Pro-troop supporters should try to get there by 12:30 PM. The folks at PAC SAT said their clients had been looking for more pro-troop stories/news to use in their reports given the recent rash of anti-war rallies and stories about declining support for the war. It's therefore VERY IMPORTANT we...