Then there was the crowd. That I stood in the company of 500,000-plus American Patriots will [...]]]> I doubt much else in my life has fed my soul the way 8.28 did. I couldn’t be more thankful for Glenn Beck and the stellar group of God-loving patriots he brought together for this event. God bless you all.

Then there was the crowd. That I stood in the company of 500,000-plus American Patriots will stay with me forever. And if you were there in person or spirit, I suspect you know exactly what I’m talking about.

For me, it was like watching the final missing pieces be locked into the puzzle. It also verified what I’d been thinking over the past year, in many respects.  We have to re-discover who we are. That it requires a dose of courage would grossly understate the matter. But Glenn reminded us there are three keys to this:

Faith, Hope and Charity.

As irony would have it, these values aren’t always easily attained.But at some point, we all come to a crossroads. We decide what we’re willing to do. And we decide if we will pledge to each other our lives, fortunes and sacred honor  – or not.

In the days following the Restoring Honor rally, Glenn announced that he’d been contacted by the Smithsonian. They wanted to collect whatever they could to record the events of 8.28 for the generations to follow.

One would be hard-pressed to argue that what we were a part of last weekend will not go down in history.

But the story doesn’t end there. History isn’t done, yet. Because if it is, we’ve done nothing but make a momentary mark on the year 2010.

Our work is just beginning. And only with a firm reliance on Divine Providence can we pledge our lives, fortunes and sacred honor. Only with a firm reliance on Divine Providence can we return to Faith, Hope and Charity.

I suspect the road ahead won’t be easy. But worth it? Well, as Glenn is fond of saying, “Oh the tales we’ll tell.”

God Bless America.

What is freedom worth to Americans? Is it worth the loss of friends or a job? Is it worth the loss of a home or car or societal status? Is it worth everything? Worth your life?

It’s a question that certainly must have challenged more than a [...]]]>

Third Herd, Iraq 2005 photo courtesy of John McCullouch

What is freedom worth to Americans? Is it worth the loss of friends or a job? Is it worth the loss of a home or car or societal status? Is it worth everything? Worth your life?

It’s a question that certainly must have challenged more than a few of our founders.

“What if?” they must have said. “A free Republic had never been tried. Not like this.”

Today, many Americans find themselves once again asking. “What if?”

It is on my heart, especially today, to remember another group of men who gave their answer.

Third Herd’s Bravo Team left the wire on August 22, 2005 for a reconnaissance mission at a chemical compound. They’d been stationed in Balad, Iraq for nine months – more than enough time to tally up hundreds of miles patrolled, dozens of combat raids, more than a handful of IED attacks, and a suicide bomber.

They’d been lucky, this Tennessee Army National Guard platoon. Comprised of construction and factory workers, a Marine and an Army Ranger, a high school teacher and football coach who’d led his players to a football state championship, they may have seemed an unlikely group.

In that respect, they weren’t unlike our founding fathers – they weren’t unlike those of us attending tea parties, freedom rallies and town hall meetings.

Moreover, they were us.

They were Americans, whose love of country – of liberty – trumped their personal lots in life.

Each time they left the wire, thoughts of “what if” certainly entered their minds.

But they always left the wire.

No one could have known that two anti-tank mines would be detonated under the point vehicle that day.

No one could have known that the lives of two soldiers would end, that one would lose his leg and another would be thrown clear.

Yet those who lived answered the call that day. They knew the price of freedom – a call so great they were willing to die for it. Those who lived carry the cause – for their fallen brothers and for the Republic.

Vic Lieurance and Joey Hunt answered as well, that day. They answered with their lives.

Could it be that we approach a similar crossroads today? Where we as American citizens ask ourselves, “what if?” Where we ask ourselves about the call – and cost – of freedom? Not with violence or guns or hatred. But with knowledge, boldness and courage.

Liberty asked each of them one question, that day: “What if?”

On August 22, 2005, Bravo Team answered simply.

“Yes,” they’d said. “Even then.”

In the name of our Republic, in honor of those who’ve gone before us, with the spirit of freedom that lives within us, may we, too, answer in the affirmative.

