Regarding the Posting of Troop Addresses
November 28, 2007
I have heard the numerous references to Operational Security
regarding our brave warrior’s addresses. We have been in contact with
all the family members of these valiant heroes and all have agreed
that the potential of good outweighs the bad. To a person, all have
agreed that service members getting multiple well wishes, cards and
expressions of love from us, and those like us, is the point. One
soldier currently serving in harm’s way told me personally, “Hell
Chris, you guys are fighting them in the streets for us. You keep
doing that and I won’t worry if some bastard sends me something
stupid. I’ll just throw it away.” I suggested that instead of
throwing it away he should affix it to the remains of the next
terrorist he dispatches. That generated a chuckle.
Look, we get it. Some of the worst examples of humanity will
probably take this opportunity to send despicable comments to our
warriors. They are not fine china though. They are battle hardened
warriors defending freedom, and the reason why each of us gets to do
what we want to celebrate Christmas this, and every year. They will
survive, provided they receive a short note from each and every one of
us. So expend the energy that has been directed to the website with
multiple expressions of respect and love, and remember just how
important getting mail is. I love each and every one of these kids;
as do we all. I want no harm to come to them. This is, quite simply,
the best way to reach them. If I thought that posting my own address
would guarantee they receive no negative letters I would do so. I do
know, however, that when I get my weekly death threats and/or hate
mail, whether via snail mail or in electronic form, it only galvanizes
me to fight all the harder. I would suggest the same is true of them.
Thank you for all that each of you does for each of them, and for the
concern you have all offered. Manchu.
Chris Hill
National Director for Operations
Gathering of Eagles
Vote on a GOE Flag!
November 28, 2007
Eagles! Our ad hoc flag-design committee has completed its work on the GOE flag. They have winnowed down several outstanding designs under consideration to three, which you see here. Each will have a 3 x 5 ratio (whether measuring in inches, rods, millimeters, varas, or feet!), so size is not an issue.
You will note that each state has the option of having its own flag. The examples have a two-letter state abbreviation beneath the “Never Again” banner. The national flag will have no such abbreviation.
After discussions with the committee, it has been decided to put the selection to a membership vote. That way, each Eagle will have one vote. I respectfully request that you only vote once.
Voting will commence immediately and continue through Friday, Dec.7th, which, perhaps appropriately, is Pearl Harbor Day. On Saturday morning, Dec. 8th, I will count the votes and inform you which design has won. At that point, we will seek out a flagmaker to produce the flags for us.
PLEASE do not write me to express your displeasure! The choices have been narrowed to three, and they are final.
You may send your vote to me at larrywb@suddenlink.net. Voter ID will be by e-mail address. I ask that you vote using the following format:
Name:
e-Mail address:
Vote: [simply put #1, #2, or #3] and nothing else
Comment: Make it brief!
Thanks to the flag committee for really putting this issue through the wringer! You have done a fabulous job!
Larry Bailey
Honoring Heroes at the Holidays
November 28, 2007
Move America Forward will arrive in New York City on Sunday, December 16th, culminating their 16 state cross country caravan collecting Holiday Cards for our young men and women serving overseas this Holiday season.
Let’s pull out all the stops and get as many cards as possible written and delivered to them on their arrival here. The attached flier details how cards are to be prepared and where to mail them in New York City to meet the caravan.
Time is short. Two weeks to get cards written and mailed to arrive in New York so let’s get a move on!
We will have a large rally in New York City to welcome the caravan at Liberty Street and Church Street by the World Trade Center site starting at 1 pm on Sunday, December 16th. Please plan to attend and deliver your cards personally if you are in the area!
We will all enjoy the comfort of friends and family this season while our young military men and women will be serving far away from home. Let’s take a little time now to show them that we are thinking about them and supporting the fine job they are doing for us around the world!
Dan Maloney
New York State Coordinator
Gathering of Eagles
——————-
Join Move America Forward and the Gathering of Eagles in Supporting Our Troops by delivering over 100,000 Christmas, Holiday and Hanukkah Cards to the men and women of the U.S. Military who will be thousands of miles away from their homes and families this holiday season.
Get your children, churches, temples and schools to participate! Bring the cards to the rally on December 16th or mail them in batches to our collection location.
