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I arrived in Moscow, Idaho (Home of Idaho University one block from Best
Western) and went to dinner at Best Western.
About 85-100 people were in the Restaurant. I'm at a table for about 5
minutes when this "Group" comes in (20 people). They have Anti-War Picket
Signs with them. It appears that two of these demonstrators are
Professors.
They all sit at a large round table behind me and begin to talk very
loudly about US atrocities in Afghanistan. One of the "Professors" stands
up and gives a brief talk about how the "US is famous for atrocities" and
Afghanistan will be no different. One of the students asked a question
about Viet Nam POW's. The "Professor" makes a comment about how that was
only US propaganda about poor treatment of POW's.
OK - I'm really mad now and I jump up and go over to their table.
(In retrospect - Over the entrance to the Restaurant is a huge American
Flag.On each table is an American Flag and a small hand painted sign
"United We Stand")
I excuse myself and ask the Professor if I can ask him a question. He
says yes.
I said that he appears to be of age to have served in Viet Nam, and asked
him if he had served.
His answer was, "NO - I defended this Campus and told the truth to the
students.
I then asked if he remembered what he was doing on February 16, 1969.
When he answered, "Of course not - that was too long ago," I responded,
"Really, I remember what I was doing. That was the second day of my
capture and I had been standing in a bamboo cage for 24 hours with water
up to my chest".
I then said "Sir, your comments about how POW's in Nam were treated are a
lie and I personally say to you, you are a ******* liar, as you never
were there. I was a POW and they did not treat our POWs humanly. The only
other person I have ever heard make the statements like you have is Jane
Fonda. Is she telling the truth and not me?"
He stood up and after about 10 seconds said, "Jane is a great patriot and
I cannot visualize her lying."
With that, I reached over and grabbed the small American Flag and United
We Stand sign and said, "I'm taking this back to my table where it can be
appreciated".
No one said a word to me as I started to walk back.
However after a few seconds, people started standing up and applauding
all around the restaurant. Two men got up from a table across the room
and walked over to me. The first identified himself as former US Marine
Lieutenant Flynn and the other man was former Gunnery Sergeant Graboski.
In a loud voice after introducing themselves, Lt. Flynn said they were
former Marine Guards at a US Embassy. He then said, "We are over at this
table to defend the US Flag from all foes, both foreign and domestic."
They then sat down and asked their Waitress to bring their meals over to
my table. A few more minutes went by with loud comments from the
"Anti-War" table.
All of a sudden, "Gunny" Sergeant Graboski stood up and in a loud voice
said "All of you heard what the President said the other night. You are
either with the United States or you are with the terrorists."
He then said, "Please stand and join me in God Bless America." As he
started singing, people all around the restaurant stood up and joined in.
Several of the students at the "Anti-War" table also stood up half way
through the song and joined in. Both Professors and the majority of the
students remained seated and refused to sing. At the end there was a
great ovation.
The Manager came up to my table. (He and his staff came out from the
kitchen and sang). He thanked me for what I started and then went over
to the Anti-War table and asked them to leave. "I will pay for what you
have had so far but I cannot in good conscience serve you - get out now!!
One of the Professors then made a remark "Well, we are not going to pay
one dime for how shabbily we have been treated."
As they were leaving, one customer stood up and said, "Manager, here is
$5 towards their bill, anyone
else willing to chip in to get this scum out of here?"
All over the restaurant, people stood up reaching for their wallet and
saying, "I'll chip in"
The Manager, in tears said, "My family is from Poland, I am now a
citizen and am so proud of what I see tonight." He started crying and a
couple of the waitresses helped him into the kitchen.
The two Marines and I were there for about another 20 minutes and
finished our meal. The Hostess came up and showed us more than $100
dollars that all the other tables had told their Waitresses to give
towards our bill. I thanked her but said I could not take the money. Lt
Flynn suggested donating it in the Restaurant's name to the New York
Relief Fund, so I guess that's what will happen.
I just can't believe how Americans are coming together now. Just thought
you would like to hear how the rest of the country is reacting to what
happened!!!
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Urban Legend Zeitgeist: Love It or Leave It: Example