ROLLING THUNDER XXI - Washington DC - May 23-25, 2008

Rolling Thunder Schedule

Run For The Wall - In Colorado May 17

The Central Route of the Run For The Wall, will be coming through Colorado on Saturday May 17th. From their itinerary:

                       eta
[A] Eagles Nest NM      8:00 am
[B] Raton NM           10:00 am
[C] Trinidad CO        11:15 am
 - parade down Main St (Hwy 350)
[D] La Junta CO        12:45 am
[E] Limon CO            3:45 pm
- parade through Limon
[F] Burlington CO       5:30 pm

Patriot Guard Riders to be posted on two I-70 overpass between Limon and Burlington.

ROLLING THUNDER 2008 - Run For The Wall

FLYING THUNDER 2008 - Flight To The Wall

Wings & Rotors Air Museum’s four combat-certified, Vietnam era helicopters will escort over 300,000 motorcycle riders from California to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC on the annual Memorial Day Rolling Thunder’s “Ride to the Wall 2008.”

Every Memorial Day Weekend for 20 years, motorcycle riders from every corner of the country have converged on Washington, DC at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, better known as ‘The Wall.’ The numbers have risen, currently reaching many hundreds of thousands riders. They will be joined along the route by Wings & Rotors Air Museum’s historic Vietnam era helicopters.

For the first time in the history of the ‘Ride,’ four restored, fully operational and combat-certified Vietnam era helicopters – three UH-1 “Hueys’ and an OH-58 Kiowa – will fly along with the riders, making layovers along the way at Vietnam Memorials and other Veterans’ memorial sites. The ceremonial stops will be made on both the eastern and western legs of the flight.

Departing California on May 14, 2008, the trip will take riders and helicopters across America on several routes which include both cities and small towns along the way who will sponsor special ceremonies and remembrances. The riders and helicopters will arrive in Washington, DC for Memorial Day Weekend and the ceremonies at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the Mall.

The motorcycles riders and helicopters will take several routes to Washington, DC, stopping in communities along the way that have either Vietnam Memorials or other Veteran remembrances. The cities will also host riders and provide housing, meals and fuel, in what has become a tradition over the years of ‘the Ride to the Wall.’ Communities will also seek out local Vietnam veterans to attend these functions.

The annual Rolling Thunder Ride to the Wall takes place to coincide with Memorial Day Weekend. Motorcycles riders from every corner of the country ride to support veterans and their families and to honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA) from all wars. Most importantly, they ride to keep the issue of accounting for all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA) within the public’s continued awareness.

Dave Hollenbeck

“The Society of Mount KIA/MIA” Dedication of MOUNT KIA/MIA

mtkiamia.com

THE SOCIETY OF MOUNT KIA/MIA
(Copyright 2007, The Society of Mount KIA/MIA,
GRAPHIC, LOGO and/or TRADEMARK)

             Mount KIA/MIA is named in honor of all those “Killed in Action” and/or “Missing In Action” in all of America’s wars.  The sound, KIA/MIA, is a meaningful utterance in the Ute language when a place-name suffix is added to it, such as in Kiya’-miya-vat.  The verb stem kiya means, “To play,” or “to laugh” in the Ute language.  The verb stem miya means, “to walk around” (plural form) or “to do something while walking about” (plural form).  The meaning of such a sound in the Ute language is then, “place where people walk about playing,” or “place where people walk about laughing.”  Thus it is, KIA/MIA (as in Kiya’-miya-vat) is an appropriate name for a mountain in Colorado that honors all veterans.  A warrior, once departed, crosses to “the other side,” a place often described as one where a person may walk about in peace, without care, happy; in other words, “A place where people walk about laughing.”

            When Native Americans honor their warriors it is in a different sort of mind set from how other cultures honor their warriors.  It is said by Native Americans that, “America honors their veterans three days a year; Native Americans honor their warriors every time they meet.”  And when most American’s think of their veterans, they associate them with a war or conflict.  America almost seems to place the value of a veteran’s sacrifice on the conflict of the war he fought.  Military units themselves seem to associate the value of the veteran with the unit he fought in.  A veteran’s honor and prestige is recognized more for the battle they fought in, the cause and the unit, rather than recognizing them as individuals and with any understanding of what it requires personally of an individual to give, take and lose ones life in war.  Most warriors would agree that losing ones life is a very personal process rather than a collective event.  It is very personal to the warrior’s family as well.  It is the individual warrior’s sacrifice and spirit, born and tested on the battlefield of war, that is honored in memorializing America’s KIA and MIA at Mount KIA/MIA and it is a place where the spirit of America’s warriors can be brought to rest happily in peace at the top of our Colorado Rocky Mountains.

            The logo honors the cycle of life in archetypes found in cultures all over the world through all times.  There is the red sun in the east that brings the day.  It is happiness and potential.  Red symbolizes sacrifice and valor in military heraldry.  Colorado itself is in the light of the sun more days of the year than others and the Colorado flag is properly shown in the east under the sun.

            The color green is found in the south.  Green is symbolic of those things that nourish us.  It is the earth that gives us nourishment.  It is where life springs from.