Instructions for preparing cards:
1. Write an appropriate supportive holiday message to a soldier on the card.
2. Do NOT seal the envelope.
3. Hand drawn cards can be folded without an envelope and addressed as below.
4. Address the card as follows depending on the card inside:
o Christmas Card for Our Troops
o Holiday Card for Our Troops
o Hanukkah Card for Our Troops
Place the individual cards into a larger envelope or box and bring to the rally on December 16th or address and mail it/them to:
Honoring Heroes at the Holidays c/o
The Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airman’s Club
283 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Thank you for helping us to show America’s support for our men and women who will be serving far from the family, friends and festivities we will be enjoying this holiday season!
Dan Maloney goe.ny@earthlink.net
New York State Coordinator
Gathering of Eagles
For further information on how you can support the troops please visit the following websites:
www.moveamericaforward.org www.gatheringofeagles.org
Christmas Cards to the Troops - Updated 5 Dec
November 23, 2007
Eagles,
This year we are bringing Christmas cheer to those who are far away defending our freedoms. We have a list of troops both at Walter Reed and deployed who could use some support and cheer this holiday season. Feel free to send us your loved ones’ names and units so we can send them some love too!
LCpl WASHINGTON, William
1/7 Co WPNS CAAT RED
Unit 41535
FPO AP 96426-1535
John White
CJTF-82 HQ PLT
APO-AE 09354
PFC Leah Murray
24th TC, 3rd Plt
FOB Q-West
APO AE 09351
[PFC Murray volunteered for another tour in Iraq just days after returning home from one. We salute her!]
Morgan D. Ortagus
US AID/Iraq
U.S. Embassy in Baghdad
APO AE 09316
Spc Ian W. Keyser
A Battery, 4/319th AFAR (TFKing)
FOB Khogyani
APO, AE 09354
Cpl. Ray Hennagir
Walter Reed Army Hospital
Rm 226
6900 Georgia Ave.NW
Washington, DC 20307
Cpl. Garcia, Felix F.
MWSS 272 MT MAINT
UNIT 77151
FPO AE 09509-7151
SPC Jake Altman
Malogne House
Room 248
6900 Georgia Ave.NW
Washington, DC 20307
[You may remember Jake as the soldier I wrote about after GOE III.]
PV2 D. A. Crilly
B. Co. 2/58
9375 Conway Drive
Fort Benning Ga. 31905
[PV2 Crilly is more affectionately known to Eagles as Monk, and is a prior service guy who re-enlisted --even though he's 43 years old--and is now kicking ass at Fort Benning.]
CHRISTOPHER D. KLEIN
C COMPANY, 864TH ENG.BATTALION
APO AE 09322
(This kid has asked for writing supplies for his unit)
Cole DeWald
A btry/4-319th AFAR (TF King)
FOB Kalagush
APO AE 09354
AC2 Moreno, John A.
USS Harry S, Truman (CVN -75)
OPS/SEC 3M WXS/ DCPO
SPO-AE 09524-0004
Pfc Brian Piasecki
C CO / 2 - 327 IN
1 BCT, 101 ABN DIV
FOB Brassfield-Mora
APO AE 09393
More on Redacted
November 17, 2007
I called the Dallas Mavericks front office today to express my displeasure at Mark Cuban’s funding of Redacted. I started the conversation by saying, “I hope this isn’t the only phone call you’re going to receive like this, but I am a soldier and I never raped nor murdered anyone.” The woman on the other end of the line said, “Why would you blame Mark?” When I responded, “Because he funded the project,” I found myself talking to dead air. My thought is that we should all call, or write and express our displeasure. The address and phone are below. Remember, use no profanity, but be firm and let the front office know that this use of Mr. Cuban’s fortune is unacceptable. The men and women in the military are what’s best about our country and Mr. Cuban should know that Hollywood may applaud his efforts, but we will never forget. Manchu.
Mark Cuban
Dallas Mavericks
The Pavilion, 2909 Taylor Street, Dallas, TX 75226
Main Administrative Office Phone: 214.747.MAVS
Thank you,
Chris Hill
Gathering of Eagles
National Director for Operations
http://www.gatheringofeagles.org/
Boycott Redacted
November 15, 2007
Hello Patriots,
Hollywood is set to release yet another movie bashing the military. It is the latest in another string of Vietnam type models where we, the military, are the bad guys. As you can see below GOE and a host of like minded organizations are set to boycott and protest the movie’s release. Hollywood only understands one thing: money. We need to make sure they understand that there 23.9 million of us who do not want this type of garbage to run unchecked. Take a look at the Press Release below and, please, act accordingly. I am thinking of standing outside the theater here in Philly with a sign detailing my disgust with the movie. I do not expect all of you to do that, but I would ask that all of you do one thing from the suggested list below.
