8 Years Ago Today…
A thing happened on this day 8 years ago. Any number of reference sources are available on-line if yer Google-Fu is good.
Some ‘Nam vets decided to stand up and be counted. ANSWER was gonna do some protesting at The Wall in DC. A coupla geezers decided to organize a counter effort. Captain Bailey and Colonel Riley managed to get the word out and The Gathering of Eagles was born.
I hope I can be forgiven for personalizing this post rather than dealing with the event in more generic terms. The latter has been done by many, and arguably better than I might offer.
The event marked my first trip to The Wall and my second trip to DC.
I, somehow, wound up being in charge of on-site communications. There were folks doing “security” that needed to be able to talk to each other and Captain Bailey made me his commo Petty Officer so I bought encrypted walkies-talkies and some (then) cheap cell phones as back-up. The day before the event we scouted the site and I picked the highest point for my headquarters. While technically the right thing to do, it had one significant downside. It snowed and the temps dropped. We were ready technically, but not so ready for the weather. We were “under’ a canopy on poles that both threatened to blow away AND periodically dumped snow on us.
Still… it was the first time I’d felt proud to be a ‘Nam Vet. I could see The Wall from my spot, and the thousands who had joined us. Needless to say… ANSWER didn’t get close to The Wall.
Someone took a pix of me that day:
Category: Geezer Alert!
I was there!
Mr. Mallernee – I caught this episode a few nights ago about the 3/187 101’st in the Au Shau Valley and thought of you. Hope you are well. http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/war-stories/2009/05/15/war-stories-investigates-real-story-hamburger-hill
Thanks for thinking of me.
I’m doing very well, except for being sick, weak, and exhausted.
I’ve just moved into a new apartment with a much lower rent, and special accommodations for seniors, and today, my Internet was finally connected.
In May of 1969, when the battle of Hamburger Hill took place, I was at Spangdahlem Air Force Base in Germany.
I didn’t arrive in the old Republic of Viet Nam until 12 December 1969, and wasn’t assigned to the 501st Signal Battalion of the 101st Airborne until the end of June in 1970.
The closest I got to the A Shau was watching a distant “Arc Light” B-52 bombing mission from the perimeter of Camp Eagle, and later, during Operation Lam Son 719, I went to Firebase T-Bone to help set up the Forward Command Post for the 101st Airborne.
On that great Saint Patrick’s Day, I and “Gunny” John E. Smith, United States Marine Corps (Retired), a fellow resident at the Ol’ Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C., went down to the Wall to do our duty.
It was cold, windy, and rainy, but the WHOLE WIDE WORLD was gathered there!
It was NEAT!
There were lots of police from the District of Columbia and the National Park Service, and Viet Nam veterans and military retirees, many of whom were also retired law enforcement, socialized with them, discussing motorcycles and retirement plans.
At one point, a small group of terrified protestors ran screaming from among the Viet Nam veterans, but got no sympathy from the police, who warned them to stay away from us.
There was a formal ceremony and program, but I don’t think I heard much of it.
I do remember Michelle Malkin was there.
I wore my jump boots, with my jeans bloused, so I was okay in the mud and muck.
But, poor old Gunny had worn only low quarters, and his feet got soaked.
By the way, Gunny is the guy who advised me on getting my tartan kilt and plaid, and explained how to wear it, store it, et cetera.
Later, Gunny and I went looking for a suitable place to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day.
We ended up in a micro-brewery next to the Post Office and Union Station, where I drank Beck’s non-alcoholic beer, while Gunny drank conventional pints of Stout.
I love Saint Patrick’s Day, ‘cvause that’s when I sing Irish songs!
https://youtu.be/KyD3vgQ-HaY?list=PLuhBygcdO23BpJicwikfwtcgSyAXiXpuP
One correction to this story must be made:
The GATHERING OF EAGLES was not because of a mere protest demonstration.
No, the reason military veterans from all over the Country converged on Washington, D.C., was because the Internet was being used to organize VANDALISM of the Viet Nam Memorial.
That’s why we all went there, prepared for physical hand to hand combat.
Unfortunately, at a later date, someone did vandalize the Viet Nam Memorial.
I’ve got photographs of the damage.
Here’s the URL, if it works:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/writesong/sets/72157601956126456/
I was there in uniform.
A stank-ass hippie made an ugly comment and my CMC, who is a 6’3″, 225# fleet sailor rolled of solid steel and sex appeal, froze him where he stood with a hard look and then melted him into a puddle of piss.
We were on flag patrol, in the event some soon-to-be miscreant/statistic decided to desecrate the American Flag. We had no comers.
I’m barely a Vietnam Era Vet and my CMC wasn’t even close, but we mustered on the grinder, took a defensive position and hove to.
Open, this Vietnam Era vet say good on ya for being there !!!!
OC
Ah, ’twas a grand day, it was. So many great memories of that day, and many terrific friendships resulted from it. Was very honored to be a small part of it all.
OWB ran security that day.