“Even then.”

In memory and honor of Vic and Joey, and their families who carry on. And with unwavering respect for Third Herd. May their love of God, family, country and freedom live inside us all, that we may never forget the cost. I love you guys…

Charles Stanton was a radioman on the USS Waldron, or the “Bloody W” as the sailors [...]]]> Although August 15, 1945, was before my time, this kiss was for years the image that always popped into my head. I still think about it, but conversations with one WWII veteran in particular have left me with other images.

Charles Stanton was a radioman on the USS Waldron, or the “Bloody W” as the sailors were fond of calling it. He recalled August 15 with clarity – 1,000 planes had headed toward Tokyo after a dawn launch that day, reaching their targets only to be called back to their carriers. As they landed, President Truman declared the war over.

While there was a sense of relief onboard, the Waldron continued to shoot down five enemy planes and endure numerous alerts immediately thereafter, “making the good news hard to believe.” Nevertheless, Stanton and his fellow sailors, stationed in enemy waters, celebrated Victory over Japan with the rest of the free world.

Victory had not come without sacrifice, though. Well more than 400,000 servicemen had lost their lives. Tens of thousands were missing in action. Please remember the sacrifices made by them all – sacrifices made so that freedom does not perish from the earth.

As we once again face that threat – not only from outside our borders, but from within them as well – remember those who’ve paid the ultimate price. Let’s see to it that their sacrifices over the years has not been made in vain.

More than 200 years after those words were spoken, one could view his words as prophetic at the least. As well, they must come as a wake-up, [...]]]> At the close of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Benjamin Franklin said that the work of our founding fathers had given us a Republic… “if [we] could keep it.”

More than 200 years after those words were spoken, one could view his words as prophetic at the least. As well, they must come as a wake-up, lest we lose the Republic.

We aren’t here today because of luck. We are here because for more than 200 years, men and women have been willing to fight to ensure that our unalienable rights endowed by our creator would be secure – among them life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

We are here because the American soldier carries the flag in his heart – a heart inspired by something bigger than financial gains or personal agendas. The soldier carries the flag of freedom – willing to pay any price necessary – in order to ensure that flag doesn’t falter.

The soldier carries the flag in the physical fight when necessary as a part of the best trained and most technologically advanced military in the world. He carries it when he treats the wounded civilians of a tyrannical society. He carries it as he buries fallen comrades.

The soldier carries the quest for freedom – and no price is too dear to pay to achieve that mission.

The flag bearers of the Revolutionary War knew this position as well. Unarmed and on the front line, they had but one call – to carry the flag. That was their weapon.

Such is our case today as American citizens. As citizens of the greatest country on the face of the earth, we aren’t in need of guns or IEDs, cannons or RPGs. We are in need of the flag – not just because of its physical form – but because of what it stands for.

Today, we are called to be flag bearers. Called to remember the Republic that our founders were willing to give their very lives for – a Republic where life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness were non-negotiable.

We’re called on to remember the heart of the soldier – to reinforce through our actions everything each of them stands to fight for and defend on our behalf.

I believe we find ourselves in this moment in time not by happenstance, but by Providence. It is you and I who will determine the answer to Benjamin Franklin’s question. It is ours to decide whether we are worthy of the sacrifices made by our founders and those who have followed.

It is our mission – today and every day that follows.

Declare you Independence.

In the winter of 1969, the sentimental comic Red Skelton treated his television audience to a story from his childhood.

He spoke of the significance of the [...]]]> Note: I ran this column last year, and believe it is worthy – and appropriate – on this Flag Day, as well. May we fly Old Glory high and proud!

In the winter of 1969, the sentimental comic Red Skelton treated his television audience to a story from his childhood.

He spoke of the significance of the Flag of the United States of America, and the Pledge of Allegiance, reminding them that our Pledge is not a tedious recitation of empty words, but a clear and resounding testament of who we are as Americans. Mr. Skelton’s analysis is as timely today as it was 40 years ago. Enjoy!