I had one of the best, if not the best Veteran’s Day weekends this past weekend. It started with me standing in the rain outside Walter Reed to let our wounded heroes know we love them. A number of them came out and thanked us. I also marched in the parade Saturday and read at The Wall that night. I finished up with a trip to Arlington where I treated my girlfriend to the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown. I’ll be damned if I will let all those men and women down by not taking on this movie’s release. Remember: not only would this current crop of warriors do it for us, they already are. Be well my brothers and sisters. It is time to pull in the perimeter and put all the rifles on the line. Fighting is what we are trained to do, so let’s call in the fast movers, the big guns and the naval batteries and remind these people that we are the reason they can say these things, but we will not remain silent anymore. Manchu.
11/16/2007
Los Angeles, CA: The Landmark
Palo Alto, CA: Aquarius 2
Pasadena, CA: Laemmle’s One Colorado Cinemas
San Francisco, CA: Embarcadero Center Cinema
Santa Ana, CA: South Coast Village 3
West Hollywood, CA: Sunset 5
Washington, DC: E Street Cinema
Cambridge, MA: Kendall Square Cinema
New York, NY: Sunshine Cinema
New York, NY: Lincoln Plaza
Philadelphia, PA: Ritz at the Bourse
11/21/2007
San Diego, CA: Hillcrest Cinemas
Denver, CO: Mayan Theatre
Minneapolis, MN: Lagoon Cinema
11/30/2007
Santa Rosa, CA: Rialto Cinemas Lakeside
Wilmington, DE: Theater N at Demours
Atlanta, GA: Midtown Art Cinemas 8
Durham, NC: Carolina Theatre - Durham
Raleigh, NC: Colony Twin
Cleveland Heights, OH: Cedar Lee Theatres
Dallas, TX: Magnolia Theatre - Dallas
Houston, TX: River Oaks Theatre
Boycott Redacted
is on the move!
We have hit the ground running and already have several key supporters on board!
is now up and we are on the attack. With an help from some truly great
partners,
Boycottredacted.com is now ready to lead the assault to defend the American service
member’s honor by showing Brian De Palma and Mark Cuban that their treasonous acts will not be
tolerated!
has already partnered with these great organizations to help us reach our
goal:
•
Vets for Freedom
•
Move America Forward
•
Band of Mothers
•
HowiesHead.com
•
Chandler’s Watch radio show
•
Free Republic
•
A Gathering of Eagles
•
Pat Dollard
•
Long War Journal
•
And many more to be announced soon!
With an ever increasing amount of support,
Boycottredacted.com is gaining momentum as the
release of Redacted looms on the horizon. But we still need all the help that we can get!
So how can you participate?
1. You can go onto our website and sign the online petition.
2. Email your contacts the
Boycottredacted.com link.
3. Then mobilize other patriotic Americans to protest in front of Landmark theatres when the film
is being shown. (See
Boycottredacted.com for the locations and show times.)
CONTACT:
JOHN HOWELL
National Boycott Organizer
(708) 415-1440
Veterans Day Honor
November 15, 2007
I have used this venue to praise my heroes, the Vietnam vets, multiple times, but I need to do it one more time. I had the distinct honor of walking in the parade Saturday with the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial Society. These men have supported our missions and needs since day one. In fact, thanks to them three soldiers managed to keep their houses and a Blue Star was able to fly across the country to visit with her son who had just returned from Iraq. Not only are they supreme examples of patriots, they are wonderful human beings; although I would never allow them that much praise face to face. It would ruin my reputation. It was wonderful to see the smiles on their faces and the tears in their eyes as we walked down Constitution Avenue. People lining the sidewalks yelled “WELCOME HOME” and “THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.” It meant the world to them, and to me. These are my Gold Standard. They are aces, and I owe them, and every other Vietnam vet, a debt I cannot repay. Thank you gentlemen for letting me be a part of your day. Manchu.
