I'm sure that some of you wonder why I post the GOE updates on here when they have their own site containing all of these releases. There's a very simple answer; I believe in what the GOE stands for and does, that's why I signed up as a member.
Veterans have realized that we are a strong and powerful voice when united, and as former soldiers, marines, sailors, and airmen, we KNOW how to form ranks and march together. It's drilled and instilled into us during our basic trainings and boot camps.
We don't have to be in uniform to continue in the service to our country. It's a realization that we've come to collectively, as well as individually.
We will be heard.
Gathering of Eagles
Eagles Making a Difference in NE Region
Posted: 22 May 2007 09:09 AM CDT
Master Sergeant Joe Shellenberger USAF (Reserve) is currently deployed in the fight against Islamic terrorists. He is stationed on an airbase in Afghanistan. Joe is also a duly-elected councilman in Tullytown Borough, PA, population 2,400, give or take a few. In the performance of his duties as an elected official, Joe sought to vote on council matters by teleconference from his desk in Afghanistan. He was denied that right by the council for several months before GoE became involved.
Ed Armstrong, who was running for a seat on the council alerted us to Joe's plight. On short notice, we packed the council chambers with a 100 vets. In the best example of democracy, dozens of us spoke on Joe's behalf, urging the council to do the right thing. In the worst example of partisan politics, they refused. Three months running a council member named Ed Czyzyk made a motion to allow Joe the right to vote. Three months running no one on the council would even second it. Partisan politics more familiar to Washington, DC, had made it to this sleepy borough. The night we were there Ed made his motion, and when he could receive no second, left his place at the council dais and joined us, declaring, "I'll do my voting with my feet and stand with the vets."
In the aftermath of that council meeting, GoE sent a letter out to every registered voter in Tullytown informing them of the partisan politics played by the council at the expense of a warrior serving his country. The elections in Tullytown were yesterday. Ed Czyzyk, Ed Armstrong and George Fox, a member of their coalition, garnered the lion's share of the vote. Voted out was Beth Pirolli, the Council President, and chief opponent of Joe Shellenberger. She lost by 4 votes, but lose she did.
During the course of congratulatory phone calls to both the Eds, we were informed that our letter had an impact and may have made the difference. Whatever the result, GoE stood up for a brother and won. It may not have been all that we wanted, and it may not have been the halls of Congress, but it is a start. On June 5, 2007, Master Sergeant Shellenberger will once again take his seat in the Tullytown Borough Council Chambers. GoE will be there to welcome him home. We ask that anyone who can make the trip do so. We would like to show the world that whether it is a single veteran being denied his rights, or the entire Armed Forces being maligned, we will be there to defend our brothers and sisters. It is not a question of whether or not they would do it for us. They already are. EAGLES UP!
Chris Hill
Gathering of Eagles
National Director of Operations
GOE To Blow Bugle For Rolling Thunder: Kentucky
Posted: 22 May 2007 12:12 AM CDT
I have got a big surprise for the great Patriots of The Rolling Thunder that will arrive at our Veterans Hospital this coming Wednesday 5-23-07. I'm getting the Shriners, Patriot Guard Riders, Blue Knights and Eagles from Kentucky to come to the Hospital and line the entrance with 50-75 American Flags held by Patriot Americans to welcome our brothers from Rolling Thunder and Thank them for always keeping the Lamp lit.
I myself was in this same Veterans Hospital last year when they came roaring in and came to see each one of us that was in Veterans Hospital. I'm blowing the bugle tonight to send out the alarm that another Eagle Mission is underway. I invite any one that wants to stand with us to please come. We will arrive early and stage at the BP Service Station on Zorn Avenue at I-71 in the City of Louisville Kentucky at 0830 hours—-Thunder arrives between 0900 and 0930 hours. Several of our Kentucky Eagles will follow them to Washington.
Eagles will soar Wednesday.
Walter Oster
GOE Kentucky Coordinator
Disabled American Veterans Chapter # 6
Patriot Guard Riders Captain Louisville,
Growing Pains
Posted: 21 May 2007 10:20 PM CDT
Eagles,
Approximately two months ago, the GOE site suffered major downtime and poor support from its previous host. It was these events that caused me to join the GOE effort. Since then we have moved GOE to a new server and upgraded the site significantly. At the time, the move seemed more than sufficient for GOE and its growing mission and user base.
Now, barely two months after the upgrades, we have realized that the GOE site has outgrown its host once again. This is NOT a bad thing, it only shows the incredible appeal of our effort and the determination of Eagles like yourself. So, once again it is time to upgrade the home of GOE.
The previous upgrade was a bit last minute and because of this proper planning was not accomplished. This led to some minor data losses and downtime. This upgrade has been carefully thought through and planned. Every detail of this upgrade has been thought out and put into a neat graphs and charts. The goal of upgrading any "living/growing entity", such as GOE, is limited data loss and downtime. We have come up with a solution that will not only virtually guarantee zero downtime, but also, zero data loss.
