Skip to comments.

Posted on 05/29/2008 3:35:50 AM PDT by kburi

FRIDAY EVENING, WALTER REED FRONT GATE:

Friday, May 23rd. The beginning of Memorial Day weekend. For the first time in several weeks, we have a pleasant late spring evening with no rain in sight

MEMORIAL DAY COLORS AT WALTER REED

Memorial Day – a day of remembering and honoring the sacrifice of Americans killed in war. A day on which all Americans should reflect on the price paid by the war dead for our freedoms. A day and weekend, during which we have the opportunity to pass these sacrifices and their reasons to our children who must continue this vital remembrance.

Memorial Day also brings many veterans, families, members of Rolling Thunder, Gathering of Eagles, Move America Forward, Families United, America’s Wounded Heroes and other patriotic groups to Washington, DC. And a number often stop by Free Republic’s Friday night FREEP at Walter Reed.

Tonight was lively and loud with a lot of interaction on all of our four corners at the front gate. As always, VictoryNewYork led our vocal support and she turned up the volume when a visiting GOE’r lent her a bull horn. The traffic was heavy and the honks, waves and supportive comments from both drivers and passengers were constant for almost three hours. The drivers’ loud support kept the lethargic measly nine moonbats, aka “the dis-loyal opposition”, half way down the block from going to sleep. They did, of course, leave exactly at nine as they always do.

Because this was Memorial Day weekend, there was no returning bus to welcome, but our presence will always be there, bus or not.

FRIDAY EVENING VISITORS:

Some of our visitors were visiting first timers and several were repeaters who drop by when they are in DC. All are welcome and we enjoy meeting everyone. As you will see in the photos, we were energized by a number of youngsters brought by their parents. They joined VictoryNewYork and added an extra level of enthusiasm. Pictures are by (Mrs) Trooprally.

VICTORYNEWYORK, CHIEF, CINDY_TRUE_SUPPORTER AT THE FRONT GATE!

Our visitors included:

Joshua, who did two tours in Kosovo and was wounded in Iraq, was joined by his wife Melissa, and their daughter Savannah. Melissa’s dad, Jerry, a Viet Nam veteran was with them. Joshua and Jerry were both “coined “ by a chaplain at the Pentagon Friday. We saw the handsomely inscribed coins which are passed to veterans during a handshake.

JOSHUA, JERRY and TJ

Kit, former U S Air Force, and a GOE from Tulsa, was with friend Chris from NJ. With them was Suezi, Kit’s mom from Denver and an active GOE member.

KIT, CHRIS, AND TJ

KIT, CHRIS, SUEZI and TJ

From near-by Bethesda, Lee and brother-in-law, Innis, were first time visitors. Innis’ two daughters, Sophie and Vivian joined them. They had attended two recent GOE events in DC and visited Free Republic’s tent in March.

INNIS WITH FRAXINUS

LEE WITH NIECE

Joining us were Deborah from Jacksonville, NC, and Brandy, from Hawaii. Both had husbands killed in combat in Iraq. With them were five attractive and very lively young children. They were at Walter Reed to attend TAPS (the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors). This important program is for children and is held on the Memorial Day weekend.

DEBORAH AND TROOPRALLY

BRANDY AND RONGKIRBY

DEBORAH AND CHILDREN

HONOR ROLL:

BufordP, Chief, Cindy_True_Supporter, Fraxinus, Kburi, Lurker Bill, Paltz, Rongkirby, SatinPatriot, Sensi Ern, TJ, Tom the Redhunter, (Mr. and Mrs.) Trooprally, VaFlagwaver, VictoryNewYork,

BUFORDP

DEBORAH {Florida), KBURI AND VAFLAGWAVER

TROOPRALLY AND RONGKIRBY

LURKER BILL

A YOUNG SUPPORTER

Deborah and Mike from Florida, and are with both Gathering of Eagles and Rolling Thunder. They are here for the Rolling Thunder events Friday through Sunday.

MIKE (Florida) AND TROOPRALLY - Early Arrivers

Great Job !!!! [Mrs T]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.