IVAW “Presents” to Congress??
May 7, 2008
An Artist Who Gets It
May 7, 2008
Recently, GOE’s Chairman, Captain Larry Bailey USN SEAL Ret, was in an airport when he happened upon a work of art made from clay consisting of desert boots, goggles and helmet arranged as if quickly removed by the soldier. We have all come to expect some anti-American message from such items. How wonderful then that this was not the case.
The artist, L. Heather McMahan, created the statue “Welcome Home” to honor the service of all those who have worn the uniform. Heather originally paid the airport to display the statue. That’s how much she wanted it known that there is support for our brave men and women in uniform. The statue will be donated to the 4th ID at Ft. Hood so that those who inspired it may see it, and consider it their own.
I have emailed back and forth with Heather, and have visited her site. The statue is nearly as powerful in that venue as the CO tells me it was in person. I suggest all of you visit her site at www.artforsoldiers.org and leave her a note of thanks. Bless you Heather for recognizing that all veterans want is for our country to love us as much as we love it. Manchu.
Operation Recruiter Appreciation Update
May 6, 2008
Suzi Benjamin~The Truth
April 29, 2008
Eagles!
You’ve heard me blather about what one person can do; now see Bev Perlson’s latest confrontation with Suzi (Medea) Benjamin, one of the top dogs in Code Pink! Note the sign and the GOE flag! This shot was taken at last week’s GOE counter-protest against Code Pink in New Jersey.
Way to go, Bev!
Larry Bailey
GOE and the G.I. Film Festival
April 29, 2008
We who have served have all had to bear the resentment towards to Hollywood for the way they depict us. Lately, the American soldier is typically portrayed as a poor victim who had no other choice but to serve, or worse as a criminal malcontent. The actual honor and nobility of military service doesn’t seem to make it to major outlets, so the public is left with an unfair, negative or downright despicable image of us. Brandon Millet, whose wife is a West Point grad, saw this and decided to do something about it. He started the G.I. Film Fest to show movies that portray the American service member in a more positive, accurate light.
Hollywood only understands one thing: money. They will make movies that are closer to reality if they smell a profit. This is a way for us to directly send a message to Hollywood, and enjoy some good film fare. Brandon is offering a 20% discount to all Eagles, so go to the festival link and help Brandon to help us. www.gifilmfestival.com. A movie scene that has always stuck in my head has a line that sums it up for me, “All I’ve ever wanted is for my country to love me as much as I love it.” Brandon and the rest of the staff at the G.I. Film Festival get that, so thanks Brandon for loving us and making it known. Manchu.
A Father Keeps the Faith
April 24, 2008
PFC Byron W. Fouty, 19, of Waterford, Michigan and Spc. Alex R. Jimenez, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts both of the 10th Mountain Division have been listed as POW/MIA since their patrol was ambushed on 12 May, 2007. In Michigan, Byron’s stepdad has refused to accept anything but that Byron and Alex will one day come home. I have spoken to him on numerous occasions. He is a salt of the earth type. To honor and remember these men a Ride and Rally will be held 17 May, 2008. We can only keep the faith that we will, eventually, get to welcome these brave warriors home. Brothers Byron and Alex, you are not forgotten. Manchu.
Chris Hill
National Director of Operations
Gathering of Eagles Read more
2008 Operation Recruiter Appreciation underway!
April 24, 2008
Hello EAGLES! I have volunteered to act as the GOE point of contact for “Operation Recruiter Appreciation” (ORA) to be held on or about May 17th (Armed Forces Day). Our recruiters are our “First Line of Defense” and need to be recognized for their efforts. In the past year, our recruiters have been under attack by insurgents right here at home! As Eagles we need to show them that we know they are important and we appreciate them. Read more
Tullytown Memorial Day Parade Invite
April 23, 2008
Many of you will remember our very first successful action after GOE I. It took place in suburban Philadelphia, in the Borough of Tullytown. MSgt Joe Shellenberger, a member of City Council in Tullytown, had deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. As he was stationed on an airbase, he wanted to participate in Council business via teleconference. Despite it being expressly authorized by the state charter, the City Council President refused to allow a motion to even be brought. Well, we heard about a brother in arms needing assistance and showed up in force. Long story short, we lost the initial battle and could not get Joe his teleconference, but we did inform the borough’s residents of the miscarriage of justice. City Council elections swept out the offending parties and the bylaws were changed to expressly permit deployed service members their Constitutional rights. Read more
Navy SEAL Michael A. Monsoor~Medal of Honor
April 19, 2008
During Petty Officer Mike Monsoor’s funeral here in San Diego, as Mike’s coffin was being moved from the hearse to the grave site at Ft Rosecrans National Cemetery, SEALs were lined up on both sides of the pallbearers route forming a column of two’s with the coffin moving up the center.