Glad you posted that pic of you in the community poncho. But what’s that strange aura that looks a bit like sunshine? I don’t remember any sun – just snow and cold and ice and slush. It was definitely not a day for jungle boots!
Eight years ago? Doesn’t seem possible! Drove up the 13 hours the day before from Pensacola. I’d been off active duty for about a year and felt like I had to be there. It was an amazing experience. Seeing just how many of us showed up, and how you could tell that the commie scum wasn’t used to being outnumbered, was pretty awesome.
I was part of a bus load of veterans from Maine. We chartered the bus, and drove all night to get down there in the early AM.
Sent that whole cold, blustery, wet day among some of the finest men I’ve ever known. Women too. I will never forget the looks of fear from all those stank-ass hippie folks in their parade of shame. They had never before been surrounded by so many patriotic men and women, so many veterans, who just glared at them. It was priceless.
The police refused to let them cross the bridge into Arlington. A small group of maybe 24 “anarchists” tried to egg the police into an engagement, but the cops wouldn’t budge. A female with them, wearing a red beret (typical symbol of an ANSWER leader) called over to one of the camera crews and hollered “aren’t you gonna help us? Aren’t you on OUR side?” The cameraman put down his camera and hollered “Lady, you’re on your own there.” That was followed by shouts of support from thousands of veterans.
A minute, maybe two, later… DC cops on horseback and on foot rolled up to surround the anarchists and those cowardly little thugs ran like cockroaches for cover. A couple got away, but none of the veterans lining the street would let them pass through, so the cops got most of ’em.
Later, while talking with some cops and a couple other veterans, I had my first run in with Medusa Benjamin. She and her Code Pink idiots were there too. She walked up to the cops, pointed at me, and demanded they arrest me for vandalism, as I had just slashed the tires on her SUV. The cops asked when this happened, and she replied “just a few minutes ago.” The senior cop told her to bugger off, as we’d all been there for at least an hour, and he’d be happy to arrest her for filing a false complaint. So she beat feet too.
It was a wonderful time, and wonderful memories. Thanks Zero, for reminding me of them again.
TAH became famous that day.
Although Ol’ Poe didn’t get to go, he wrote the anthem for the Gathering. I still have one of the the T-Shirts with the song on it made up by Ty Raddue and his wife:
You Ain’t Gonna Touch This Wall
Look, boy, you’re free to demonstrate,
March up and down this Mall;
But, son, I’m gonna set you straight,
You ain’t gonna touch this Wall.
You shout and scream all you want,
On all that we’ll give a pass;
But you try some Wall-defacing stunt,
And, son, I’m gonna kick your ass.
(Chorus)
Let us make it clear, we’ve all come here
To defend our long-dead brothers;
And understand you ain’t layin’ a hand
On our Wall you lefty mothers.
Drag out that traitor, Hanoi Jane,
To screech at you pinks and commies,
And Cindy Sheehan to exploit her pain,
The Barnum of Gold Star Mommies.
And, son, you hear this loud and clear,
Don’t you even think about spittin’
Less you want that smart mouth busted here,
And believe me, we’re not shittin’.
(Chorus)
Let us make it clear, we’ve all come here
To defend our long-dead brothers;
And understand you ain’t layin’ a hand
On our Wall you lefty mothers.
Because of you losers we lose our wars,
Our warriors are left to bleed,
Cause of Jane and Cindy, these media whores
With their camera-craving creed.
So follow these traitors, these loser bitches,
Let them lead you to your fall;
But I promise you, son, you’re gonna need stitches,
You even get close to this Wall.
(Chorus)
Let us make it clear, we’ve all come here
To defend our long-dead brothers;
And understand you ain’t layin’ a hand
On our Wall you lefty mothers.
I love the lyrics to that song, Poetrooper. Is there any kind of audio of it actually being sung?
The weather was horrific that day and my feet were like blocks of ice BUT….it was beyond a privilege and heartwarming to be there and to have stood at the gates of WRAMC the night before in the cold and snow. It was great to see HUGE crowds at both venues that weekend. There’s nothing like standing with Patriots.
There is one image that remains with me of that day that symbolizes everything – at one point the lefties were forming up On Constitution to recreate their 1967 march. Their speechifying was over, but the chanting had started. From the area of the street, you heard the children on the north whining, “What do we want? (Some unintelligible response, probably no war, peace or some such – not certain that they were even trying to say the same thing), When do we want it, NOW.” The adults on the south side of Constitution were chanting, “USA, USA, USA,” clearly and proudly as they waved properly displayed US flags. The contrast was amazing. It crystalized something I had always known, but in such a simple and elegant way.
Whining infants demanding stuff based on what they want, as if any of us are obligated to bow to their every whim, vs the grown-ups who are concerned with the needs of our country.
Zero Ponsdorf…Good for you and The Gathering Of Eagles brother. Good job. Bravo Zulu!!!
I was there watching out for famed CIA spymaster Dwayne “Dewey” Clarridge to make sure he was OK. He was carrying the monstrous sign about the Contra’s. I remember seeing Michelle Malkin there as well!