We are not only moving to a "bigger and better" server, but we are also implementing many upgrades to the GOE site. One of the main focuses of this upgrade is security. As Eagles, you are all entitled to a safe and secure browsing experience when visiting the site. With the upgrade, your data will be encrypted using secure server technologies. We will be switching to a new email system that will include some of the best security and SPAM technologies in the world. You will also soon be seeing a new lightweight forum. This forum will be fully integrated into the GOE site. Say goodbye to the days of having multiple user accounts (ie. one for the main site and one for the forum.).
Although considerable planning has gone into this upgrade, some downtime might be possible. I would highly doubt it, but we always have to plan for the unexpected. I will update you in the following days with further information and when to expect downtime, if any.
Eagles Up!
Anthony
The Triple Crown of Patriotism:UPDATE
Posted: 21 May 2007 03:56 PM CDT
Eagles!
We won a tremendous victory at Times Square on May 19th by commanding the field and getting our word out to New Yorkers that there ARE patriots willing to sacrifice to demonstrate their support for Our Troops!
Read about it and find links to pictures at: GOE NY 2007 Photos
Video: GOE NY 2007 Video
Look at which side had all the SMILES! We are a happy bunch because we smell VICTORY!
BUT WE CANNOT REST! DO NOT BE LULLED INTO COMPLACENCY!
WE HAVE TWO MORE TO GO!
U.S.CoastGuardAcademy : Rally #2 in the Triple Crown of Patriotism
Wednesday, May 23rd, New London, CT, 8:00 am
This is going to be a tough one for NY Eagles. It is on a
workday. It is far. It is Early. It is Vital!
We need to turn out in large numbers to show our support for our Graduates, their families, our Commander-in-Chief and our Troops!
We need to overwhelm the communist and anarchist opposition with a sea of happy SMILES and Red, White and Blue flags!
We need to show the parents of these young graduates that their country honors their commitment to our security. If you have an unused personal day at work, there is no better time to use it to give something back to our troops! They are willing to give their lives for you! If you have extra room in your vehicle and can take other riders,
ask your friends and family to go with you! If you still have room, email me and we will try to set you up with others who need a ride!If you need a ride email me and I will try to arrange car-pooling to get everyone there.
West Point, U.S.Military :Rally #3 in the Triple Crown of Patriotism
Saturday, May 26th, Highland Falls, NY, 8:00am
Back on our Home Turf for the Grand Slam! We are going to ROCK the opposition here! It is close by. It is a beautiful locale. The locals are on our side!
Let's welcome our Graduates and their families to Hometown, USA, with a resounding display!
Bring your family, friends, flags and SMILES to cover this town in Red, White and Blue! Visit the campus afterwards, join the convoy to Washington, DC, for Rolling Thunder/GOE II, or just stroll around and enjoy the hospitality of the town and the scenic views of the
Hudson River! If you need directions or maps of the locations email me or visit the Eagles Forum at the website.
Dan Maloney goe.ny@earthlink.net
AAR: Eagles Greet Wounded Soldiers
Posted: 21 May 2007 03:52 PM CDT
Newburgh, NY
May 20, 2007
Yesterday, I and another member of Gathering of Eagles joined up with Rolling Thunder, New York Chapter 3 to greet about 10 wounded soldiers who were arriving at Stewart Airport in Newburgh, New York. The Eagles would like to give a huge shout-out to Rolling Thunder for this uplifting and wonderful event.
These soldiers were all wounded in combat and are now in a rehabilitation program at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. As part of that program, these soldiers were taught how to play golf and are members of a team that came to New York to participate in a golf tournament. (now, how cool is that!) Rolling Thunder NY Chapter 3 started their welcome by meeting the soldiers with a greeting line at the passenger arrival gate in the airport. The soldiers were then helped to waiting vans and escorted by about 40 bikes to a beautiful restaurant (Havana's) on the Newburgh waterfront. The restaurant is located about 20 feet from the waters edge and has a beautiful deck area overlooking the scenic Hudson River. At the restaurant, a crowd of about 30 other people, including Blue Star Moms, local patriots, and veterans were waiting to greet our wounded soldiers. There was camaraderie, love, support, appreciation, food, drink, music and patriotism in abundant quantities. It was truly one of the nicest Sunday afternoons that I have spent in a long time.
This is only one of the many events that Rolling Thunder sponsors in their unwavering support of our military. One of the RT NY3 members I spoke with told me about a recent event in which they had taken a group of elderly vets for a day of fishing. These RT guys are great! I wholly recommend that for those Eagles that are not already members of RT, that you check out your local RT chapter and find out how you can support them!
Carolyn