Another GOE Hero
November 15, 2007
We welcomed PFC Murray home only a week ago, but she has volunteered for another deployment. I want every single eagle to send her at least a Christmas card. She lost her father while she was deployed and her mother died some time ago. We are her family now and I want her to feel it. Thank you. Manchu. PFC Leah Murray
24th TC, 3rd Platoon
FOB Q-West
APO AE 09351
STOP PLAYING POLITICS AND FUND THE TROOPS
November 15, 2007
Eagles!
As many of you know, Freedom’s Watch is assisting us, Move America Forward, and other organizations in “getting the word out” about the criticality of providing the necessary funding for American troops in Iraq. This is one of their efforts.
Please do what you can to pass this around–maybe some of you can even pay to put the ad (less the information about Freedom’s Watch paying for the ad) in your local newspapers. At any rate, check out www.freedomswatch.org for more information and write your elected officials in Washington!
You should feel free to make this ad current, as FW uses “today” in describing the release. It’ll obviously be “another day” by the time you can get it published. Also, FW suggests that we take the basic information and make our own local ads. A local ad that would be appropriate would be something like this:
“Americans, the Left and the radical Islamists are working together to defeat the forces of freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan. Gathering of Eagles http://gatheringofeagles.org is working with Freedom’s Watch www.freedomswatch.org and Move America Forward www.moveamericaforward.org to make sure that our troops are adequately funded to fight the most important war of our generation. Please do what you can to ensure that [local congressman/senators] join[s] the fight against Islamic terrorism by providing our troops with what they need to defeat the jihadists.”
Thanks!
Larry Bailey
Veterans’ Votes Disappear
November 12, 2007
Last Tuesday, 6 November, 2007, was Election Day here in Philadelphia. On an average Election Day there are between 100 and 150 absentee ballots from active duty service members. This election there were 8. Maybe only 8 men and women voted. Maybe this is much ado about nothing, but it does seem suspicious. Special Forces officer David Oh was on the ballot for a City Council At-Large seat. It is a close election. Votes are still being tallied. Currently only about a dozen votes separate him and his challenger.
We are actively soliciting anyone from Philadelphia, PA who has a relative serving overseas. If any of them voted we would like to know. Please contact us with their names so we can check them against the list of absentee ballots. If service men or women were denied their right to vote, while actively helping to preserve democracy, we will not stand idly by. Put out the word. Email your lists and call your friends. It is time for us, the Gathering of Eagles, to say we will not allow any ill treatment to befall our brave men and women in uniform. It is time for us to say, this is our line in the sand. This far, and no farther. Manchu.
Chris Hill
Vigil to Close the School of the Americas
November 12, 2007
On the weekend of November 16-18, thousands will gather at the gates of Fort Benning, Georgia, for the Vigil and the Nonviolent Direct Action to Close the School of the Americas.
Organized by UFPJ member group School of the Americas Watch, a Communist and anti-American organization. This cannot go unanswered!
GOE Radio: Veterans’ Day, Marine Corps Birthday, and the Wall at 25
November 9, 2007
Tonight is a very special show on The Front Line. We’ll be talking about the Marine Corps, which turns 232 tomorrow, and highlighting some of the well-known (and little-known) heroes that have word the eagle, globe, and anchor.
We’ll also be talking about Veterans’ Day, and some of the events planned throughout the country. Pro-victory Americans aren’t the only ones planning events, and so it’s imperative that you consider going out to meet the anti-war, anti-America liberals and tell them that we will not settle for less than absolute victory.
We’ll also have Lynn Kessler with us to talk about the new documentary by the Smithsonian, “Remembering Vietnam: The Wall at 25.”
We’ll also be playing a few songs for you that you may know…and may not. They’re all must-hear songs, and I’m proud to detour from my usual format to bring them to you.
As always, I’ll be taking your calls at 646-915-9926 so feel free to call in and tell us about a hero you know. If you’re a veteran, call and tell us where you served so we can say thank you. Whatever you do, don’t miss this show.
Smithsonian to Air Documentary On the Wall
November 9, 2007
The Smithsonian Channel is airing a special block of programming ‘America’s War Stories’ (on Direct TV this weekend) with the special feature being a new documentary ‘Remembering Vietnam – The Wall at 25’ that Jan Scruggs (Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund founder and president) calls “the best documentary about The Wall I’ve ever seen”.
You can view a promo of the show here:
This program will be streamed live on the Smithsonian Channel website (www.smithsonianchannel.com) concurrent with its High Definition premiere on Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11 at 9pm EST / 6pm PST. You can get all the information about it here.