            The west is symbolized by the color black or blue.  It is where the sun sets and where the rains come from.  It is the potential of everything beyond the moment.  It is, in a sense, the direction America was born in, Manifest Destiny, the potential of America’s future, and where Old Glory appears with the tears of sacrifice above it insuring its potentiality.

            The north is white.  It is symbolic of rebirth and a symbol of all that is innocent and new.  The north has the storms that force change.

            All four elements of the universe are thus represented, fire, earth, water and air.

            The lighting bolts are symbolic of events that can cause the earth and sky to split.  It is where one crosses over to unspeakable knowledge.  In various cultures it might also be symbolized by the serpent (the zigzagged line between the mountain top and its base), the magician’s wand or the tau that is the line between the yin and yang.  It is the cross or crucifix (hook) or that powerful and mystical place where two rivers cross (the letters form a white cross on the mountain, and certainly there are many white crosses found at Arlington National Cemetery or in the American Battles Monument Cemeteries overseas), where the conscious and the subconscious meet.  It is symbolic of that line where mortals, our warriors, have met eternity.

            And so it is that Mount KIA/MIA is an island forged in the middle of the cycle of life, thrust upward into the heavens, where American’s fallen warriors have at last found peace, and where we remember them.  The eagle finally comes to rest there, representative of the highest ideals of America that America’s fallen and lost in battle have upheld in an ultimate sacrifice.  The white dove alights at Mount KIA/MIA with laurel leaves honoring our fallen and missing while insuring them eternal peace and happiness. Kiya’-miya-vat.

Mount KIA/MIA - Saguache County Colorado

Schedule of Events Coming Soon!

Hello EAGLES!

“Operation Recruiter Appreciation” (ORA) to be held on or about May 16th and 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.

As it was last year, each area will provide some type of unique-hometown recognition for the local recruiters. We are hopeful that all 50 states and D.C. will get involved. EAGLES…Be flexible and use your imagination. Make sure the recruiters know who you are (perhaps leave a written message of appreciation with a GOE mission statement included) and bring the public up to date with a banner or sign. Get some ideas of what you will do and the next step is to contact me.

How do you find the recruiter stations in your area? Go to he sites listed below. Also, be certain to call the locations you are visiting BEFORE you go! Make contact and let them know you are coming, who you represent and about the time you will be arriving. With all the trouble some recruiting stations have had with “local insurgents” it is just a good idea to notify the offices of your intent. When you call to make an appointment to visit, be prepared to tell them about Gathering of Eagles and what we do.

Colorado Coordinator - Dale Lanham - goe.colorado@gatheringofeagles.org

Northern Colorado Coordinator - Dale Parrish - dalelasalle3@aol.com

Outside Colorado contact:

4/30/08 *Update* Slapstick Politics has:

Liveblogging “Why We Want To Kill You”; Update–”Wake Up And Smell The Hummus;” Former MSA Student Removed, Audio Of Event Posted

—

Please join us for a unique and exciting opportunity to hear about terrorism from former terrorists turned peace activists on April 29, 2008.

We are looking for volunteers to help with promotions and other activities related to the event. If you are interested or have general questions, please contact us: cugop@colorado.edu

Free Republic Posted on Sunday, April 13, 2008 6:52:37 PM by flib

Tuesday, April 8th brought an onslaught of tan shirts to Capitol Hill. The Vets for Freedom Heroes tour stopped in DC to allow hundreds of Vets of Iraq and Afghanistan to visit with representatives. These Vets no strangers to missions, came with a new mission; Spread the great news of the progress made by our military in the Middle East.

My personal hero, my husband was among the throng of those who had served overseas. After inspiring speeches by the likes of McCain, and a host of congressional representatives and Vets, [barely covered by the press] the tan shirts spread out.

During a quick midmorning snack at Union Station several vets, my husband among them, met with Bill Russell an Iraq war vet from PA who plans to run against Murtha. It quickly became evident especially to some of the guys who were Marines that Murtha’s office would be a good stop to make. After all, despite exoneration of the “Haditha Marines”, no apology had been forthcoming from the Congressman.

Appointments had been requested by Vets for Freedom of every representative, yet congressmen Murtha’s office did not agree to meet with the Vets. Experience has shown that walk-ins are possible in congressional offices. So off we went; me, camera in hand with about eight or so tan clad heroes.

I was able to film just a few moments of our entry in the office with Bill Russell requesting a visit with Congressman Murtha. A staffer quickly made his way over to me and informed me that I could not film in the office because it was illegal. Not being one to break the law (no, really), I turned off the camera.

We were informed that the congressman had “back to back meetings” and we were chastised for just walking in and not requesting a meeting. [This despite the fact that a meeting WAS requested] A vet asked if a staffer could meet with us and we were told no.

The lovely blond middle aged women behind the desk inquired about the purpose of our visit. When Bill Russell told her the group was there to share their support for completing the mission in the Middle East as well as asking Congressmen if he planned on apologizing to the Marines. She quickly got defensive. “Congressman Murtha strongly supports the troops”

“No he doesn’t” I countered. (I couldn’t let that stand unchallenged.)

