Sarah made a very popular visit to Ft Hood, Texas to sign books and raise money for victims and families of those whose lives were forever changed by the first terror attack on American soil since September 11, 2001.
There was a large crowd of supporters at the base to welcome her to Central Texas. Sarah, who donated her royalties from all of the books sold during her visit raised a reported $10,000 for the cause.
From the Houston Chronicle:
Palin gets a hero's welcome at Fort Hood:
Former VP candidate signs copies of her book and says royalties on some book sales will benefit a rampage victims fund
FORT HOOD — Rebecca Dalberg's excitement over Sarah Palin's book signing Friday night was so intense, she wanted to spend the night in a parking lot to assure a front-row seat.
Her retired military husband, Sonny Dalberg, quashed that idea because the Copperas Cove couple live less than five minutes away from the sprawling Army post where the former Alaska governor signed about 1,000 copies of her new book, Going Rogue.
The Dalbergs, who arrived 11 hours before the event, were among the first people to navigate a maze of meandering lines at the post exchange before reaching last year's GOP vice presidential candidate.
Warm welcome
The crowd greeted her entry with a boisterous "Sar-ah, Sar-ah" chant.
"She's human. She listens to people. She doesn't think that she's better than anyone," Rebecca Dalberg said. "She's all-American. That's Mom, apple pie and John Wayne."
The Dalbergs paid $21 each for four books. Each person was allowed to bring two to Palin for autographs.
Palin has said royalties on books sold during her stop at Fort Hood will benefit the victims of last month's mass shooting and their families.
Army psychologist Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan is accused of killing 13 and wounding 38 soldiers and civilians.
Victims' family members are ecstatic about Palin's help, said Ron Taylor, president of the Central Texas chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army.
He estimated the book signings would add more than $10,000 to the fund, which will help pay for travel expenses, lodging and missed work for family members who had to rush to Fort Hood to be with their loved ones, Taylor said.
The fund, which has fetched $250,000, will help more than 100 family members, he said.
First Lt. Jonathan Brown of Tampa Bay, Fla., walked away with a smile as he clutched his autographed copy of Palin's book.
"It was my first time that I met somebody big," said Brown, a Palin supporter. "She supports the military. She supports the American troops, and I'm a big fan of that."
Support for politician
Theresa Cockran of nearby Nolanville came away convinced she had just met the next president of the United States.
"She's like me. She's got a heart and a soul," said Cockran, wife of a military retiree. "I am so happy I almost wet my pants."
Just before her visit, Sarah posted this on her Facebook page:
Worthy American Heroes - Reminding Us What Really Matters
Ready and anxious to see America’s finest at Ft. Hood tomorrow. My heart is with every military mom, dad, spouse, child, grandparent... every supporter of our proud men and women in uniform.
My brother passed the following along to me because he thought I’d like it; he was right. Enjoy... and please honor America’s finest.
- Sarah Palin
The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father’s, but he has never collected unemployment either.
He’s a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and a 155mm howitzer.
He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.
He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.
He can march until he is told to stop, or stop until he is told to march.
He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient.
He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.
He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.
If you’re thirsty, he’ll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He’ll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.
He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands.
He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job. He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay, and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.
He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to ‘square-away’ those around him who haven’t bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking.
In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.
Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.
He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.
Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.
And now we even have women over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so.
As you go to bed tonight, remember this. A short lull, a little shade, and a picture of loved ones in their helmets.
Waco’s KXXV TV has additional video here.
The Austin-American Statesman has a great slideshow here.
One thing is very clear, as a former Commander-In-Chief, with a son of her own in the army, Sarah has a deep love and respect for the American fighting men and women. One thing else is becoming clear, as well: A whole lot of people see her as the next Commander-In-Chief of those brave men and women.
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