Possibly my last report from Camp Casey.

[brainshrub]

I'm to tired to make a full report today and the internet network may be taken down tomorrow before I can post again, so this could be my last post from Camp Casey.

###

I just took part in a beautiful ceremony. The conservatives on the other side of the ditch joined us in a memorial vigil for the fallen solders in Iraq. As a peace-offering, they donated a 20-foot pole with two flags on it: The American and a "Fallen Soldiers" flags. (The "Fallen Soldiers" banner has a white background with a rifle planted in the ground and a helmet over the stock.)

We prayed together, lit candles and sang patriotic songs. There wasn't a dry eye in Camp Casey, it was wonderful. At the end of the ceremony, as the flags and pole where returned to the pro-Bush side, we shouted: "Thank you!, We love you!, You are good Americans!"

For the record, it was the conservative side who who volunteered to donate the flags and pole when they heard we were having a memorial vigil. In my opinion, the reason they did this was that they recognized that we love America, and the soldiers, just as much as they do.

If Cindy's protest has started a dialog between us, it was worth the effort.

###

A group of veterans has already left for New Orleans to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The word is that the Louisiana National Guard is in Iraq, so the veterans have started mobilizing to take up the slack.

There are still about 300 people here, mostly folks who have been here the longest. Ann Wright made an announcement this afternoon that the packing-up will begin tomorrow with the removal of the crosses at camps one and two on Tuesday morning.

###

A woman dropped her car keys in one of the port-o-johns earlier this evening. (Before the ceremony) Jeff the marine got them out for her. She is laughed so hard that the entire caught a case of the giggles.

###

Rebekah has been offered a paid job as the chef for the "Bring Them Home Now" tour. Details still have to be hashed out, but they really love her cooking. Who can blame them? For example, today we had baked salmon w/ lemon & garlic, wild rice w/ shiitake mushrooms, almonds & green onion, lightly sauteed summer squash and french-braised bison . (The bison was a gift from Colorado.)

James invited me to join the bus tour as the official blogger & network apprentice, but I really need to go home. I miss Asheville and I'm getting homesick.

###

[Booster]

1. Brainshrub, you have been wonderful in your posts and giving

those of us who could not be there a feeling that we were. You have a right to be tired and homesick, and you need some rest. I'm hoping soon you can look back on this and say "I helped end this war". Be very proud of yourself, as I am very proud of you. Job well done, my friend.

[Lerkfish]

2. thank you for helping us to be there when we couldn't.

you are an angel and a warrior for doing so.

:)

:hug:

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. thans for the reporting

and take care,

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. Oh I am so glad to hear this

What an accomplishment to have the opposition come across the road and join you. That is just awesome. I am crying right now. :cry:

The food sounds wonderful. When I was there, it was all vegan. It was very good, but I needed some meat when I got home :)

BS, I think you should go on the tour. It is a once in a lifetime experience. 5, 10 years from now, you could have a family and be tied down and unable to do something like this. Like me; I had to come home to go back to school. I would give ANYTHING to have been there with you. If I didn't have a mortgage and a car payment, I would be there.

The bus tour is coming to KC on Thursday but it looks like it will be a brief stop in the middle of the day. So I won't be able to come see everyone. School just started today; I can't take time off during the first week. I wish someone could talk them in to staying here longer and being here for an evening appearance. We have a large progressive community here in KC; the bus tour would get a great reception.

[shance]

5. This post is so touching.

and so inspiring!

Thank you for taking the time to give us such a beautiful summary.

We are grateful to all of you that have given us so much here at
DU!***

[benburch]

6. YOU ROCK!

Heard you on the live feed with Brad several times.

[Cha]

7. Thanks, brainshrub, for all your

wonderful posting! I know Asheville is calling you but you have done such an important service..thanks!

[cal04]

8. Thank you brainshrub. This is so amazing.

Thank you and everybody who has been there and kept us who couldn't be there, updated everyday.
This is truly a miracle that both sides could be together as one
Thanks

[brook]

9. Let me add my thanks...

for all you have done there - and here, to keep us feeling close.

I am mightily grateful for the joining together in the ceremony tonight. You have planted the mustard seed, my friend. Rest well.

[John Q. Citizen]

10. Thanks for the great post and update! N/T

[enigmatic]

11. You've done a trememdus job

In blogging from Camp Casey; be very prouid of yourself gor the job you've done.:)

[WillyT]

12. Thank You So Much For Making Us Feel A Part Of It All !!!

You've been great!

You are a DU Hero!

And finally...

:yourock:

[PuraVidaDreamin]

13. Go home for just a week, then re-join.

I am greatful for your enthusiasm and keen wit/humor.

To tell you that I read your posts and just reflect
for a few minutes with just the most peaceful heart
does not do justice to what you have contributed.

