A huge turnout for our rally today. We wore green wristbands as a show of solidarity with the brave protestors in Iran who are being beaten, shot and taken away in the middle of the night because they dare to stand up against the brutal dictator and mullahs that are oppressing those who want freedom.

Military moms Evie (her hero son is an Army Combat medic recently home from Afghanistan), Mary (her hero son is a Marine Officer recently home from Iraq), and Mary Lou (her hero son is serving in Iraq right now) recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Our rallies bring out the best of America.

Youngster Scott shows his love for our troops as he salutes during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner.

Another Military Mom, Maureen (her hero son is a young Army officer, training overseas right now) stands with her friend Marion.

“Uncle Bill” stands in support of his hero nephew who is serving in Iraq right now.

All of us wore green wristbands in the hope it will inspire other Americans to show similar support for the courageous people in Iran. For years American leadership has encouraged the people to rise up against the brutal Ahmadinejad regime, and when they finally do, they got a tardy and weak response from Obama who they were counting on for support. Most distressing is the way the barbarian regime is going after the Iranian women. Shooting them (like Neda). Our hearts are wrenched as we watch them being massacred. The press is unwilling to cover the killings, but we hope our little show of support will bring awareness to the atrocities being committed to those who seek freedom.

This young Army National Guard Private told me “Thanks for being here, your support means a lot”. His name is John and he graduated from Hendersen High School a year ago. His T-shirt says, “BOOTS DON’T MAKE A SOLDIER, A REAL SOLDIER MAKES THE BOOTS.” Hoorah! And “Thank you Private, for your service to our great country – you truly are one of our greatest patriots!”

Thanks to everyone who came out to support our Troops and those who fight for freedom. See you next week.

A little rain did not deter anyone from our weekly “Salute The Troops” rally.  We do it because our troops risk and sacrifice so much for us. We are proud to show them some praise and gratitude each weekend. 

Here is Ron, an Air Force Veteran whose son Greg is in Afghanistan.  Greg went to high school in Downingtown, PA. He graduated from Bishop Shanahan High School in 2003 and attended VMI (Virginia Military Institute) where he played varsity lacrosse and participated in ROTC.  After graduation he became a Marine officer and is currently a 1st Lt.  We are always honored to meet our military families. Please tell Greg we are grateful and proud of him.

Here’s a couple visiting from Bellingham, WA.  Bob served 28 years in the US Navy and his wife Barb graduated from Bishop Shanahan.  They were in town visiting family and were happy to see us showing support for our military.

A couple of Army soldier heroes walked by and took time to say hello.  They both graduated from Coatesville High School in 2006.  They are also friends with “Doc” Kromer, the Army Combat Medic who’s mom and dad (Evie and Bill) are regulars at our rally.  We are always thrilled when we can thank our troops in person.

After the rally, we always recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and say a prayer for our troops protection and success.

Thanks to all who came out in the inclement weather!  We’ll see you next week.

Thank You Troops!  Thank You Military Families!

150 people came out to show support to our flag and troops, especially our soldiers who are in the U.S. Army.  Today is the Army’s 234th Birthay and it’s also Flag Day.  Yesterday we celebrated with an enormous rally and reception complete with Bagpipers, Knights of Columbus Color Corps, Vets, Military Families, and special guests.  Everyone had a fun time at the reception, delicious food, great speeches, and music from DJ Kalaya.

(more photos to come later)

Click here to see Skye’s report and here’s her photos of all the activities.

Click here to see our professional photographer NeoCon’s photos.

See the Daily Local Newspaper coverage here.

Join us tomorrow Saturday June 13th as we honor our Flag and the U.S. Army.

Happy Flag Day and Happy 234th Birthday Army! 

Tomorrow is our chance to show pride for “Old Glory” and the soldiers who fought and died to keep her flying, our U.S. Army – the greatest Army in the world.  The Army bleeds red, white, and blue, they have our hearts and we are proud of their devoted service.  The Flag still stands for freedom.  As our troops keep watch over us, may God watch over them.

*At noon we will sing the National Anthem, recite the Pledge of Allegiance, sing the Army song, and say a prayer for our troops.  Immediately following this we will walk to the Knights of Columbus Hall (a block away) for a reception which includes hot roast beef and meatball sandwiches, beverages, Army cake, patriotic door prizes, and DJ Kalaya.  Our procession to the hall will be lead by bagpipers and the Knights of Columbus Honor Corps.

The reception will go from approx 12:15PM till 3PM, the cost is FREE and donations are gratefully accepted at the door.

