« New Plan for Iraq V | Main | The President's Speech on a New Plan for Iraq »
January 9, 2007
Walter Reed FReep #90 January 5 AAR - Down To A Science
Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these Freepers from the completion of their appointed duties.
The Honor Roll for FReep #90, outside of Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC: 3D-Joy, Albion Wilde, Bill from MD, Cindy-true-supporter, Daughter of tgslTakoma, Doctor Raoul, Fraxinus, Gavin, Jimmy Valentine's Brother, Just A Nobody, Kieth & Sarah from VA, Kristinn, PleaDeal, TFroatz, Son of tgslTakoma, tgslTakoma, Tom the Redhunter, and Trooprally [Mr. & Mrs]
Over a year and a half and we've seen just about everything, weather-wise; snow, drenching rain, blistering heat and freezing cold. During the summer months it stays light until 8pm and during the winter it's dark by the time we get there.
Sometimes we can deploy the MOAB and sometimes the weather is so bad that we can't put it up. When it's windy or rainy we bring out the "mini-MOAB". The flags go up regardless of weather, as nothing's going to stop Old Glory. Some of our more inventive FReepers have invented signs that will withstand the rain. All of the "regulars" by this point have learned to keep a sharp eye on the weather reports, and have clothing ready for any contingency.
This past Friday it was somewhat rainly and fairly windy, so we deployed the Mini-MOAB and flags.
We have special bags and/or containers for all of the flags, signs, and MOABs. The flags all get wrapped up in a certain way so as to fit their bags. The pvc pipes that make up the frame for the MOAB are all color-coded for easy assembly. We've even got a special hammer and tool for disassembly, so as not to break any of the fragile pvc joints.
tgslTakoma usually takes all of the components with her, usually with help from Trooprally [Mr. & Mrs] or PleaDeal. Trooprally [Mr. & Mrs] also FReeps the Quakers every Saturday, so the use some of the materials for that operation. Albion Wilde and Bill from MD each have banners that they bring and set up each week.
And, yes, we've got setup and takedown procedures as well. Everyone knows what to do whent they arrive, and what to do once the bus has come by and the rally is over.
In other words, folks, we've got this down to a science.
It would be incorrect, however, for you to get the impression that only the same group of people showed up every Friday.
Sure, we do have a group of "regulars" But even that group changes slightly as time has gone on.
And more to the point, every week people come by to join the FReep, and due to personal circumstances are only able to be with us for one or two Fridays. Sometimes they are FReepers from out-of-town who are in Washington DC or vicinity on a business trip. They stay an extra day just to take part in our Walter Reed rallies. Others come into town specially for the occasion, usually driving but sometimes flying in.
We've been visited by several Republican organizations, from the Young Republicans when a bunch of them were in town for a training conference, to Republican clubs from local colleges and universities such as the GW Republicans.
Washington DC, of course, is full of conservative think-tanks and lobbying organizations, and often interns will hear about us and drop by for a FReep or two.
Occasionally the press show up. This mainly happened when the Pinkos were at the gate, and there was thus more "excitement" by their standards. Now that it's "just" a pro-troops rally, I guess they don't figure we're worth covering. No matter.
And of course we always get Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen and their families, both active duty and retired. Many come out from Walter Reed specifically to talk with us. Others come out to catch a cab or the Metro.
Friday Pics
Dr. Raoul had on a fur hat with the hammer and sickle badge on it. I never did get a change to ask him where he got it, but I think he's got a new nickname now; Dr "Comrade" Raoul.
Here's the good doctor with some other intrepid FReepers. Besides Dr Raoul, we've got Kristinn, 3D-Joy, and TFroatz
Cindy-True-Supporter and Mrs. Trooprally confer on one of our corners.
Jimmy Valentine's Brother, Daughter of tgslTakoma, and Tom the Redhunter hold down the fort at the corner to the main entrance to the hospital.
A Debater Stops By
We didn't get any photos of him, but some pedestrian decided to debate PleaDeal and some others over the war. For once, she said, it was a civil conversation. PleaDeal explains
A nice lefty named Kevin (who looked remarkably like Eddie Murphy) had a spirited and civilized discussion with us about the war. We like guys like Kevin because, dispite his lack of knowledge beyond the MSM, he's not a moonbat and can actually think for himself. We invited him back to talk some more any time he liked.
Oh Yes, the Pinkos
The Code Pink people showed up as ususal too, about 50 yards away from us, or halfway down the street. Because they foolishly selected a spot not at an interestion, but just in the middle of the street, cars tend to drive by them before they are noticed. Here is a representative photo. Are they a sorry looking bunch or what?
Otherwise I'm not going to waste much ink on them as they're just not worth it. If you're not familiar, and want to know who they are, David Horowitz' DiscoverTheNetwork has a great write-up on Code Pink. In addition, if you scroll half-way down this post of mine to "The Case Against Code Pink" you can read about more of their nefarious activities. Last summer they took their anti-American circus to Jordan to try and undermine our war effort in Iraq, my report on that little stunt of theirs is here.
The Troops Arrive!
As regular readers of these AARs know, every Friday wounded troopers from Walter Reed are taken out to dinner at a nice DC restaurant, and some local charities pick up the bill. The bus(s) come back to Walter Reed sometime between 9 and 10:30 PM. Our objective is to be there to greet them. Here is one of the buses from last Friday
Every one of them is a hero.
Lastly
Don't be shy! We'd love to have you FReep with us one evening! If you'd like more details please send me FReepmail and I'd be happy to provide more information.
* A special Thank You to Plea Deal for taking the photos for this AAR. Plea Deal blogs at Semper Gratus
* Thank you to BufordP for maintaining the BIG LIST of all Walter Reed FReeps
* Tom the Redhunter blogs at The Redhunter
Posted by Tom at January 9, 2007 7:27 PM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.theredhunter.com/mt/refer.cgi/811
