Support Our Troops Rally 3/29/2003
"Outpost 122"
Camp Murray, south of Tacoma, WA
March 29th, 2003
Washingtonian members of FreeRepublic (http://www.FreeRepublic.com) joined
many other Pacific Northwesterners in the latest of ongoing rallies of Operation
Support Our Troops (http://www.ron-siddell.com
). This time it was held at "Outpost 122", the popular name for the
entrance to Camp Murray at Exit 122 from I-5, south of Tacoma.
The rally was scheduled for 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, but as usual it got off
to an early start. Those driving in from the north got a hint of what
was coming as rally-goers appeared on a number of overpasses approaching
Outpost 122. At 10:20 AM, the rally was already well underway:
Walking in after parking their cars, rally-goers passed a booth set up
by KVI (570 AM), with morning talk show host Kirby Wilbur broadcasting live
from the rally, 10 AM to 2 PM.
When they reached the bridge, it was solid crowds.
And there could be no mistake by those passing through on the freeway
what was happening above.People (well-behaved, by the hundreds
and thousands), American flags, service flags, South Vietnamese flags (yellow
with red stripes) , signs and banners. This is a rally to Support Our Troops
!
A group of 200 or 300 motorcyclists passed through the rally early on,
in a big show of support. Such is the utility of the Internet, the
preparations for the ride began with a single e-mail suggestion. Some
stayed on for the rally.
A steady stream of cars passed through the rally on the overpass. Many
were on their way to join the rally. Others were entering or leaving
the base -- and some of those were in tears, seeing the support gathered
outside. Some held their cellphones out the window to pass on the sounds
from the rally. And many waved, honked, flashed their lights, or yelled
to say," Thank you!"
Some people were proud to note their sons and daughters currently serving
in the Armed Forces. Knowing the risks their sons and daughters are
undergoing in the defense of of liberty, we should all say to them, "Thank
you!"And pray for the safe return home of each and every one
of those sons and daughters.
Pictured in the signs below are Captain Jesse Chaquette, who is currently
at Fort Lewis, and 1st Lieutenant Ryan Chaquette, who is at Fort Carson,
CO, and who has received his orders to depart for the Middle East on
<mmmmmmmph!>..
It is always interesting to see the great variety of folks who turn out
at these rallies, a true cross-section of true Americans -- whether American-born
or not! We lead off here with FreeRepublic's own Libertina.
A couple of Highland Pipers showed up in uniform with their Scottish breathalyzer
kits. (Bagpipe joke time: Q: "Why are pipers always marching
to and fro?" A: "It's harder to hit a moving target.") Glé mhath,
guys!
And a man in a kilt always draws the ladies' eyes. Click on the picture to hear the piper, and the sounds of
the rally. (Warning: 243k MP3
file.)
Most precious, of course, are the children.
And where you find children, of course, you'll find the good old all-American
ice-cream man. Yum!
With good weather, friendly folks, kids and an ice-cream man, the rally
took on more of a tone of celebration. People brought chairs and coolers,
and soon many were sprawled across the grass as if this were a picnic. Well,
why not?
But this was a rally, and at such a rally you will find a plethora
of signs, expressing a broad range of opinions. This rally was no different.
In no particular order, some of those are presented here.
There was, as always, a banner to be signed by those present and then sent
to the troops. The "Wall of Honor", present at other Support Our Troops
Rallies, was also present.
An all-American Support Our Troops rally would not be complete without
flags. And were there ever flags there!
Red, White and Blue were everywhere. Somebody even put a red-white-and-blue
bow on the crosswalk button!
There also flags celebrating other members of the Coalition as a reminder
that we are not in this alone, we are not acting unilaterally.
![[You make us proud.] [You keep us free]](signs-you.jpg)
![[let freedom ring][shame on baghdad mcdermott]](signs-shame.jpg)
