I was proud to attend today's "Gathering of Eagles" (GOE) counter-protest to the large anti-war march to the Pentagon and was pleased find the attendance by many loyal veterans and Americans. Those carrying American flags and backing our men and women in uniform arrived and participated in very large numbers. I was impressed and pleased.

The dingbats were also in very large numbers and behaved shamefully. They didn't do so without direct, loud and clear commentary from the assembled patriotic souls and faced a sea of American flags flying stiffly in the cold wind. The "moonbat" crowd did shameful things to the few American flags that they had - including altering the to stars and replacing them with dishonorable symbols and later - dragging the American flag on the ground.

The voices and messages of those of us flying the American flag with pride were numerous, loud and gave absolutely no quarter. I was proud to raise my voice with them. The event began with the dingbat anti-war protesters assembled near the State Department giving their shrill speeches. The Gathering of Eagles patriots were assigned an area on the opposite side of the Viet Nam Veteran's Memorial wall and it was a proud display of U.S. flags. The Pledge of Allegence was said and our National Anthem played in sight of the Wall. The Memorial was very well protected and there were no incidents that I'm aware of.

I later met and joined ARFCOM's Bulldog1967 near the anti-war protestor site and we (and another 1,000+) patriots stood on the north side of the Lincoln Menorial - across the street from the dinbat assembly and made our low regard for their ideals known - American flags flying proudly.

At 1:00PM the antis began the march across the Memorial Bridge and the GOE moved to the bridge to counter their negative message in front of the press (lots of American flags flying along the bridge is a good counter). Initially three veterans blocked the start of the "march" by standing silently at attention in the middle of the road. They did not move when the Park Police motorcycle cops zapped them with their sirens and remained motionless for a few minutes. It was clear that the Park Police didn't want to arrest them - and with their point made and the antis delayed - they re-joined us one traffic lane away from the flow of antis.

The long march of antis was filled with loud and clear commentary from the GOE patriots (I doubt I'll have much of a voice tomorrow ). We flew American flags and they flew rainbow, peace and all manner of flags other than the American flag (a few rare exceptions). Our American flags stood tall.

One group of antis was dishonoring a 5-foot American flag and two guys from the GOE patriots broke ranks, grabbed the flag and a tussle began. Some fists flew, there was some shoving and he ultimately got control of the flag from a greater number of antis. The Park Police grabbed him and he made the quickest, cleanest lateral pass to another veteran who ran back to our ranks with the flag. Some in the anti crowd stopped marching and plotted how to regain the flag - but that would have been a great mistake. They ultimately gave it up (they don't care about our flag anyway) and there is a photo below of two veterans holding it up.

I was pleased to be among the thousands of veterans and Americans that came to show pride in our nation, pride in our military, pride in our flag and to show a clear, positive counter to the negative image and message of the antis in front of the national press.

Here are some photos to give you an idea of the event.

God Bless America,

CWO
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The Gathering of Eagles assembly area with thousands of flags whipping in the cold breeze:












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You will notice that the favorite color of the antis is yellow (imagine that...). These pics show their assembly area, protest signs and the patriots flying American flags on the near side to counter their negative message.







Park Police were close by to keep order