Debbie

[rocktivity]

39. Just make sure you're rested up in time

for Washington DC the weekend of September 24. I've booked a hotel room, and you have three parties to co-host!

:headbang:
rocknation

[Generic Other]

14. What a wondeful end of camp report

I think there's going to be some tears when it comes time to part.

Too bad you couldn't continue on. We have come to depend on your reports! Just one more month, Brainy...

:hug:

[uppityperson]

15. Thank you BrainShrub

Appreciate all your blogging, can you join them next week?

[JackieO]

16. thanks so much

Reading your reports has been wonderful, thank you!

:hi:

[Hissyspit]

17. See you in D.C., fellow NCer!

[SeattleGirl]

18. brainshrub, as usual, a wonderful post

As others have said, you have helped bring Camp Casey to those of us unable to be there. Thank you so much. And I was very touched by your account of the memorial service this evening. Goosebumps and tears as I read it. Peace to you, tired warrier.

:hug:

[Gregorian]

19. Cindy Sheehan is the uniter.

This post shares the critical sameness that we all share. Every human being has this one thing in common. For whatever reason, it can get lost amongst the greed and hatred. But when the time is right, there it is to be seen by all. We have been so dumbfounded by the complete absence of it. And even the conscious attempts to blur and obscure it, that it feels odd to suddenly be confronted with it. It, is love. It, is caring. It, is what we are made of.

Please let it grow.

[FreedomAngel82]

20. Sounds great!

I'm really surprised at the pro-Bush people coming over and donating the flags for the serivce! Wow. It's really amazing. No fighting or yelling or anything. I hope someone got that on video. It's kind of sad that the whole thing is ending at Camp Casey. I hope you and everybody else has a safe trip home.

[faithnotgreed]

21. thank you so much friend

[Gelliebeans]

22. Thank you for sharing your experience

with us. You are the best :hug:

[Media_Lies_Daily]

23. Great post! Thank you very much!!

[ClayZ]

24. Namaste

[kster]

25. Great report ,a question

where can you get the Fallen Soldier banner, if you know ,sorry to interrupt this thread but I needed to ask.

[snot]

26. Dear brainshrub, thank you for this beautiful post. nt

[BigBearJohn]

27. Thank you! You made my day!

[renate]

28. what a beautiful story, what a beautiful image

Thank you for sharing that and for your generosity in giving credit where credit is due. It makes me feel much more peaceful, knowing that it was Bush supporters who came up with the idea of performing that ceremony together.

That is just absolutely humbling and lovely and inspiring, and it really softens my heart towards people whose views I struggle to understand... but really, everybody there is just doing his or her best to cope with what is going on with the war, and it's so beautiful when people who disagree can come together to acknowledge each others' humanity.

[Paradise]

29. thank you. n/t

[mikita]

30. thank you...n/t

[latebloomer]

31. Wow, the ceremony sounds amazing!

And fishing keys out of a porta potty-- those Marines really are brave!

Thanks so much for your excellent work, brainshrub-- now go home and relax for a while!

[elehhhhna]

32. Moving. Thank you.

[Libby2]

33. Oh man....

What a wonderful post and you are a wonderful person.
Thank you so very, very much for keeping us updated.

I will miss looking for your posts everyday.

((((brainshrub))))

[Solly Mack]

34. I've really enjoyed your reports. Much appreciation!!!!!!!

Thank you!

[movie_girl99]

35. thank you so much for your posts

and keeping us up to date. I have looked forward to them daily. You and the others have done a great thing there in Crawford. I was able to visit once and it touched me deeply. I can only imagine what it was like for those of you there daily. What a fantastic movement to have been part of. Many thanks again.:grouphug:

[Tesla]

36. BELIEVE ME,

if I was able and asked to do this, I would JUMP at the chance!!
You are at the ground floor of a HUGE PEACE EFFORT, that may be the last resort for our country, as we once knew it!!

[babylonsister]

37. brainshrub, thank you for your blogging for us;

you are a selfless individual who is so appreciated. Go home and rest, knowing you have spread a lot of light for those that were/are unable to be there. :hug:

[deadparrot]

38. That memoral sounded wonderful.

Wish I could've been there. :(

Thanks for the report...all of your reporting, brainshrub. It was much appreciated to those of us who could only be there in spirit. :applause:

[MadeinOhio]

40. Brainshrub, that's teriffic news!!!

I knew there was good people out there, I'm so grateful those conservatives finally saw the light.

:hug:

Now if only their children, who are brainwashed bushbots could see the light too and stop setting up Freeper pep rallies across the Houston Oil despot, talking about kicking their ass and taking their gas. That is NOT the american way and they are totally clueless.

Thanks for the update!

[NoSheep]

41. Thanks for the post. Now it's on to DC!!!!!

[GreenPartyVoter]

42. Thank you so much. Bless you! *hugs*

[tavalon]

43. Thank you

Can you tell me who I need to contribute to for the tour?