Notifications
Clear all
Hi all you POPASMOKERS !!
I know it's still 2 months from Memorial Day, but I'd like to take this opportunity to invite all of you to come down to "The Hootch". The Hootch will be set up in its usual place on The Mall at 20th and Constitution in Wash. D.C. Set up of the Hootch is scheduled for 1900 hrs. on Friday May 25th. The Hootch will be open for business starting at 0800 hrs. on the 26th AND 27th, closing will be about 1430 hrs. each day. On Memorial Day, the 28th, Hootch hours are 0800 to about 1400 hrs. The POPASMOKE Memorial Service at The Wall will be at 1030 hrs., muster is at 1000 hrs.
Any help you can give in setting up the Hootch and manning the tent over the weekend will be greatly appreciated. So "Come on down" and meet all the veterans, their family and friends, and the so many others who come to pay tribute at The Wall.
Hope to see all of you there.
Semper FI
"Crazy Joe" Scholle
HMM-363
Posted : 2012-03-28 14:37
Re: Memorial Day 2012 at The Wall
Marines & Docs
We are going to be short some personnel that week-end. We would appreciate any and all help. Set up 1900 on Friday, open 0800-1600 Sat & Sun, Open 0800 on Monday, Memorial service at 10:30, close at around 1300
Posted : 2012-05-16 17:09
Re: Memorial Day 2012 at The Wall
Can someone give us an update on how things went at the Wall on Memorial Day? I've read some emails from other Vets who said things were delayed for 4 or 5 hours and they weren't alowed into the area until the President had completed his speech. Thanks
Posted : 2012-06-03 11:21
Re: Memorial Day 2012 at The Wall
Hi Mike:
From the POPASMOKE standpoint nothing happened at The Wall or the Hootch on Monday (Memorial Day). As the President was speaking the Secret Service put up a six (6) block cordon around the area. NO CARS !! Everyone had to walk in. Also the POPASMOKE tent (10 x 20 Ft.) was too big to meet Secret Service security protocols. The Wall was closed at 0600 hrs. Therefore we had no memorial service or wreath presentation. In fact we closed up shop on Sunday afternoon and went home. First time that has happened to us. As it is an election year this move by POTUS was no surprise.
Sorry for the negative report.
Semper Fi.
"Crazy Joe" Scholle
HMM-363
Posted : 2012-06-03 16:42
Re: Memorial Day 2012 at The Wall
Joe,
Don't apologize, wasn't your fault! Thanks for the "I was there" summary!! Sad state of affairs for sure! Although I have never made the haul up there, I appreciate what you folks do each and every year, up to now! Great job, many thanks!!!
Posted : 2012-06-03 21:29
Re: Memorial Day 2012 at The Wall
Crazy Joe;36112 wrote: Hi Mike:
From the POPASMOKE standpoint nothing happened at The Wall or the Hootch on Monday (Memorial Day). As the President was speaking the Secret Service put up a six (6) block cordon around the area. NO CARS !! Everyone had to walk in. Also the POPASMOKE tent (10 x 20 Ft.) was too big to meet Secret Service security protocols. The Wall was closed at 0600 hrs. Therefore we had no memorial service or wreath presentation. In fact we closed up shop on Sunday afternoon and went home. First time that has happened to us. As it is an election year this move by POTUS was no surprise.
Sorry for the negative report.
Semper Fi.
"Crazy Joe" Scholle
HMM-363
C.J.,
I rarely address issues such as this in public or semi-public forums. The office of the President is certainly open to criticism.,as it should be.,under our system of government. Far too often,this criticism comes in subjective form & disrespectful in nature. Often,to a point of ridicule. I do not "play that card."
However.., this truly has me incensed. We've been at the Wall for years,on all the occasions marking our veterans service & our country's birth-date. It is not a demonstration. It is an observation in honor of.
The media seems to have not grasped this bit of spicy fodder.,but I intend to make an attempt at calling their attention to this big ol' pile of steaming bovine compost.
Craze
S/F,Mike
TAKE NO PRISONERS.,SHOW NO MERCY.
DEATH SMILES AT EVERYONE...,MARINES SMILE BACK...
Posted : 2012-06-03 22:20
Re: Memorial Day 2012 at The Wall
Gentlemen, this is not a political issue. Since 9/11 security for the President has changed. During the NATO conference here in Chicago he wasn’t allowed to go to his own house to sleep, do to security concerns.
Semper Fi
Bruce "Howdy" Mayor HMM-161 '69-'70
Posted : 2012-06-04 02:30
Re: Memorial Day 2012 at The Wall
Howdy... I respectfully disagree that this problem wasn't a "political" decision. The same security problems have existed for over a decade and they have never turned away Memorial Day visitors as they did this year.
Be honest with yourself. Last year the President skipped this event so he could play golf. Was he at the wall sharing his concerns for Vietnam Vets in 2009 or 2010? This year he is up for reelection and he needs our votes.
It smacks of political opportunism, and that's how many of us feel, and why so many people are so upset with him, and the people who planned this event. If I were to agree you that it was all about increased security, and not a political photo opportunity, then he should have held this event on national TV on the White House Lawn in prime time, with the full security of the White House fence and the secret service there to protect him.
BTW..... I read his entire speech honoring our Vietnam era vets and he failed to mention the reason why we were sent to fight in Vietnam. The word "Communism" was not menentioned anywhere his speech. That's also another reason that I'm upset. However, this may not not the platform to address my concerns that other Americans are still unaware of what happened at the Wall on Memorial Day.
We all fought for the right to disagree and that's why I respect your opinion. However, I think you are naive. I'll respect the editorial policy of this web site and you'll hear no more from me on this subject. Semper Fi. Mike Sullivan
Posted : 2012-06-04 10:30
Re: Memorial Day 2012 at The Wall
Howdy... I respectfully disagree that this problem wasn't a "political" decision. The same security problems have existed for over a decade and they have never turned away Memorial Day visitors as they did this year.
Be honest with yourself. Last year the President skipped this event so he could play golf. Was he at the wall sharing his concerns for Vietnam Vets in 2009 or 2010? This year he is up for reelection and he needs our votes.
Agree. Same rules since 2001 and not treated this poorly!
Posted : 2012-06-04 15:56
