Vets for Freedom Rally for troops
About 480 veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan assembled beginning at 8:30 this morning just across the street from the Senate wing of the Capitol. The temperature was about 45 degrees - global warming had struck. In their sand colored polo shirts, emblazoned across their broad chests with “Vets for Freedom”, they renewed old friendships and established new ones.
There was a blogger or two there, too - most visible was the guy who’s hard to recognize without his cap;
They were joined by some luminaries of the Senate;
(Senator Lieberman slapped me on the back after I took this picture)
And honest-to-goodness war heroes (SSG David Bellavia pictured);
Pete Hegseth started the speechifying;
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SSG Bellavia followed Hegseth;
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Senator McCain addressed the veterans;
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Then it was Senator Lieberman’s turn;
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Each Senator took their turn (Uncle Jimbo from Blackfive asked me “Is there anyone left in the Senate or are they all out here?”) Including the only member of the Senate who actually served as a soldier in Iraq, Lindsey Graham (it’s a good thing Crotchety Old Bastard wasn’t there);
Sam Johnson (R-TX), former POW (thanks to Punditarian for IDing him for me), took his hat off to the vets assembled this morning;
Congressman Zach Wamp quoted John Stuart Mill;
“War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.”
Jeff Sessions spoke about victory being imperative in Iraq;
LTC Steve Russell addressed what Americans can do to support the efforts in the war.
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The media actually showed up for this rally, to their credit;
They actually seemed interested in what the veterans had to say (notice Uncle Jimbo doing another interview in the upper right corner of this picture - or maybe he’s doing another Free Fly);
Speeches over, interviews concluded, these veterans set out on one more mission - to tell the Senate how much this war means to America.
These veterans are the polar-opposite of the folks I met at IVAW last month. There was not a selfish bone in the crowd. They fought for their country and their families and now they’re fighting for their friends who can’t speak for themselves. They battled the odds, they battled the uncivilized enemy and now they battle doubt and emotional knee-jerk politicians.
While I was working on this blog post, the stark comparison between the ideological sides was illustrated for me when (on my TV) some Leftist goober jumped up during General Petreaus’ testimony and shouted “Bring them home!” as he was dragged from the room and pink anti-war signs blocked the cameras. Where would those imbeciles be without a war to protest?
And I found a new drinking buddy;
Welcome readers and thank you, bloggers from Blackfive, Gateway Pundit, Little Green Footballs, The Jawa Report, Civilian Irregular Information Defense Group, 9-11 Families, Infidels Are Cool, Dusseldorf Blog, Buttle’s World and (last, but certainly not least) Baldilocks.
UPDATED for Identifying speakers - I need a secretary, Thus Spake Ortner won’t last forever.
April 8th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Excellent, thank you!
April 8th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Vets For Freedom Rally on Capitol Hill…
Over at This Ain’t Hell, But You Can See It From Here, Jonn Lilyea has photos and movies of the VFF rally this morning, complete with the US Senate in attendance…along with a somewhat popular blogger……
April 8th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Wonderful to see this.
Great report.
April 8th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Rally For Petraeus and Crocker…
In Washington DC, Veterans for Freedom put forth a fine display in support of General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker. Check out ‘This Ain’t Hell’ for some excellent photos, to include Blackfive’s Uncle Jimbo and TAH’s Jonn Lilyea. Now that’s how…
April 8th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Great post.
April 8th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Excellent report.
April 8th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
I can’t view the pictures or videos here at work but I am so glad somebody covered this event. Sure won’t see it on the tv, so as soon as I get home and get on a computer with out all of this web blocking stuff I will be sure to come back and check it out.
There has been an almost total news media black out on the National Heroes Tour, and what little publicity it did get came from them getting kicked out of a HS in MN.
To everybody who could make it to DC to show your support a big Hooah.
Thanks, John
April 8th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
[...] What subtle differences can you find between this rally and this one? [...]
April 8th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Rurik posts and links his appreciation at http://veteranamerican.info/?p=208
This is an impotant, and historic event, and we are privileged to see it before the MSM distorts it.
April 8th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
The fellow in the black hat looks a lot like Representative Sam Johnson (R-Texas) who spent 7 years as a guest at the Hanoi Hilton.
April 8th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Jonn, thank you so much … been trying to listen to C-Span here at work but haven’t been able to keep up.
Go VETS!!!
April 8th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Thank you so much. I would have loved to have been there. Visiting this site lets me feel like I was there.
April 8th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
[...] post from ThisAin’tHell on the rally by the troops of Vets For Freedom for General Patraeus in his lead up to appearing [...]
April 8th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Wish I could have been there.
April 8th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Great work, we all need to redouble our efforts to secure victory at home..
April 8th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
A proud American grateful for the opportunity to thank a veteran…even if it’s just in this talk-back. Your service is heads above admirable & a testament to the purposeful life one can chose to actualize. Certain the majority of Americans would openly support you, too, if the Washington politicos would courageously define the true enemy as the imperialist Islamo-fascists bent on attacking our liberties instead of resorting to the amorphous terminology of the war on terror.
April 8th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Which I could have been there to support my fellow brothers today. My sincerest thanks to all who were there (and kudos to the Senators and Congressman who rolled out to thank them personally — was there a Hillary or Obama sighting?)
April 8th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
[...] John Lilyea has video and pictures from the Veterans for Freedom rally this morning. They had 480 Veterans with VFF according to John Lilyea. Check it out. [...]
April 8th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Superb! What a wonderful event and group of people!
THANKS so much for covering this for us.
April 8th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Great report, thanks. BTW the quote’s authour correct name is John Stuart Mill.
April 8th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Thanks for getting the pictures so quickly. Wish I could have been there. We are so proud of these warriors, who just keep serving.
LET THE MILITARY FINISH THE JOB ! ! !
April 8th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
‘Vets for Freedom’ rally for troops on Capitol Hill…
Since this involves vets who actually support the troops & their mission, I’m pretty sure this even will easily slip down the MSM memory hole. But I’m just silly that way. Check out TAHBYCSIFH. He has all the pics, vids & words. …
April 8th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Great job, And thanks for being there. It’s all GOOD! Hooah!
April 8th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
How appropriate that VFF and General Petraeus/Ambassador Crocker are in DC the same day that PO2 (SEAL) Michael Monsoor receives the Congressional Medal of Honor!
Thanks Uncle Jim for doing this for all of us!
April 8th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
[...] from This aint Hell, but you can see it from here, with said theft aided and abetted by War Lord [...]
April 8th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Thanks for covering this “Gathering of Eagles”. This is one old vet who is proud as hell of these American Heroes.
April 8th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Excellent job! Thank you!
April 8th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
[...] is the link for photos and videos of the goin’s on … yes Uncle Jimbo is there [...]
April 8th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
God Bless these veterans and God Bless America.
Rev. Wright, don’t let the door hit on the way out of America. Which country will Rev. Wright relocate to?
April 8th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
“Including the only member of the Senate who actually served as a soldier in Iraq, Lindsey Graham”
It’s just too damn bad that Graham was in Iraq as a JAG officer, defining the rules of engagement rather then as a Platoon Leader or Company Commander of grunts.
Was he in Iraq by chance when Haditha broke in the news?
April 8th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Thank you for posting this. The MSM seem to be allergic to actual heros.
April 8th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
I no longer like you, and you are worse than hitler, since you posted a picture of me (look above top Jimbo pic) and didn’t even come and say hello.
April 8th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
[...] Lilyea offers us a photographic compare and [...]
April 8th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Thank you!
April 8th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Oh- And the congressman you missed his name is Zack Wamp of Tn.
April 8th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
“One veteran addressed….”
LTC Steve Russell, BC of the batt that got Saddam.
April 8th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Jonn - just looking at the pics and listening to the videos brought tears to my eyes and gave me chill bumps. What an incredible turn-out! It just makes me so proud! Thank you so so much for doing this and everything else you have done in support of the troops. I love ya Man!
TSO - which one are you?
Jonn wrote: Robin, TSO is in the picture of the folks on stage, he’s on the far left. But apparently he hates me now. I’ve done the same thing to Michele Malkin and Christopher Hitchens - taken their pictures and not noticed until I got home. I’m cursed with an artist’s focus, I guess.
April 8th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
God Bless you all and thank you not only for your service to this nation in such great honor.
But for what you do in bringing these photos to the light.
I cant tell you how proud i was to sit and view/watch these and GET TO HEAR THE RIGHT SIDE rather than those scumbag COde Pink traitors.
Bless ya! And God Bless AMERICA!
Jonn wrote: Thanks for all of your kind words. That’s why I blog - to bring you the pictures and videos so you can make up your own minds. So far, I’ve more than quadrupled the attendance at the rally by posting these thanks to all of the great bloggers who’ve linked here thinking it was important that ya’all see my work too.
April 8th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Great job Jonn. Thanks.
April 8th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Jonn - I did a little compare and contrast using your pics from today’s rally.
A Tale of Two Veterans’ Groups
http://chickenhawkexpress.blogspot.com/2008/04/tale-of-two-veterans-groups.html
Jonn wrote: Great job, Robin. Everyone should take a look at that.
April 8th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
I am jealous - you were in the company of heroes while I was in the company of Mickey Mouse. Thanks for posting the videos and photos, Jonn.
480 ish? Great!! I don’t recall how many showed up for the IVAW group hug last month.
April 8th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
[...] What an appropriate title for a blog that supports our troops (This Ain’t Hell, But You can See it From Here). John posted pictures and videos from an amazing event from today. [...]
April 8th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Skye- 125 of the IVAW congregated in the largest gathering of miscreants ever seen. You’ll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villany.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
That was funny when that dude said you can keep your damn Tiger Woods, We got John McCain! Thank God for our troops and thank God that our troops know who we need to vote for and why.
Irish American and Christian
April 8th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Another great job! Thanks again, John!
April 8th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Thanks for such a fine post.
April 8th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
God bless you all! Thanks for covering this!
April 8th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Nice job posting all the events of today. We’ve been looking for coverage, and found you through Blackfive. We are so proud of our Vets for Freedom, and look forward to seeing what they’ll do next in support of the war and those who fight it.
Bellavia slated to be on my radio program with a round up on Sunday April 20th. Details at my site (http://Radiopatriot.blogspot.com)
Thanks for a great post. Wish we could have been there.
Andrea
The Radio Patriot
April 8th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Thanks so much for taking the pics and video in order to share the event with us. I’m so sorry that this kind of effort has been necessary, but once again our veterans impress and inspire.
Hopefully the Hill was watching and listening.
April 8th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
I got home from this event just before 2300 EST. I tried to find some coverage of this on the news but saw nothing on CNN, MSNBC, or FOXNEWS. They might have covered some of our rally earlier in the day but nothing was said tonight - of course, the idiot who interrupted GEN Petraeus got covered on all channels.
April 9th, 2008 at 12:16 am
All I can say is I am PROUD of you all! Wish I was there!
April 9th, 2008 at 1:34 am
this is a fabulous! I sure wish we could have been there… Hooah to VFF for staying the course… and getting this done!
FINISH THE MISSION!
April 9th, 2008 at 6:25 am
Great job & thanks to those vets for standing up for America again. I am behind you 100%. EAGLES ALL THE WAY
April 9th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Thank you so much! Thank you VFF, thank you Troops and Vets! I wish I could have been there!
April 9th, 2008 at 8:10 am
[...] and Congressmen gathered to support the men and women of the armed forces deployed overseas. Photos and video here. I guess there are a scant few non-keyboard warriors in favor of completing the overall missions in [...]
April 9th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Just a very proud Mom of a great son that has served his time protecting this country and the great people in it. Good job, Son ! ! !
Jonn wrote: Thanks, Mom. Love ya.
April 9th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Also Robin, if you look at the picture of Sam Johnson, that is my idiotic smiling face in the background there.
For some reason I looked mentally diminished yesterday.
April 9th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Well, I certainly owe both Jonn and TSO an apology. I walked by Jonn at least twice that I remember and did not recognize him. I did find CJ and Uncle Jimbo though. It was a good day Tuesday and a good day Monday, when Gathering of Eagles di the same thing. We hit 437 Congressional offices Monday morning.
If Congress doesn’t get the message, they’re all brain dead.
Oh wait..thats redundant in certain cases.
April 9th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Outstanding job. Just think what we could do if we could get all of the veteran and patriot groups to stand as one and work for that end.
April 9th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Bravo to Vets For Freedom!
John McCain knows what you have been through and supports you.
You can support him at: http://Vets4McCain.com
Sign the Roll Call and Comment.
O. P. Ditch
Col USAF (ret)
April 9th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Great coverage, better than anything our MSM “betters” could have produced.
I even show up in one of the photos — how cool is that — I was directly in front of the speakers. I didn’t get any shots anywhere near as good as you did, moving around for better photo angles. (I hope to have some up later today.)