A Tale of Two Heroes Betrayed
November 8, 2007
It has come to my attention that two of our brothers need a little numerical support. Both live in states where the Congressional delegation mouths the party line that they support the troops, but the opposite is truly the situation. One lives in Pennsylvania and the other in New York. Both were responsible for acts of valor so audacious as to be worthy of a John Wayne movie. Both performed acts of heroism in combat that are so extraordinary that they deserve, in my estimation, the Medal of Honor. At the very least they deserve the consideration involved with the MOH. Neither is getting even that because politics have, once again, trumped sacrifice and selflessness.
Neither man asked for help. Both have suffered with the stoicism so common to our most heroic brothers. The first, Richard Gresko, came to my attention back at GOE I. He limps badly and is in quite obvious constant pain, but there he was on that bitterly cold day in March standing up to A.N.S.W.E.R. and Code Pink. Long story short, Richie, a Marine in Vietnam, leapt upon a grenade to save his squad, and though painfully wounded continued to direct his unit until he was evacuated. The second, David Bellavia, came to my attention because I saw his book on the shelf in a local bookstore. After I got it home I realized he was one of our brothers from Vets for Freedom. David was a one man task force who nearly single-handedly cleared a building in Fallujah. Before all was said and done he had dispatched multiple terrorists to their final resting place; one with his helmet and a Gerber knife. Both men are the stuff of the type of lore we who have served respect, and neither know that I’m about to solicit your help.
I would like to ask that each of you read the citations below. When you are done I would ask that you then call your Congressmen and both Senators and tell them that these men are worthy of our nation’s highest honor. Email or snail mail a letter too, demanding that the politicians in Washington give these men the honor they are due. Richie has Arlen Specter and Bob Casey in the Senate and Patrick Murphy in the House. David has Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer and Reynolds in the House. Both men were recommended by their commanders for the Medal of Honor. Both have impeccable witness statements. Both have done the deed; now let’s get them the award to accompany it.
Seldom do I use this venue for such a blatantly personal reason, but I am asking each of you reading this to do me a personal favor. Please follow up on this request. I truly want nothing more than to see both David and Richie with that awe-inspiring light blue ribbon and medal around their necks. I can do many things alone, but this I cannot do without your help; each and every one of you. Read the citations and tell me that politics is not at play. I, for one, am through with building bridges to our elected officials. I am starting to demand that they remember they work for us. Please help me, or our brothers will just be another casualty of Capitol Hill. Manchu.
-Chris Hill
National Director for Operations
MoveOn.org to Protest Veterans Day in Louisville
November 8, 2007
In honor of Veterans Day, Vets for Freedom invites you to attend a Tribute to Veterans this Saturday, November 10 th in Louisville at 3 pm. The event will be held at 16300 Eastwood Cutoff Road, Louisville KY.
This is a fantastic opportunity to support our troops and to honor their sacrifice.
Unfortunately, Moveon.org is going to protest this fantastic tribute to American veterans. Please forward this invite to other friends or neighbors who would be interested in supporting our troops and honoring their sacrifices.
Here is an example of the Moveon.org protesters’ plan for targeting a tribute to our nation’s veterans:
From: PCUnity-Louisville <>
To: Peace and Community Unity < >
Date: Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:59:04 -0500
Subject: PLEASE READ: Pro-war town hall rally coming to LouisvilleDear LPAC and Iraq Campaign Supporters,
On Saturday November 10th, Vets for Freedom & Vets for Victory will host a pro-war “town hall rally” in Louisville. These groups are attempting to portray to local and national media that Kentuckians actually support the Iraq War and Senator McConnell’s support of the White House Iraq policies.
On October 17, Vets for Freedom hosted a “town hall rally” in Walton, KY. While the group hoped to show pro-war results in a conservative area of the Commonwealth, the weak turnout of pro-war citizens and the strong showing of anti-war veterans did not not allow them to achieve their goal. Vets for Freedom is trying very hard to change that reality. Last week they announced an aggressive national recruitment drive and a second town hall in KY with guest speaker Erwin Roberts, a pro-war Republican candidate for Rep. John Yarmuth’s seat.
In response, on Saturday November 10, the Iraq Campaign needs you to join us as we establish a strong and respectful presence at their next “town hall rally”. Vets For Freedom & Vets for Victory are coming to our town and we need to again prove to them and the media that the majority of Kentuckians do NOT support an endless, reckless war in Iraq… or Iran!
