Is there any doubt? You must be there! (Updated)

For those of you still pondering, wondering if you should spend the time and the money to get to Washington DC for The Gathering of Eagles on March 17th at the Vietnam Memorial Wall, please stop pondering and get your plans in place to join us there!

Specialist Michael Beecher with the 1st Stryker Brigade, Arrowhead, has written a letter posted on The Gathering of Eagles website. Read it and tell me that, if you love this country and truly support our troops, you don't need to be at the Wall on the 17th. I dare you...

I am Spc. Beecher, Michael with the United States Army (Active). I’m with the 1st Stryker Brigade, Arrowhead. I’m waiting for my return to Ft. Lewis when my fellow soldiers get here. I was there [in the U.S.] last year when we were loading our trucks at the dock. We had soda cans, piss bottles, trash and rocks thrown at us, as if we
don’t get enough of it here now. ...

Lots of citizens of this country have lost the passion of justice, freedom and above all honor as an American. Our country has changed a lot since its younger years of glory. The protesters, the ones against the troops, against our love for this great nation that wants to pursue happiness and protection for all mankind. I want to make this country be able to stand up as a whole like it once was and be able to stand and say “I will not lay down…I will not go quietly…we can survive…I will protect…I will not falter in my honor." ...

What?! Americans, not Iraqis, threw "soda cans, piss bottles, trash and rocks" at our troops?!
Michelle Malkin just did a story ("The Peace Brigade vs. The Stryker Brigade") about this very thing.

... Members of the anti-military mob shouted condescendingly at our volunteer soldiers rolling past them: "Free the troops!" "No justice, no peace!" "You don't have to go!" One lunatic with a bullhorn urged Stryker Brigade members to disobey their commanding officers and sneered: "Your sergeant is a douchebag!"...

Please read the full story because in it Malkin mentions an incident last year at that same port, probably the incident Spc. Beecher refers to in his letter. One of the mothers of a Stryker Brigade service member who was jeered that day a year ago wrote to Michelle Malkin:

"These people are protesting the shipment of Strykers. Strykers are what keep our infantrymen alive in Iraq. They are agile, strong, and the newest ones have very accurate firepower. Once again, the moonbats say they support our troops, but not the war. They show it by insulting the troops' intelligence, calling their NCOs names, and telling them that they will die for nothing. Nice. I personally like to tell my son that he will come home alive and we will be reunited. These protesters sounded more like spoiled, self-centered, obnoxious brats to me. Yet, at the end of the line, there stand our troops. They are carrying the weight of the free world on their shoulders and they get to hear this mindless drivel before they deploy." ...

Look folks, if you are sitting idly by thinking that the anti-war protesters are simply and politely exercising their rights to free speech and it's harmless, I beg you to think again. You're probably among those who say that it certainly won't be like it was in the Vietnam era because we all know how much that hurt our returning soldiers. Don't be so naive. If you think the anti-troop, anti-American Vietnam era nastiness isn't starting up again, you've got to pull your head out of the sand. Fast.

When these protesters say they support the troops what they mean is they support the defeat and demoralization of our troops and will do all in their power to bring it about. Don't be fooled. Sadly but surely, the hatred and nastiness of the hippies during the Vietnam era is most certainly being revisited on this generation of American troops. I say, "ENOUGH! NOT THIS TIME!!"

Our war memorials must remain intact, unscarred, and sacrosanct from the so-called "peace brigades." Support our troops by showing that you value their service and those who have gone before them. Please join us at the Wall on March 17th. It's more important than ever that we take action en masse to show that Americans DO love and support not only the troops but this great country.

You are needed to support your troops both past and present. The Gathering of Eagles is now collecting a headcount via online petition. Please check in and sign the petition if you plan to stand with your fellow Americans and our veterans at the Wall on the 17th.

If you absolutely cannot be there with us on the 17th, please sign a petition stating that you support The Gathering of Eagles and will be there with us in spirit.

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UPDATE:
If you think that Kentuckians wouldn't stoop so low as to tear down this country and our troops with Vietnam era tactics and nastiness, you need to see this. I just uncovered the latest update on what the protesters from this area are saying about the March 17th protest.

"This is gonna be huge!

The March 17th March on the Pentagon will be the largest mobilization yet since the war in Iraq began and likely the largest since the Vietnam protests. Over 200 transportation center have been identified accross the county to help coordinate buses and local delegation heading to DC.

The enthusiasm has grown so rapidly that organizers have changed the basic plan for the day. Since the crowd size is expected to be so large, there will be no opening rally or speakers. Instead, the march will step off at 12:30 from 23d and Constitution and immediately move toward the Pentagon. There will be a rally at the conclusion of the march right at the Pentagon.

Amazingly Louisville has already filled over three buses and a fourth may fill in the next several days! If you are thinking of going, you have just a couple of days to get your seat reserved."