At the start of February, we were alerted by a few vets that the hard left, anti-American protesters organized around Cindy Sheehan, Jane Fonda, and their ilk planned to demonstrate in Washington on March 17, 2007, starting at the Vietnam War Memorial and marching on the Pentagon. Word spread via e-mail, and then by website.

Last time those barbarians marched not only did they protest, but they also vandalized the Capitol while the Capitol Police did virtually nothing. This time, they would do it to Our Wall. They will dishonor the memory of Our Fallen Brothers before beginning their trek to betray and dishonor Our Serving Sons. Forbid it Almighty God!! Even if no vandalism were to occur, to expropriate The Wall as a backdrop for such a protest would be a desecration. An obscenity. It would be like allowing the KKK to hold a national rally at the Lincoln Memorial that would never be allowed to happen. And the aging hippies and traitors of the 1960s must not be allowed near The Wall memorializing those they betrayed.

Almost immediately veterans began to organize unofficially. Only a few at first, and not all aware of each other. By February second I learned that our own Zero Ponsdorf was going to go and defend The Wall and I signed on too. I learned that Larry Bailey, another honored friend would be there. By the beginning of last week I had tentative travel plans, and was in contact with another local vet who wanted to travel with me if he could get free. So we were now maybe several dozens. We few, we happy few.

Then the explosion! By mid-week I learned that the Arlington Holiday Inn had made available a bloc of rooms at special discount. On February 8, I learned that ViperAsh, Colonel Harry Riley and Ted Sampley and a few others were cooperating. And we had a forum to discuss and coordinate our plans. And we had a name Gathering of Eagles. Our own 1st Cav was the forum’s ninth registrant and our OWB was the honored Number 10. Larry Bailey was Number 5. Because I was busy amending my reservations and travel plan, I become only Number 26. This weekend, we gained a Gathering of Eagles website as well as a forum. And our numbers continue to grow.

From Veteran- American Voices, we will have five of our seven contributing bloggers present; the other two are WWII vets who may not be able to travel because of advanced age. While some of the approximately 300 registered members at the GOE forum are coming alone, many seem to be representing local groups and indicate they will be arriving with a dozen or more, or even a busload to join us. The Swift Boat Sailors Association is on board. Rolling Thunder is organizing independently, but will be there in alliance. And the Freepers. And the 910 Group. And as word spreads, some of the veterans organizations may send delegations. And the will be other totally independent, individual veterans who will rally on their own. We have reached critical mass and the chain reaction is happening. With luck, our numbers will be so large that when we all compress on March 17, there will be fusion, and a new Coalition of the Proud may be created.

We must not lose sight of our purpose, but let us also not lose sight of the larger gestalt. Our sole purpose in this encounter is to Defend The Wall. We may block and obstruct, or perhaps, if attacked may be forced to more active measures. Best of all will be if our sheer numbers and presence so overawe the barbarians that they sulk in impotent fury off to the side and go off to get themselves tear-gassed elsewhere. But however it happens, and whatever else happens, if we defend Our Wall, then we have won.

But understand. As dear to us as they are, the Fifty-eight Thousand and Our Wall, are indeed a symbol of something else, of other things just as important. Defending them is a pledge to our current warriors that they shall not be abandoned or scorned, that their memorials shall not some day be defaced. It is a gesture of support to them, far more meaningful than a car ribbon and a perfunctory "have a nice day and thanks for your service". After all, it is their war which brought out the moonbats to deface the memorial to our war.

And there is a still wider ripple. This whole confrontation is a part of the larger culture war, which has raged, with the briefest of truces since the mid-1960s. I have seen one person caution that this "should not be about just a forty year old grudge." Yes and no. Truly, it is first of all about Defending Our Wall. But it is also yet one more confrontation with the same individuals who betrayed our country forty years ago, and who continue to wage war by other means on our country and our culture at all opportunities. Our presence defending our Fallen, can send a message to the country and to the world that the Left is noisy but marginal. And that message might have an effect on elected leaders, and upon other countries both friend and foe. Let us show that this is a land still teeming with Eagles, a land where vultures are not welcome, and cannot feast upon our Honored Slain.

History happens when you’re doing mundane things with little concern beyond the present need. Two hundred and forty-two years ago a small group of angry farmers at Concord chose to make a stand for their musket rights. They knew it might mean trouble or it might lead to nothing. None of them guessed they were about to change the history of the world.

3-17-07 will not be as important as Concord. But if our showing is large enough, it can become a turning point in our own war for national self-respect. Might we be about to make history? May we make history! Help make that happen. You are offered a chance to be there and share the honor of honoring our Fallen Brothers. Or will you be one of King Henry’s "gentlemen in England now-a-bed (who) Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here". What will you say to yourself while listening to the evening news on March 19?

--Rurik

Originally published at Veteran-American Voices. Crossposted with permission.