As the Mike’s coffin passed, each SEAL, having removed his gold Trident from his uniform, slapped it down embedding the Trident in the wooden coffin; the slaps were audible from across the cemetery; by the time the coffin arrived grave side, it looked as though it had a gold inlay from all the Tridents pinned to it. Read more
Military Order of the Purple Heart
April 17, 2008
Eagles!
Henry Cook, National Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and a great friend of Eagles everywhere, has taken a fall on behalf of truth and honesty. Those self-serving people at the MOPH Foundation (not affiliated with the Order itself) have brought discredit to ALL veteran service organizations by their blatant mismanagement of the funds entrusted to them. The Foundation got an “F” in a recent evaluation of military support organizations.
Take a look at the ABC News piece here: http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter
Please go to the MOPH website and send Henry a big GOE “well-done!”
And if you feel led, go to the Foundation website and give them a big Eagle “Boo-Hiss!”
PHSF@purpleheartfoundation.org
Larry Bailey
Murtha’s Office Calls Cops On Iraq Vet’s Mom
April 15, 2008
Eagles!
Remember the Eagle emphasis on what one person can do? Well, Eagle Bev Perlson has shown once again what one determined individual with some guts can do. Read Bruce Kesler’s column below for proof of it!
Well done, Bev.
Larry Bailey
On April 8, the Vets For Freedom, over 450 Iraq and Afghan war veterans, blanketed Capital Hill to meet with Congressmen and Senators.
Senators McCain, Lieberman, Graham, Inhofe and Bond, along with Congressmen Marshall and Johnson greeted them on the lawn and spoke of the importance of our mission. (See great photos here.) Read more
Outside the Wire
April 14, 2008
Eagles!
Here is an effort that we should all support. It shows the daily (and deadly) routine performed by our troops in the Sand Box (Iraq). I was so taken by the trailer that I ordered the set of two CD’s, which show all three of the productions. Check out the website at http://outsidethewire.com, and you’ll get a sense of what this is all about.
GOE has no interest in OTW (Outside the Wire) other than getting the truth about Iraq to the American people. OTW is a good step in that direction.
Please take a look! This is really good.
Larry Bailey
GOE TAKES THE MESSAGE TO CONGRESS
April 8, 2008
Under cloudy skies that spit and threatened to open up on us, several dozen hardy souls gathered at The Capitol on Monday. In advance of General Petraeus‘ and Ambassador Crocker’s testimony Tuesday and Wednesday, GOE, and some of our friends from DC Protest Warrior and the DC Chapter of Free Republic, got together and broke into teams of twos and threes. We visited 437 Congressional offices and left behind a position paper that stated in no unequivocal terms that we SUPPORT THE TROOPS AND THEIR MISSION. Read more
Troops~Coffee~GOE
April 5, 2008
Eagles!
Look what Eagles Robert Gowan and Irene Holland are doing! Robert ships the donated coffee and Irene buys and ships the coffeemakers.
What a difference two folks can make. The letter below demonstrates that; please read it!
Larry Bailey
SGT Matt Maupin’s Remains Found in Iraq
March 30, 2008
I have worn a bracelet with Matt’s name on it for almost four years, and was dreading the upcoming anniversary of his capture. I have read everything there is on the internet about him; to know the man whose name I wore on my wrist seemed to be the least I could do. The circle of black metal become a living symbol for me, one of sadness, certainly–but also one of pride, and hope.
Today, I take it off and place it on my desk, where I can look at it and remember him. The tan line on my wrist will fade eventually, but the memory of Matt’s sacrifice, and the horrors he endured for the sake of our nation will live forever in the hearts and minds of those who know the price of freedom. Godspeed, little brother. Your name will never be forgotten. Never.