A bit ruffled by the contradiction, she claimed, “There are many troops who feel very supported by Congressmen Murtha”

John Murtha Awarded Pink Badge of Courage

“Not here- Any of you guys feel supported by congressman Murtha?” I asked. Heads shook all around “hmm… Nope, no one here feels supported by Congressmen Murtha.”

A Vet (obviously much nicer than me- told her that he would like some time to discuss the progress of the war in a civil manner. He said he personally wasn’t from PA, but wanted to know if the handful of vets there who were from PA could at least meet with a staffer. Again the answer was no.

Bill Russell let her know we would be on the hill all day and would be available to come back. He asked if we could leave cell phone numbers. Cards were passed through the group and handed to the receptionist.

A pregnant pause ensued and her “Have a nice day” was pretty much understood to mean, “okay, you can go now”. I stepped out to the hall and filmed the exit of the vets.

No one got a call to come back and meet with either the congressman or one of his staffers. But that was not the end of the Murtha saga for the day.

Apparently later on one of the vets ran into Bev Pearlman in front of the Cannon Building. Bev is the founder of Band of Mothers an organization of moms of service members. She was spending one of the three days she had a permit to stand there with signs in support of General Petraeus and our troops.

The vet shared his story of the Murtha visit with Bev. She was outraged. She decided to let the congressman know what she thought of a representative who did not have time or could not even have staff make time to meet with veterans of this conflict.

She did seem to think the vets were “thrown out” which was not true. Nonetheless, the vets were not given audience by even a staffer. In Bev’s own words, she got “pretty loud” with them, said her piece, and left.

She made it from Murtha’s office in the Rayburn building to the front of the Cannon building, and had been there with her signs for a while when [depending on the report you believe] at least 3 or at the most 6 cop cars, lights flashing pulled up.

A bunch of cops got out and surrounded this wisp of a woman, a mom of a soldier starting this third deployment. Bev had to share her ID with the police who took down the info, but did not arrest her.

She said she would not apologize for what she said or how she said it, but she did apologize to the police officers for putting them through having to do paperwork. One cop was taken aback since he was so used to having to arrest the leftie moonbats {He had another name for them, but my momma won’t let me say it). He thanked her for her consideration.

Kristinn of Free Republic went back to Murtha’s office to get their take on Bev’s “visit” They said she had yelled about the fact that the office would not visit with the vets, just as Bev had stated.

He asked why they called the cops and they said she was “disruptive to the office” [Not threatening-“disruptive.”] He asked when they called the police, they stated that they had called after she had left. Gee- I don’t think she was disrupting the office when she wasn’t there!

Kristen mentioned that perhaps next time they could use a bit of understanding, after all- her son was on his third tour and she was of course emotional about it.

I don’t know if they will heed his advice. I do know that it is highly ironic that the same congressman who claimed our troops were using “excessive force” in Iraq had staffers who call out multiple squad cars on a mom who just gave them a well deserved piece of her mind.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gathering of Eagles to hold press conference supporting Iraq mission and U.S. military

Washington, DC, April 1, 2008: ON April 7, 2008 at 10:00 am, members of Gathering of Eagles will hold a press conference at the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. This rally will showcase patriots from all over the country standing up in support of our military and their missions in Iraq and the War on Terror. The conference is timed to coincide with Gen. David Petraeus’ return to Capitol Hill.

Chris Hill, National Director of Operations, said, “The purpose of our actions on April 7th is to encourage our elected officials to provide full funding for the military’s current mission in Iraq, and to continue to support the current mission of stabilization there.”

After the conference, Gathering of Eagles will hold meetings with Representatives and Senators. Larry Bailey, the organization’s chairman and cofounder, will be available for interviews along with Mr. Hill.

Headquartered in North Carolina, Gathering of Eagles is a non-profit organization of everyday Americans united by a common love and respect for the United States and her military. For more information, visit their website at www.gatheringofeagles.org.

For more information, contact:
Coby W. Dillard
Assistant to the National Director
Gathering of Eagles
202-236-2767
coby.dillard@gatheringofeagles.org

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.

I know this is not our usual mission. I know most people prefer to take on the anti-American forces in the streets, but this mission is just as important, witness our latest run-ins with Code Pink, ANSWER and the like. They have not congregated in any major numbers since we countered them back in September. We have them on the run. You can be assured that they will again rear their ugly heads this summer, once the college kids are out of class. What we are doing now is reminding Congress that they, too, can be sent home. We will remind them that they work for us, not vice versa.

I recognize that Monday is a work day. I know we all have bills to pay and, after all, someone has to generate the funds for the antis’ welfare checks, but we must have support on this mission. Those of you who know me personally know that I hold the troops–all the troops–in the highest regard and will do whatever it takes to see that they get what they need to complete the mission and return as victors. I know you all think likewise, so those of you who can please stand with us on Monday, 7 April 2008, and help me BUY THE TROOPS SOME TIME TO WIN. Manchu

Chris Hill
National Director of Operations
Gathering of Eagles