A Gathering of Eagles

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Vets head to D.C. in response to protest
Times Leader ^ | Mar. 16, 2007 | JOHN KRISPIN

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“We will all adorn flags and will be very dignified.”

Local veterans are headed for Washington on Saturday over fears that anti-war protesters may “deface” the military memorials even though the peace activists deny any such plans.



More than a dozen local veterans will join the Gathering of Eagles, a national veterans group committed to upholding the prestige of war memorials.



The gathering is counter to a “March on the Pentagon” organized by the anti-war group Act Now to Stop War and End Racism. The nationwide anti-war group, in a press release, denies any plans for disorderly actions upon any memorial.



The demonstrations are in conjunction with the four-year anniversary of the United States’ military involvement in Iraq.



The peace march will begin near the Vietnam Memorial site and end at the Pentagon.



Veterans, including Jesse Turner of the Shickshinny area, are concerned that protesters may dishonor the Vietnam Memorial Wall and other monuments. They plan to stand silent guard over the memorial.



Turner, a Korean War and Vietnam veteran and commander of Shickshinny American Legion Post 495, is organizing the trip. He welcomes other local residents who would like to take the bus trip to the nation’s capital.



“For the demonstration I am hoping that the rest of America will know that the Jane Fondas and Cindy Sheehans (two of the most popular protestors of the war) of the world are not the norm,” Turner said. “We have other people that still love our country and fully support our troops.”



The Gathering of Eagles’ purpose, according to its Web site, is to uphold the divinity of the memorials which recognize the fallen soldiers who shed blood for the country and the rights of its citizens.



Frank McNeil, a Marine Corps veteran, recalls the scene in San Francisco decades ago during the height of the anti-war movement.



“It was like a gauntlet walking amongst those people,” said McNeil. “Protestors are the loud minority, while veterans are the silent majority. We’d like the troops stationed over in Iraq to come home with dignity.”



Vietnam veteran Jake Baluta said the group’s function is to support the military.


“That’s the reason for this organization, for veterans to touch base and stand amongst the soldiers,” he said. “We will all adorn flags and will be very dignified.”

Americans from all over the United States, Vets and non-Vets alike, moms, dads, brothers and sisters and general, all around good Americans are headed to Washington DC to meet up and COUNTER Protest the war protesters who will be visiting DC.

The gathering is counter to a “March on the Pentagon” organized by the anti-war group Act Now to Stop War and End Racism. So far, I have heard that this might end up being in the thousands of Counter Protesters.

Unfortunately, I have prior work committments and can not go, but Michele Malkin is going, along with a dozen or so other bloggers who will fill us in as the day goes by.

Please pray for and support the real Patriots of America... American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who are fighting this war in Iraq.

Americans from all over the United States, Vets and non-Vets alike, moms, dads, brothers and sisters and general, all around good Americans are headed to Washington DC to meet up and COUNTER Protest the war protesters who will be visiting DC.

The gathering is counter to a “March on the Pentagon” organized by the anti-war group Act Now to Stop War and End Racism. So far, I have heard that this might end up being in the thousands of Counter Protesters.

Unfortunately, I have prior work committments and can not go, but Michele Malkin is going, along with a dozen or so other bloggers who will fill us in as the day goes by.

Please pray for and support the real Patriots of America... American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who are fighting this war in Iraq.