Kit Lange
URGENT: ALL USERS NEED TO CHANGE THEIR PASSWORDS
March 27, 2008
As you can imagine, hundreds of spam bots, commie trash, and worse hit our site every day. Thousands of fake users try to sign up to spam us, argue, or even attempt to hack the site.
Due to a security issue, ALL users of GOE’s National site only need to change their passwords immediately. This is IMPERATIVE. If you do NOT change your password, you will not be able to comment or use the forums, and I will personally delete your name from the user database as a potential security hole.
This is not a fake post, this is not a hack. My name is Kit Lange, I have been the webmaster of GOE since day one, and I stand behind this post. Please go to http://gatheringofeagles.org/wp-login.php and click the “Forgot Password” link to reset your password.
Even if your current password still works (which it may or may not), you need to do this. If you still have concerns, please email me at kit.lange@gatheringofeagles.org and I will personally change your password.
Thank you for your continued support of GOE! Read below for exact directions on how to change your password.
Read more
New Haven, CT Rallies
March 27, 2008
For Immediate Release:
The GATHERING OF EAGLES, a patriotic organization whose goal is to publicly support our men and women in uniform, whether active duty or veteran, announces our whole hearted participation with the New Haven EAGLES UP in an upcoming rally at the Vietnam and Korean War memorial.
The Vietnam and Korean War Memorial Walls in New Haven, CT have been desecrated on three separate occasions. It was claimed to have been done by Illegal Alien gangs including - but not necessarily limited to - the MS-13 criminal gang organization, due to the messages that were scrawled upon the face of these memorials.
We as Americans should never stand for this. These two internet links show the media coverage of this story.
On Saturday, April 5th, Gathering of Eagles will be holding a rally at the War Memorial Park in New Haven, to protest this unspeakable act and to stand up for our fallen heroes.
Read more
Berkeley: Individual With Strong Voice Makes Difference
March 26, 2008
Eagles!
This is the guy who started it all out there in LaLaLand–Berkeley, CA. What a testimony to the Power of One–the mustard seed that exploded into the outpouring of passion abetted by MAF, GOE, Brigade America, and EU in front of the USMC Recruiting Office in downtown Berkeley.
PLEASE read Brian Dennard’s guest column and accompanying letter to the Mayor of Berkeley HERE.
And, if you like, send Bruce Kesler an attaboy for inviting Brian to say his piece. Bruce is a great friend and fan of GOE.
Eagles forever!
Larry Bailey
Buying the Troops Time to Win
March 26, 2008
So, through some good planning, and more than a little dumb luck, we are perfectly situated to support General Petraeus’ testimony on 8 and 9 April and buy the troops some more time to win. We know our brave warriors are winning on all fronts, and we need to let Congress know that we know. We need to let the honorable men and women in Congress know that we are paying attention and are not caught up in the latest installment of American Idol.
On Monday, 7 April 2008, we will gather on the West Lawn of the Capitol at 0900 hrs. We have contacted various members of Congress in hopes of garnering some major media press coverage. That will be what it is. We are not overly hopeful that any major media will cover the event. We are prepared though, to break into teams and hand-deliver a copy of GOE’s position paper to every single member of Congress on 7 April. Our friends at Vets for Freedom will be doing likewise the next day and the VFW will be there at the end of the week. Read more
Peace Protestors Turn Violent–Again
March 24, 2008
In West Chester, PA this past weekend the Peace Activists escalated to violence once again. One of our most ardent photographers/videographers, Skye, was using her video camera on the SE corner of High and Market Streets about Noon on Saturday, March 22nd. This is the corner where the anti-American protesters congregate, and is directly across the street from where we gather. One of the ‘veterans against the war’ took umbrage at being recorded spouting his usual brand of anti-American nonsense, and pushed the camera into Skye’s face, then, in a true example of manliness and honorability, pushed it a second time. This caused the video camera to impact her face and the filming then ends. The video is in our possession and will be made public once the attorneys have had their say. Immediately after the incident several of our people went over to the protesters corner to defend her. Although this caused many voices to be raised angrily, none of our people responded violently.
Read more