We have some special guests including West Chester Mayor Dick Yoder, Chester County Sheriff Bunny Welsh, PA State Representative Curt Schroder and Gathering of Eagles, Executive Director and proud Army veteran Chris Hill.

Please join us tomorrow in West Chester, PA, either outside from 11AM till Noon or at the Knights of Columbus Hall (110 W. Market St) from 12:30PM till 3:00PM.  I found this poem by author unknown.

“Old Glory”

I am the flag of the United States of America.

My name is Old Glory.

I fly atop the world’s tallest buildings.

I stand watch in America’s halls of justice.

I fly majestically over great institutions of learning.

I stand guard with the greatest military power in the world.

Look up and see me!

I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.

I stand for freedom.

I am confident.

I am proud.

When I am flown with my fellow banners, my head is a little higher, my colors a little truer.

I bow to no one.

I am recognized all over the world.

I have fought in every battle of every war for more than 200 years: Gettysburg, Shilo, Appomattox, San Juan Hill, the trenches of Normandy, Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, in the Persian Gulf, and a score of places long forgotten by all but those who were there with me.

I was there!

I led my soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen.

I followed them and watched over them. They loved me.

I was on a small hill in Iwo Jima.

I was dirty, battle-worn and tired.

But my soldiers cheered me!

And I was proud!

I have been soiled, burned, torn, and trampled on the streets of countries that I have helped set free.

It does not hurt – for I am invincible.

I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of my own country, and when it is by those whom I have served with in battle, it hurts – for I am their own.

But I shall overcome.

For I am strong!

I have slipped the bonds of earth and from my vantagepoint on the moon,

I stand watch over the uncharted new frontiers of space.

I have been a silent witness to all of America’s finest hours. But my finest hour comes when I am torn in strips to be used as bandages For healing my wounded comrades on the field of battle; when I fly at half mast to honor my soldiers, my sailors, my airmen, my Marines, and my Coast Guardsmen; and when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving mother, at the graveside of her fallen son or daughter.

I am proud.

My name is “Old Glory” long may I wave, dear God, long may I wave!

In beautiful downtown West Chester, 15 blocks were closed in order to celebrate “Super Sunday”.  The streets were turned into a giant boardwalk without the surf.  It’s a great time to walk around, eat some delicious food and meet old friends and new. I met several military families.

Below is an Army mom named Susan and her brother Joe, who is a veteran and visiting from Alaska.  Susan’s son Stephen is in Iraq with the PA National Guard Unit (the 57th Stryker Brigade).   This is Stephen’s 2nd tour in Iraq.  Susan is great, like all military mom’s she’s worried, but very proud.  She told me that he turned 19 and 23 in Iraq.  I told her that another mother from the 57th Stryker Brigade (Mary Lou) comes to all our “Salute The Troops” rallies on Saturdays.

Dick and Joyce, Dick is a Vietnam Veteran (Welcome Home!) and their son is in the service awaiting orders.

This young man is Garrett, he graduated from Southern Fulton High School (in the western part of PA) and just moved to West Chester.  He told me he’s going to join the Army when he turns 18, which is in 3 days (Jun 9th).   He’s a great guy and one of America’s finest patriots.

Here’s Marine Mom Patty, her son Jeremiah is currently stationed in at the Marine Air Base in Beaufort, SC.  He’s almost finished his 5-year active duty commitment.  He’s an Iraq combat veteran.  When Jeremiah gets out (on July 1st, 2009) he’s going to music school in Orlando, Florida.  Patty told me, “Jeremiah has always wanted to be a music producer and now his dream is coming true.  He’s going to use his GI Bill, and his school will all be paid for!  It’s a two-year program and he’s thrilled.”  I told Patty to make sure he visits us at our “Support the Troops” rally some Saturday – we’d love to meet him, shake his hand, and thank him for the noble job he did.

Air Force Veteran Dee with her daughter Carrie, and 4 grandkids.

Marine Iraq war veteran, Gunny Jenkins, USMC Reserves, and Paula.

Bono was there!

(actually he looks just like Bono, and was kind enough to let me that this picture of him and his girlfriend. I forget his name but he did say he lives in West Chester)

Rich with Frank, our WWII Veteran.

Here’s a police bicycle parked in bike rack.  Notice what he used to lock to the rack (handcuffs – love it).

And finally, here’s a couple.  No, they aren’t arguing, they’re dancing to “Brick House”!

This guy was the most popular person there, all kinds of people kept coming up to him and touching him and telling him how cute he was, especially the ladies.  I think his smiling owner (with the red cap) enjoyed the attention too.  The puppy is a Sharpei, 6-weeks old.

All in all, it was a great day in downtown West Chester.  They will have more similar events throughout the summer (first Thursday of every month), Restuarant Sunday, etc.  So come on out and maybe I’ll see you on the “boardwalk”.   Thanks always to all our military families, they also serve.

Regular Americans from all over came out to “Salute The Troops” on a beautiful day.  We also remembered the 65th Anniversary of D-Day which was the beginning of the end for Hitler, liberated Europe and ended WWII.  At the end of the rally we sang the National Anthem and said a prayer for our troops protection and success.

Thanks to all for coming out and supporting our troops.  They fight and sweat so that we don’t have to.  Thanks also to all our Military Families.  We’ll see you next week in West Chester from 11AM till noon!

(special thanks to Richard for his photos)

A beautiful Saturday and another great turnout and show of support for our Troops as the perform the noblest of causes.  Protecting and defending us 24/7.  Special thanks to Paula for taking these pictures.

Thanks to everyone for coming out.  Thank You Troops!  Thank You Military Families!  See you next Saturday.

Here’s more photos from Fleet Week 2009 in New York City.  These are the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) Amphibious Assault Carrier, carries Marines to shores, called a “Gator Freighter” because it takes Marines from sea to land like an alligator.

Here’s below deck of the Iwo Jima, including the troops, displays, berthing area, crew’s mess, Navy Corpsmen (most beloved by Marines), troops donating blood, and a WWII sailor who said he wanted to reenlist.

Next are photos of the USS Roosevelt (DDG-80 ) a destroyer, posing in front of the ship is a female recruiter, and the USS Rossevelt SOY (Sailor of the Year).

Following are more displays from the Naval Research Laboratory which invents amazing high-tech equipment, including drone aircraft, and the “Swordfish” an underwater drone that takes pictures of problems under the ship.  Posing with the drones are the sailors that operate them.  Also some new technology from NRL including welding that doesn’t need gas or heat.  Plus some ballistic missiles, like the one used to for the satelite intercept in Feb 2008.  The USO was there too.

Next are photos from the Coast Guard ship USCGC Spencer, a Coast Guard ship.  The Spencer has been extremely busy.  Homeported in Boston, they have been fighting druggies, rescuing ships from other countries, and intercepting migrants up and down the east coast.  A Coast Guard Petty Officer told us of a 35-foot vessel that had over 300 Haitians on it that they rescued, took onboard, fed, medical exams, and returned to safety.

Next are pictures as I headed downtown, including this first one showing a female MP with a Special Agent at the pier, followed by photos of troops downtown.

In an Irish pub with sailors JB and Rick.  We met a Swiss Army soldier who had just returned from 8 months in Afghanistan.  He and his fiance partied with us for a good while.

Here’s a soldier wearing a beret.   I asked him what service he was in and he said “I’m a British Royal Marine” and I said, “Are you an officer?” and he said, “No, I’m a Marine”.

Later I got to spend some time with Pamela Geller (Atlas Shrugs).  She’s a very good friend of the Sheepdogs and our Victory Movement and told me to tell everyone “You are all doing a great job supporting our troops in West Chester.”

Finally, is a photo of Jean and her Marine husband Jerry.  Jerry is the CO of Bridge Company B which is getting ready to deploy to Iraq.  They had a barbeque at their home in New Jersey.  We will be thinking of Jerry and all his Marines as they prepare to go into harm’s way to keep us safe at home.

I wish everyone could experience Fleet Week.  It really makes you appreciate all the skill, training, courage, and patriotism that our troops have.  They truly are America’s heroes and deserve all our thanks and praise.

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance. A day to remember all those who have died in our nation’s service. It is also a day for all of us to give thanks and offer prayers for all of the brave men and women who have recognized that “Service is Self.” The men and women of our military are the very best our country has to offer. Their selfless service to the United States and to it’s people is a shining beacon for each of us.

Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together as a nation to honor those who gave their all. It is a day to reflect on the sacrifices made by so many brave Americans – Americans like Michael Monsoor, A Navy Seal, who was awarded the Medal of Honor. Michael Monsoor died on September 29, 2006, while serving in Iraq. Michael was providing cover to an Army unit when a grenade hit him in the chest. He dived on it, saving the lives of two others. As President Bush said in awarding Michael’s parents his Medal of Honor, “He had a clear chance to escape, but in his mind, it was not a choice at all.” Michael understood that Service to one’s Country is the highest calling. As we remember all of those who have died in service to America, let us also say a prayer for those still in harm’s way.

I often think, as we come together to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country, of the famous poem, “In Flanders Field”.

“Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.”

Let us pledge on this sacred day to never break faith with those who have died.