Fun rally, many new faces, vets, and military family members came out and stood tall showing public affection for our brave troops and their noble missions. Thanks to all who came out and made it happen.

A terrific rally, great weather and happy patriots formed a magnificent wall of red, white, and blue.

Today’s highlight was a visit from a local Marine named Erin, she graduated from Downingtown High School and has been a Marine for five years. She held the flag for us while we sang the National Anthem.

She’s a sargeant, has been to Iraq and is currently training at Camp Lejeune for a tour in Afghanistan. She came with her Aunt Mary and her friend Laurie.

(will add more pictures later)

Another strong patriotic display of public pride and support for our troops, their noble mission, and our country.

Nick held the flag for us as we sang the Star Spangled Banner and prayed for our troops protection and success.

There was an empty spot up front, where Frank McDermott, our WWII Veteran always was. Frank was an inspiration to all of us. Now he’s smiling at us from heaven and will always be in our hearts.

We received a nice sympathy card from a lady named Andi, who is a member of the Chester County Peace Movement. She wrote a thoughtful message about Frank. Andi has a son named Christopher in the Air Force who has been in the service for over 20 years and he’s currently serving in Iraq. All of us appreciate Andi’s kindness and will keep her son in our thoughts and prayers.

Lots of smiles and tears today as we bid “Fair winds and following seas” to Marine parents Mary and Mark Wilson. They are moving to Arizona. They will be deeply missed by all the sheepdogs, especially by the Military Moms, they are a very closeknit group.

The best part of every rally is at noon, when we all gather together and sing the Star Spangled Banner in honor of all our troops. Mark and Mary held the flag for us and Mary moved behind her husband to hide the tears.

John, a high school senior, presented Mary with a bouquet of flowers and received one of Mary’s famous hugs. Then John’s mom and dad sang a song of farewell to Mary.

Mark has been a role model military father, quiet strength is his trademark. We’ll all miss the dignified way he carried himself, whether standing on the corner with us or riding his motorcycle with the Warriors Watch Riders. He always has a strong shoulder for his wife to lean on as their son leads Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mike and his two kids always brighten our rallies with their patriotic outfits and happy faces.

Dogs and Vietnam Veterans like Bob are popular too.

One of the highlights was when a wedding party came over to our corner, turns out the groom was a Marine! He had 2 tours in Iraq. We thanked him for his service and wish him and his bride a long life of love, happiness, and success. Semper Fi!

We all signed a poster for Mary and Mark, containing a collage of pictures from rallies past.

We always say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and then a prayer for our troops protection and success.

Mary, Mark, Edward, James, and 1st Lt Grant – we will miss you a lot.

God blessed us when we met and became friends.

You are great ambassadors of the Marine Corps, someone we can all look up to. You will always be in our hearts and with us in spirit.

One-hundred degree heat does not deter patriotic Americans from standing up for our troops, our heroes. We had another large turnout, many newcomers, and even some troops!

Mary and Mark held the flag for us as we sang the National Anthem. Their son Grant is a young US Marine Officer, currently on his 2nd combat tour in Afghanistan.

One of our highlights was Fred, a US Marine and current member of the PA National Guard, the Stryker Brigade, was walking by and took a moment to say “Thanks, we love this kind of support”. Fred poses with 20-year Marine Ray (L) and Jim, a Marine Vietnam Veteran says, “Semper Fi”.

Frank, our WWII Vet, has been coming out to the corner every Saturday for 2 years, he comes in his scooter never misses a rally. Frank will be in our prayers this week. He is going to Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia for surgery on his recently discovered cancer. Frank says, “I will be back! And soon!” His proud daughter, Mary Ann, took a lot of pictures and video of her hero father. Frank served with a tank unit during the Battle of the Bulge.

A lot of kids took time out from their summers to show how much they appreciate our troops, our flag, and our country.

Another highlight was Don, a WWII vet who stopped by to say hello. He’s 90 years young, still has a spark in his eye and great sense of humor. He was an Army Infantryman and fought in the Pacific. Thanks to heroes like Don and Frank, we were able to achieve victory and win WWII. They are always the first ones to say, “The real heroes never came home.” Don told us he had a lawn mower accident when he was six-years old. He cut off half his index finger (see in picture). He didn’t think the Army would want him but he was told, “You can use your other finger!” And Don said, “I did it and I was a pretty good shot too.”

One of our many other newcomers was Charley (below L), he’s an Army veteran – Airborne “All the way!” He was very impressed with our rally, “You guys do an amazing job here.” he said.

We have a lot of military moms, dads and family members, vets past and present, regular patriotic citizens and families, and many Vietnam Vets like Jim (Marines), James (Army Ranger), Bud (Air Force), Richard (Army) and many others who come on a regular basis.

Mary and Mark (below) will be leaving us soon. They’ll be moving to Texas or Phoenix, Arizona. Next Saturday will be their last rally with us here in West Chester, PA. Try to come next week and say “See you later” to these popular Marine parents.

Thanks again to all who defied the sun and heat. Our rallies are like a big country fair, lots of smiles, fun, and patriotism. We enjoy our summers because our troops, past and present, give up theirs.

Thank You Troops! May God bless you and your families, protect you, and guide you to victory.

Huge turnout of patriots came to West Chester to show public support for our troops and country. Our wall of red, white, and blue looked magnificent.

Special welcome to a bunch of newcomers. Lou, Ann Marie, Gene, Len, Robert, and a guy from Ft Monmouth, Deborah, Debbie, Jeff, and especially Betsy – proud mother of a Marine, her son is in Bahrain right now. Betsy held the flag for us as we sang the National Anthem and said the Lord’s Prayer for our troops and country.

We had a very heavy heart as we remembered Sgt Louis Fastuca, an Army Airborne Special Forces hero who was killed in Afghanistan on July 5, 2010. Our hearts and prayers are with the family of Louis Fastuca, we will never forget or waste his sacrifice. He paid the ultimate price, its a tremendous loss for his loved ones. Freedom is not Free.

Len, a friend of Louis Fastuca’s father and member of the same church (Saints Peter and Paul) told us a story of his toast with Louis when he was home on leave, not too long ago. Len ran into Louis at “Appetizers” in Exton. Louis told Len that he wanted to have a toast to his Sargeant Major. Louis said, “The Sargeant Major died in my arms after being shot several times.” Ironically he said, “He’s the reason I’m alive today, he taught me how to be a combat soldier.” Then they drank a shot of Jamison’s together. Just a few days later Louis was back in Afghanistan and died from an IED on July 5th. Len said he went back to Appetizers and had a shot of Jamison in honor of Louis.

Special thanks to the three Blue Star Moms who came today – Maureen, Nini, and Betsy – all have sons in harm’s way. The Military Moms are the best and we are always happy when they can join us. They love our rallies because they know they are surrounded by patriotic Americans who understand and appreciate what they go through every day.

Our soldiers step into a battle zone, we step out of our comfort zone. As our troops fight the fight for freedom, they are not alone. May God bless them and their families, protect them, and guide us all to victory over evil.
THANK YOU TROOPS! THANK YOU MILITARY FAMILIES!

Congratulations to the Independence Hall Tea Party Association for organizing an outstanding Tea Party yesterday.

It was a great Tea Party, fun and educational, saw many friends and made new ones.

Happy 4th of July. We take time to remember that we have over 200,000 troops in harm’s way. They give up their summers and holidays so that we can enjoy ours. A huge turnout of regular Americans came to show our military and their families how much we appreciate their sacrifices.

We were joined yesterday by Gold Star Mom Helene Eissler, her son Freddy was a Midshipman at the US Naval Academy when he passed in Nov 2008. Standing next to Helene are 5 Blue Star Moms. Evie (son Jon is an Army Medic, Afghanistan Combat Vet), Nina (son Brian is in the Army, currently in Iraq), Mary Lou (son Matt is in the National Guard, Iraq Combat Vet), JoAnne (son Greg is a Marine Officer, Afghanistan Combat Vet) and Mary (son Grant is a Marine Officer, Iraq Combat Vet and currently in Afghanistan). We have a lot of military family members who stand with us every weekend.

Thanks to everyone for taking time to show public support and thanks to all our troops and their families. We stand behind those who stand up for us. May God bless them, protect them, and guide them to victory.

Hundreds of motorcycles rode into West Chester to join our victory rally on Saturday.
Just before 11AM, the bikers arrived at the corner thrilling the cheering crowd of patriots standing in support of our troops. After riding around the block, they parked their bikes and stood with us.

Happy Fathers Day to all our dads and especially to troops who are fathers and fathers of military members. Our Troops give up their summers so that we can enjoy ours. We are proud to stand outside together and show public support and gratitude for all our brave men and women in uniform.

Our World War II Veteran, Frank, wasn’t at the rally because he is in the hospital. His daughter Mary Ann came to tell us the sad news, and took his place in the center of the group photo and held the flag for us as we sang the Star Spangled Banner and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.

Frank will be in our thoughts and prayers and we hope he will rejoin us soon.

Mary Ann passed the “Support Our Troops” coin from her father to Sheriff Bunny Welsh. The Sheriff is a good friend and supporter of our victory movement, she oftens comes to our rallies and events and her presence always adds to the fun.

Below are six of our Military Moms, also known as Blue Star Moms. From L to R, Evie of Coatesville (son Jon is an Army Medic, Afghanistan combat veteran), Mary Lou of West Chester (son Matt is in the Army, 13-year veteran, Iraq combat veteran), Nini of Downingtown (son is in the Air Force, currently in Iraq), Maureen of West Chester (son John Paul is an Army Officer, currently serving in Afghanistan), Mary of West Chester (son Grant is a Marine Officer, Iraq combat veteran, currently in Afghanistan), and Faith of West Chester (son-in-law is in the Air Force, currently in Iraq, we learned yesterday that he lost his thumb when a 700 pound drum fell on it).

Summer brought her 2 grandkids, are rallies are family events and we are always happy when the children show up.
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Above, Mary informs us how to send messages to our troops via the military’s email system, it allows messages to get to them in a couple days, instead of a couple weeks. Letters to the troops is one of the best ways we can boost their morale. Thanks Mary!

Thanks to all our brave soldiers, sailors, airmen, guardsmen, and Marines, may God bless you, protect you, and guide you victory. We love you and we will not let your sacrifices go to waste. We enjoy our freedoms, because of you.