Thousand of Signatures Later, Palin Leaves Fort Bragg
Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer
Nov 23, 2009
After signing books for almost three hours, Sarah Palin rolled out of Fort Bragg this afternoon on her book tour bus.
The signing event ended at about 2:15 p.m., slightly later than scheduled.
Fort Bragg officials said about 4,000 people showed up and as many as 700 were too late to get their copies of the book signed.
The former Alaska governor and vice-presidential candidate spent most of her time signing her name as fast as she could inside copies of her memoir "Going Rogue."
As Palin left, she said she appreciated the soldiers at Fort Bragg and said she that she didn't know what she planned to do in 2012. It's been rumored she'll run for president.
Palin's father, Chuck Heath Sr., spoke to reporters and said he wasn't sure of what her political plans are. But, he said, "you haven't seen the last of her yet."
Palin arrived at Fort Bragg this morning to a media mob and cheers from more than 1,000 people lined up for her book-signing event.
About a dozen people had been waiting since Sunday.
Palin's bus pulled up to the North Post Exchange just after 11:15 a.m. and the former Alaska governor and vice-presidential candidate emerged in a dark outfit to cheers and whistles.
As she passed the collected media, Palin was asked what she was thankful for this holiday season.
"I'm thankful for the U.S. military, the best in the world," she said.
The line to see Palin extended far out the door of the post exchange into the raw, drizzly weather. People stood or sat in folding chairs. Some held umbrellas. Many were reading "Going Rogue." One woman clutched three copies of the book.
Rosemary Haney, 63, spouse of a an army retiree, was first in line at 12:15 p.m. Sunday. She had snacks chairs and blankets and said she slept outside the door on the cement so she could be in line when the door opened at 7 a.m.
"I wanted to see Sarah Palin in person," she said.
Haney said she wanted to get Palin's autograph for her daughter.
Nancy Wrenn, a Fayetteville grandmother, and 44-year-old Bettie Lou Norman were second and third in line.
"I just think Sarah's awesome and I like what she stands for," Norman said.
About 20 reporters from newspapers, TV stations and other outlets are on hand. Fox News anchor Greta Van Susteren is traveling with Palin, Fort Bragg officials said.
Palin's visit was one of many stops on a tour promoting her book. Publisher Harper Collins said Friday that the book sold 300,000 copies its first day, among the best openings ever for a nonfiction book.
Pastor George Lucas, a veteran of the wars in Vietnam and Korea, was among those in line at Fort Bragg.
Lucas said he joined the line Sunday and hasn't slept since. He said he enjoys the fellowship of like minds.
"I'm a strong supporter of Sarah Palin," he said. "We have a mutual kinship in our support for President Ronald Reagan."
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Copyright 2012 by Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer
