Free Republic

One of our very own, FReeper PrezUSA222 is back from Iraq where he served with the U.S. Army. We knew his tour was up but weren't sure exactly when we'd see him again. It was therefore a pleasant surprise when he showed up to FReep with us for a few hours Friday night. PrezUSA222 is the one in the black shirt, with your author at right. PrezUSA222 brought his friend and fellow veteran who was proud to be with us for awhile also There presence made me think back on the past 7 years since the start of Operation Iraqi...

It was mush! mush! the whole way through. Through the snow we went, on and on. Our arms sore from constant shoveling, we didn't give up. Our driveways and streets had to be cleared. No one could get to work and many couldn't even get out of their development. As the days wore on we wondered if it would ever be cleared. Worried that our cable TV and internet would go out, we huddled...Flashback! Mr Trooprally's shirt certainly brought those memories back in a hurry. We got about 35 inches in Loudoun County, which is just northwest of Washington DC...

FRONT GATE NOTES The Fourth of July celebrates our founders who had the courage and bravery to declare us Citizens, not Subjects of King George. On this Independence Day, the DC Chapter of Free Republic salutes our military, all wounded warriors, and their families who continue to ensure our Liberty. A number of soldiers coming and going, all evening, past us on this July 4th weekend. Although many Washingtonians leave for the long weekend, traffic was brisk on Georgia Avenue, and many honks and waves were directed towards our Support the Troops Signs, Banners and Flags. In addition to...

FRONT GATE NOTES The past two weeks have gone fast, and with Father’s Day on June 20, Kburi got a little behind in the AAR world. So this week we are combining the past two weeks! The DC Chapter has now completed 271 consecutive Friday nights in front of Walter Reed. June 18 and June 25, 2010Mrs Trooprally wrote the June 18, 2010 AAR:“Friday,(the 18th), you couldn’t of asked for a more beautiful night in the 70's . There was a great breeze in the air that just made it perfect. The moon was so bright I had to...

FRONT GATE NOTES Tonight was a little different in that there were two instances of anti-troop sentiments directed at us. These were specific and verbal, one was directed at us and one was directed at the troops. In one case a woman pulled over and made disparaging comments about our motives, and the other was a slow drive-by with invective yelled against our troops. This left’s rhetoric has been toned down over the past year and a half, but the reason we are here is to support the troops and their families. That includes standing between the anti-whatever they...

FRONT GATE NOTES Tonight’s 268th consecutive Friday night report is from Trooprally. Being almost a perfect evening, just a bit humid, there were a lot of soldiers in 'n out of Walter Reed. One soldier, double leg amputee, came out on a sedgway for a trip to the local McDonalds. Since he unexpectedly zipped by us on his way out, we had ample heads up on his way back and we were able to talk a bit. Sidewalk construction (Stimulus Funds at Work) made RongKirby's southwest corner inhospitable for FReepers and banner. But since he had car troubles and...

The group backing Birther Army Doctor Terrence Lakin as he makes his way through the military justice system announced today that Lakin is waiving a preliminary hearing that was set for Friday. Lt. Col. Lakin refused orders on the grounds that Barack Obama is not eligible to be president. It is now up to Maj. Gen. Karl Horst, Military District of Washington Commander, to decide if the case will go to trial, said Chuck Dasey, spokesman at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, where Lakin is assigned. The American Patriot Foundation said in a press release: Saying that the...

The Yellow Ribbon Fund has teamed up with the Washington Mystics to provide you, your friends and family an opportunity to support The Warrior Legacy Foundation as well as veterans and enlisted families in the Washington D.C. area. Please join us at the Verizon Center for Military Appreciation Day Presented by Cisco as the Mystics take on the Phoenix Mercury at 4 PM. If you would like to support this wonderful cause but can’t attend the game your tickets will be donated to military families in Washington, D.C. Lower level tickets normally $24 are only $18. Plus, $3 on every...

FRONT GATE NOTES Banners, signs and flags played a prominent role in sparking honks, waves and comments all night. Although the forecast called for possible thunderstorms, we got only a few drops. One military wife driving into Walter Reed pulled over to talk and to thank us for being here. Her husband had lost a leg and we thanked her and her husband for their sacrifice. Other Notes – Worth NotingCarla and John from New Jersey visited all evening for the third time in a year. Some of us will see them along Constitution Ave during Rolling Thunder. Their...

FRONT GATE NOTES This week’s after action report is provided by Mr Trooprally. Warmer temps, a triple blessing. After a cold and snowing winter, warmer temps help to put last winter in the past. Secondly, drivers have their windows down and pleasant conversation can be had when they stop for the red traffic light. But most importantly, warmer weather brings out our wounded warriors and their families to the front gates of Walter Reed. The soldiers pass by with a smile and we get to shake their hands in Thanks For Their Service. And their thanks to us for...

FRONT GATE NOTES A warm day with a cold front passing through at the beginning of the DC Chapter’s 265th consecutive Friday night, brought the threat of extreme weather. Fortunately, it only partially materialized with hail and a cloud burst at the beginning. Many drivers contributed to the show of support with waves and honks. The DAV bus returned from dinner before we left for home. Other Notes – Worth NotingCindy True Supporter bought a wounded warrior mother, Liz from Pomona, CA, to stand with us for awhile. Her son has been at Walter Reed for awhile and is...

As our president continues to degrade American military capabilities, the troop supporters of Free Republic continue to show up every Friday evening at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in northwest Washington DC. We have done this since early 2005 and will continue our efforts for as long as people show up. Our objectives are twofold: 1) Show support for the troops by displaying the American flag and those of military units, as well as patriotic flags 2) Keep the hate-America crowd of Code Pinkos away from the main entrance of the hospital. As with last week, the weather this Friday...

b> Silver Spring, Md Armed Forces Recruiting Station Today was a great day and one we looked forward to. For the third year, the DC Chapter of Free Republic showed its appreciation of the military by recognizing the Recruiters at the Silver Spring, Md Armed Forces Recruiting Station. This station is just up Georgia Ave from the front gates of Walter Reed. AppreciationMr and Mrs Trooprally, and Kburi, presented Certificates of Appreciation to the US Marines, the US Army and the Navy recruiters. In addition, each service received a Manny and Olga’s gift card for pizzas, sodas and cookies for...

Liz Edinger will never forget that telephone call, the one dreaded by any worried parent of a uniformed son or daughter in harm's way in Afghanistan or Iraq. "Nick called and asked if I was sitting down," she said. "I sat down, and he said, 'Mom, my left foot is missing.' " "This is six hours after it happened," added Scott Edinger, her husband and Nick's father. "He said, 'I stepped on a land mine but don't worry, I'm going to be fine.' " Army Cpl. Nick Edinger, 22, lost his left foot to an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan...

There are times when FReeping is an absolute pleasure; early evening when the sun isn't so bright and burning, temps are in the upper 60s, no rain, and you've just had a good dinner. The commies are being kept a good distance off from the entrance to Walter Reed, and you're surrounded by your Freeper buddies. Best of all, the troop bus comes early, an unexpected pleasure, which means that you get to pack up and get home at a reasonable hour. Then there are the other times. Freezing cold, a bit of rain, and damn it you forgot to...

FRONT GATE NOTES Tonight was quiet and warm. Honks and waves throughout the evening. Trooprally did his usual good job alerting a few drivers to turn on their lights. The busses were late because the dinner was quite a distance away in Arlington, Virginia. Other Notes – Worth NotingOur evening highlight was a truck leaving Walter Reed, with a soldier leaning out the window whooping and hollering and thanking us for being there. (And this is one reason why we are at the Front Gates). ToleranceSucksRocks led the way into an early summer with Bermuda shorts. The rest of...

FRONT GATE NOTES Tonight was warm with high winds and occasional showers as a cold front began pushing through the area. The DC Chapter had an energetic crew and was joined by visitors who had made Walter Reed a destination after attending the DC Tea Party. VictoryNY kept the cheers going and passing cars responded with honks and waves. The big bus returning from dinner with wounded warriors and their families, had just turned into Walter Reed, when a large ambulance roared down Georgia Ave and turned into Walter Reed, right behind the returning bus. These ambulances carry wounded...

b> FRONT GATE NOTES On April 9, 2010, the DC Chapter of Free Republic recorded Five (5) years and 260 consecutive Friday nights at the Front Gate of Walter Reed supporting and honoring our wounded warriors and their families. Five years ago, the DC Chapter countered Code Pink’ s hateful and vile anti-war and anti-military protest at the front gates of Walter Reed. It was a confrontative period until the DC Chapter obtained a DC Permit to hold all four corners at the front gate. Since then we have manned all four corners with flag waving, sign holding supporters of...

The U.S. Army says a surgeon who has publicly refused to follow any further orders until he sees documentation that Barack Obama is eligible to be president is being "reassigned" at Walter Reed Army Hospital after he refused to deploy to Afghanistan as scheduled. While there have been reports Lt. Col. Terry Lakin is facing an imminent court-martial, Army spokesman Chuck Dasey told WND today that Lakin is only "under investigation" at this point. "Lakin reported to the commander, Medical Center Brigade, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, on Monday, 12 April, after failing to report for duty at Fort Campbell,...

An Army flight surgeon apparently is sticking to his vow not to deploy until he is satisfied that President Barack Obama is a "natural born" citizen. Lt. Col. Terrence Lakin did not report for duty at Fort Campbell, Ky. as ordered today, and a spokesman for the post said it's not likely he will. Lakin's failure to report essentially dares the Army to bring charges against him for being an unauthorized absence. Margaret Hemenway, a spokeswoman for a group called the Patriotic American Foundation, which is supporting the 18-year officer, said the Army should not expect Lakin to report unless...