Eagles & Freepers rally for the troops

While the IVAW, Veterans for Peace and all of the assorted anti-war groups were in Silver Spring, Maryland, Gathering of Eagles, Eagles UP, Move America Forward and other pro-troop organizations assembled on the National Mall in the shadow of the Washington Monument to support the troops – and to celebrate the first anniversary of their founding event against the March on the Pentagon – also the most successful day of this blog to date.

I’d been told that the rally would start at 17th and Constitution at 10 o’clock, so you can imagine my disappointment when I arrived at about 11 and found the corner empty. But I turned my head about 45 degrees east and saw a multitude of American flags snapping in the breeze near the Washington Monument and I knew I’d found them;

Their numbers were still a bit anemic, but a chilly wind was still blowing out of the north and it was a few hours until the march, I was pretty sure numbers would grow. Meanwhile I wandered around and found I’m sort of popular these days since my live blogging yesterday and my visit to the Freepers and Eagles yesterday.

I also bumped into readers/commenters Dinky Dau, 509th Bob and Streetsweeper as well as fellow bloggers Skye and Rurick. It was a regular This Ain’t Hell reunion. It was a great experience after being cooped up with the other side yesterday. Much better people;

As the morning wore on, the numbers swelled;

Dinky Dau expressed regret that there were fewer people than he expected, but I told him to remember that before a year ago, it would have been impossible to assemble even a tenth of the number that were there. Ask Free Republic – I remember when they’d have rallies of ten or fifteen people.

By the time the march started, I guess there were probably 500 people there – and they picked up another 25 people who joined the march as they passed – but I’ll get to that in a moment.

We opened the event with the Star Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Allegiance, then we were addressed by Melanie Morgan of Move America Forward;

Her main concern is protection of our military recruiters. We’ve seen protests become more violent against recruiters in recent days. That’s why I plan on following the ANSWER crowds around on Wednesday when they plan to disrupt recruiting activities in DC

Some of you may remember Debbie Lee from her address to the Berkeley City Council. She was there to represent Gold Star families;

A Marine recently returned from Iraq thanked the group;

As well as a recently returned Airman;

It’s my understanding that they were in DC on leave and just happened to pass by and joined in the rally. I thought that was pretty cool.

Then Laura Youngblood, a Gold Star wife, lent her support

After a prayer, it was time to begin the march.

In case anyone doubts my estimate of the crowd, here’s a video of the entire parade passing by;

Bystanders joined in the march as we passed the crowds at the museums along Constitution Avenue – like I said probably about twenty of them including this girl who had been walking her puppy – which turned into a puppy-carry because of the excitement;

Lucky for Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, we turned before we got to the Capitol.

As I said it was quite a bit different than being among the opposition yesterday. Instead of a bunch of people trying to act like they had PTSD, it was a group made up largely of veterans (oh, and the were a goodly number of people who weren’t veterans at the WSII thing, too, in case someone wants to debate the “Never Served” argument again) who were exhilarated by their successes over the last year and looking at a bright future for our nation.

Like I said yesterday about the protest against WSII, I was amazed at the number of people who honked their horns in support of the Eagles, et al., and the folks who applauded as the march passed them. Maybe we really are making a difference.

As I mentioned, Skye from Midnight Blue was at the rally, too, and she has pictures up now Marooned in Marin was there, too. It looks like we missed each other by a gnat’s wing.

Thanks to Jammie Wearing Fool, Illusion or Reality and Gateway Pundit for the links. Welcome to new Blogrollee True North.

UPDATE: Here’s a video I spiced together from some reactions of the crowd who lined the street as the march passed;

Editor’s Note: If I made a mistake with names or organizations please let me know – I’m terrible with names.

Category: Bloggers, Gathering of Eagles, Protests/Rallies, Support the troops