I noticed you there, but I mistook you for CJ Grisham! I’ll have to introduce myself next time.
Jonn wrote: Thanks for the compliments. Yes, please introduce yourself next time.
April 9th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Same hold for me once battle buddy now stranger? *sob*
Jonn wrote: Sob? Are you sure you have a CIB?
April 9th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Good job with pictures and videos! Keep up the good work!
April 9th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Excellent coverage! It’s good to see some patriots are still out there fighting the good fight. Too bad Old Media didn’t think this was worth covering.
April 9th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Vets4Freedom, Gen. Petraeus, and USN Monsoor MOH…
Vets For Freedom was covered by many bloggers, but I have one the best posts which has the speeches, many pics, and witty humor. I also have the transcript prior to Gen. Petraeus’ meeting with the goons. Let us not forgot forget, EVER, US Navy SEAL …..
April 9th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Thanks for this great report, and thanks to the VFF for taking on this new fight.
No end but victory.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Awesome effort, so nice to see.
Congrats to the folks able (and willing) to Stand Up in DC. Makes me feel better about being 3000mi out of position.
April 9th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
I was proud to have been a part of this event. I am from NE Indiana. Vet’s For Freedom made a difference. We stand behind our Troops, and Military. Let’s keep it up and continue to let those that servre know that we support VICTORY. Let’s continue to attend these type of events, and any local events that are local to your area so that our Troops know that we appreciate them.
April 9th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Thank god somebody covered this. I have been proudly serving for almost a year now and am glad we got some good media coverage. SEMPER FIDELIS
Jonn wrote: Yeah, I wondered about all of the press people I saw at the rally so I did a Yahoo news search and came up with 16 pictures and no news stories about the rally in DC. One news story was about Lieberman’s website crashing in 2006 and they used a captioned photo from the rally yesterday for the article. I guess all that media were there in case McCain fell off the stage or picked his nose or something.
But thank you for your service and know that there are thousands, no millions, of us out here that support you and the job you’re doing - we just can’t get a word in edgewise.
April 9th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Damn, I wish I could have been there! But I had a LONG national Guard drill this past weekend, otherwise I would have taken the VFF up on their offer for a free trip to DC!
Sounds like my brothers and sisters had a great time!
I’ll be attending a VFF Function in the Boston area next month, so maybe I’ll see some Boston-area VFF folks then!
April 9th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
I’m so proud of these guys, and even more thankful for them. Thank you for covering it.
April 10th, 2008 at 1:50 am
Thanks for covering our event!
April 10th, 2008 at 11:37 am
I was able to make the trip to DC once again and I came away very impressed with the fact that VFF is growing and the word is getting out. We had twice as many Veterans in attendance than in September and I venture to say that we will top this number at the next rally.
The feeling I had standing in the crowd was one of electricity and committment. When we broke ranks after the rally, you could see and feel the determination of every Veteran to make a difference here at home. Thanks to my fellow Veterans for making a stand and supporting those still in the fight. God Bless the U.S.A.!
April 10th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Vets on The Hill…
…
April 11th, 2008 at 6:22 am
Friday Firepower - Aw Jeez Edition…
…
April 11th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Words alone can not convey my appreciation, for the VFF and your efforts to make the event, photos and videos, and the posting here, for all to view.
Thanks.
April 12th, 2008 at 8:52 am
It was a distinct honor to stand side by side with my Vets for Freedom brothers and sisters. We enjoyed meeting congressional supporters and informing the congressional doubters. I can tell there is progress, because the liberal talking points have shifted. The Surge progress is undeniable, even by the anti-war contingent. VFF had more than 500 meetings with congressional representatives or staff on Tuesday. We are making a difference. I invite all to visit the Take Action page at vetsforfreedom.org and utilize the letter-to-editor function. Make your important voices heard!
April 12th, 2008 at 9:53 am
[...] John Lilyea of This Ain’t Hell has wonderful photos and videos of the speakers here. [...]
April 15th, 2008 at 8:19 am
[...] 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.) [...]
April 17th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Shame on the major media for not covering this wonderful event. God bless all our troops and their families!
August 31st, 2008 at 9:40 pm
[...] not await the nightly news to have the event spun and censored for us by the LSM. You can see it now , with lots of action photos. Starring the legendary John Himself, the equally legendary Uncle Jimbo [...]