In the years that have followed, the Hunts have become very dear friends – more like family, really. [...]]]> I met Tim and Marsha Hunt several years ago. We had gathered in Lebanon, TN for bridge dedications honoring the fallen soldiers from Tennessee’s 278th Army National Guard. Among the fallen was their son, Sgt. Joey Hunt.

In the years that have followed, the Hunts have become very dear friends – more like family, really. While I never got to meet Joey, I feel as if he’s my brother. Because of his parents’ love, dedication and strength, Joey’s memory is alive and well.

Please remember all those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice this Memorial Day and every day. Love you, Joey…

For more than a year, they’ve insisted that we are the threat to America. [...]]]> By now, we’re all well-aware of the fact that from the inception of the Tea Party movement, the entire leftist administration and drive-by media immediately jumped to the conclusion that Tea Partiers (so they had a cruder term) were anti-government right-wing fringe.

For more than a year, they’ve insisted that we are the threat to America. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Too bad they choose to ignore the fact that Tea Partiers and other like-minded conservatives are anything but violent – that we’re proud freedom-loving Americans who believe in the principles on which this Republic was founded.

Isn’t it interesting that they have such a difficult time calling out radical Islamists?

In years prior, I believed Islamic terrorism would be the biggest threat America faced.  I stand corrected.

As we know, that’s exactly how things played out – behind closed doors – with all the details of what is now [...]]]> There was no doubt that Pelosi and her henchmen had no plans to let the American public in on the details of the health care reconciliation bill prior to passing it. Remember her words?

As we know, that’s exactly how things played out – behind closed doors – with all the details of what is now law of the land slowly seeping out after the fact. The CLASS Act, inked in two days prior to the March 21 vote, is just another shining example of the snake oil forced upon Americans.

In case the CLASS (Community Living Assistance Services and Support) Act is news to you, it wasn’t included when the Senate passed their bill on Christmas Eve for reasons of fiscal irresponsibility and the like, with Kent Conrad, chair of the Senate Budget Committee going so far as to call it a “ponzi scheme.”

I say when you consider all the government is currently doing (or attempting to do – think health care, cap and tax your ass off, financial reform, etc.) Bernie Madoff is gonna come out looking like a guppy swimming in the ocean. Here’s why:

Beginnning in 2011, Americans who choose the entitlement program will begin paying $150-$250 per month (by the way, that’s per working person, not family). For the first five years, Americans will simply be paying into the system. Only after that time will Americans be eligible to qualify – and they must also be old enough to warrant home health care. Isn’t this special?

If you’re worried about having to get your checkbook out, don’t. It’ll automatically come out of your paycheck.

Add this to a mandate to purchase coverage, the very real possibility of a VAT tax and cap and tax, rising gas and food prices, and the middle class will have no choice but to break under the weight of such legislation.

The picture comes into clearer view each day. The destruction of the middle class is part of the plan – part of the fundamental transformation of America.

And it’s enough to make me nauseous.

I wasn’t laughing last night.

It was quite a scenario to behold, as I conversed with fellow patriots via Facebook and emails.  [...]]]> If anyone had said a few years ago that people from every walk of life and every corner of the country were sitting around watching C-Span on a Sunday night, I’d have laughed out loud.

I wasn’t laughing last night.

It was quite a scenario to behold, as I conversed with fellow patriots via Facebook and emails.  One of my friends temporarily changed over to “The Simpsons”, figuring it would provide more sanity than the halls of Congress were offering.

Just so we’re clear, I’m all for reforming the health insurance system through employing tort reform, opening state borders so the individual can comparison shop and allowing for Health Savings Accounts.

This has nothing to do with health care. It has everything to do with usurping the will of the American people on a Sunday night, in the midst of tens of thousands who’d dropped everything at the last minute in one last effort to get to Washington, DC to say loud and clear, “Kill the Bill.”

But 219 members of the House weren’t listening. Again. They continued to twist arms and cut shady deals, lie to America, lie to themselves in order to push their socialist agenda on an unwilling Republic.

In doing so, they’ve not only awakened the sleeping giant, they’ve annoyed and angered and empowered the giant. My advice would be that you enjoy summer in DC this year. Because in November, you’re going home.