They are reacting to the overwhelming success of the KY Iraq Summer & Iraq Campaign… Will you help us continue to succeed?
Please join us on:
Saturday, November 10 3pm-5pm
Eastwood Community Center
16300 Eastwood Cutoff Road
Louisville KY 40245This meeting should be of very high importance to all of us who do not support the reckless, endless war in Iraq!
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about these events, please feel free to call/email Sara (her contact info is listed below).
See you on Saturday Nov. 10!
All the best,
Sara, Shawn & Aniello
* * * *
Iraq Campaign
www.iraqcampaign.org
Let’s show these anti-American people that Veterans Day is sacred–and not something for them to desecrate.
Chris Hill
Gathering of Eagles
National Director for Operations
http://www.gatheringofeagles.org/
Victory Caucus
November 6, 2007
Eagles!
Here’s another example of how others view us. Victory Caucus is a heavy-hitting group of Americans, and we are proud to be endorsed by them.
Let’s continue to make them proud of US!
Larry Bailey
Report From Anbar Province
November 6, 2007
The following report comes from LtCol Jeffrey J, serving with the 1/7 in Iraq. It’s long, but well worth the read.
Read more
After Action Report: Harrisburg, NC
November 6, 2007
This morning at sunrise, I mounted my flags and hung my signs thanking Vets for their service and using the one the VA has on their site as a hand hold. People in Harrisburg commuting RT 49 don’t see American flags on their way to work. But they did this morning!
There were no mOOnbats present except one guy who flipped me off. I laughed at him! Yes, Poppa Duck, I didn’t whack him.
You gotta love the truckers. They were blowing their horns one after another. I was joined by 2 RVN vets who stopped by, 1 Marine and 1 Army. Great brothers. Hopefully I recruited them into the Eagles.
A touching thing this morning; a woman came into the parking lot at Circle K where I was with her 87 year old father who had been disabled by strokes much like my father-in-law. She was carrying him to the doctor and he insisted she take him over to my corner. It was hard to hear him in all the noise and he could no longer walk. He served on Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and Saipan as a combat infantryman in the Marines according to his daughter. She said he didn’t have a lot time left on this earth.
This frail old warrior wanted so desperately to salute the American Flags I was flying this morning. This wonderful man and Marine Veteran raised his knurled hand as best as he good and saluted. As he was holding his salute, his hand was shaking so bad he used his left hand to steady his arm.
I gave her my business card and asked her to call me when God calls him home so I may honor him at his funeral. She said she would.
As they drove off he held his salute the best he could I and returned his salute. Finest salute I ever had. What an honor to meet such a patriot. God Bless him.
There is no doubt we are on the right track my brothers and sisters. I think that made this Marine’s day. I know it made my year. I can say I was profoundly touched and was difficult to keep the tears back. I think I might do a couple more.
All it takes is a flag and maybe one sign and one-hour of time, morning or evening, any day of the week that works for your schedule to bring the message that America is a great country. The people have had enough of the garbage eaters sending a message that America is a failure. Change the face of America? You bet your buns we can!
Faithfully Yours,
Waldo Pepper
After Action Report: Little Rock 10/27
November 6, 2007
Saturday, October 27th was a beautiful day in Little Rock. Caleb and I arrived at the Wal-Mart parking lot around 11:15 AM, and began to unload our signs and flag. A car pulled up, and the lady asked if we were with Gathering of Eagles, and I told her, “yes”. She said she was checking out at Wal-Mart when her husband called her cell phone from Camp Victory, Iraq, where he is deployed. He told her that he had read about our counter protest on the GOE website, and asked her to come by and join us. At that moment, I was truly humbled, and knew our small, short-notice action was getting the message to the troops that the Eagles, and those who support us, have their backs. Unfortunately, I didn’t write down the lady’s name, but know that her husband will read this post, and know to whom I am referring. The main body of PGR’s were in Cabot, AR for a mission, which was far more important than facing down the moonbats.
Initially, we had a couple of folks come to our corner of the very busy intersection, including an original Vietnam Veterans Against the War member. They were somewhat shocked to find someone protesting their protest. The VVAW member tried his best to argue his philosophy concerning the War on Terror versus war against nations, and the criminality of pre-emptive war. He compared the US action in Iraq to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. I finally had to tell Wayne to quit wasting his energy on such tripe, and join us at the curb, which, at that point, was probably a very good thing for the VVAW member’s physical well being.
Many “Impeach Bush” and “Stop The Torture” signs, but, as Wayne noticed too, no American flags. Initially, one of the moonbat organizers came up with a package of small flags, but they seemed to disappear after a few minutes. After a while, the teenage daughter of the lady who joined us initially arrived, and held the flag. The symbolism of a child of a deployed, re-greened 56-year old solider holding the flag against the insurgency at home was awesome! Her daddy should be very proud of her. As a Vietnam veteran, I know it thrilled me to see my son standing with me, also holding the flag. Actually, my son was the reason all of us were there to begin with, as he is the one who called the moonbat action to my attention. Kudos to Caleb for his actions. Additionally, a lady who had just been driving down the street, parked her car, came over to me and asked if we had a sign she could hold. I had made several signs, so I invited her to join us, which she did. Finally, one of the teenage friends of the daughter came, and also held a sign until the end.
The main group of moonbats broke up around 1:00 PM, and I had to get to work, so we closed down our counter protest, except for Wayne, who stayed a while longer. We held our own, we kept the faith and let our deployed brothers and sisters know we have their back.
An old motto from the South says, “Deo Vindice”, “Under God, Our Vindicator”, and that is how I close this report from the hinterlands.
Deo Vindice,
Jim Lites
After Action Report: Chicago
November 3, 2007
Eagles!
Bev Perlson is my hero. She singlehandedly put together a group of stalwarts in Chicago that stood down a much-larger moonbat force, and she got great coverage in the local media!
Please read her After-Action Report to see what ONE PERSON can do! Thanks, Bev, for putting this all together!
Larry Bailey
Chairman
We were about 40 strong and they were about 3,000 strong. However, the local TV stations gave us excellent coverage. All the local media gave our gallant and proud Patriots as much coverage as they gave the misguided “miscreants”. Some of them even thanked us for coming out and said we could call them in the future when we rally! Special thanks to Tera with Fox news and Antoinne with WGN! The Chicago Police were extremely supportive and lots of them thanked us for coming out. They totally surrounded us and those on the horses were not facing us, they were lined up on Dearborn Street facing the demonstrators. I am so proud of what we accomplished and the one thing I had hoped for occurred. As this is my Son’s hometown where these people chose to demonstrate, I wanted more than anything for my brave warrior over in Afghanistan to see his mother out there with her sign declaring pride in his service. Well, I am happy to report my Sign was all over the TV and my Son has seen my sign! He thanked all of us for coming out and supporting our Soldiers! He also had a colorful response to the young man carrying the sign F— the war pigs, but I will leave to your imagination what that was.
Thank You to the Minutemen, Gathering of Eagles, Eagles Up and Each and Every Patriot who came out and stood with us on Saturday! Thanks to Move America Forward and Families United for your moral support! We may have been small, but we stood with mighty hearts in support of our troops and their mission! Size doesn’t matter here, our message does! Everyone agreed we will contune to Step Up Stand Up and Stick Up For Our Soldiers!! Thank you with all my heart to all who came!
One last note, as we were leaving, driving in our car, we witnessed 4 young anti-war protestors throwing their signs away in the garbage can (the Poor Chicago Sanitation Dept!) They saw us watching them and they starting pulling their signs back out of the trash! We took our signs home because we are committed to our Soldiers and their mission and we intend to use them again and, Nobody bought our signs, we paid for them ourselves!
To those who say they support our Soldiers but not the war, I say your actions in demonstrating and holding signs that say F—the War Pigs, are aiding and abetting the enemy and hurting our Soldiers!
It is no coincidence that we have not been attacked since 9/11. Our Soldiers are doing a great job keeping the terrorists out of our backyard. Support them in their efforts as they support your way of life.
I leave you with this quote from General Giap of the Vietnam military and I urge all Americans to learn from history and take heed:
“What we still don’t understand is why you Americans stopped the bombing of Hanoi! You had us on the ropes. If you pressed us a little harder, just for another day or two, we were ready to surrender! It was the same at the battles of TET. You defeated us! We knew it, and we thought you knew it. But we were elated to notice your media were definitely helping us. They were causing more disruption in America than we could in the battlefields. We were ready to surrender. You had won!”
I am
The Very Proud Mother of Sgt. John P. White
HOOAH!!!!Beverly Perlson
Founder, The Band of Mothers
