A month ago I responded to an invitation from the National TEA Party Organization. I was merely expressing interest in participating but soon I began getting requests for information and offers of support. Confused, I went to the site and found I was listed as an organizer for Idaho Falls. Talk about shock! I would never have put myself in this position as I still haven't fully gotten my Idaho Falls legs under me.
Claigh and I met with others who had expressed interest, came up with an agenda, enjoyed some tasties and each went our way with a share of the responsibilities. Andi Elliot had already done some ground work and we chose her as our chairman. None of us knew of each other prior to that night. This was as Grass-Roots as it gets!
The week leading up to the event was quite challenging. Some of those who had taken a share in responsibilities had to back out in the last moments leaving us in quite a lurch. There were many strains that nearly pulled us apart. I found myself earnestly pleading with Heavenly Father to show us the way. By this time there were so many who we had personally invited and involved and I felt great concern for upholding the trust they had placed in Claigh and I as we encouraged their participation.
One step at a time, one crisis in a moment - That's how we kept moving forward. We began with a planned group for the posting of the colors. - That fell apart with the beginning of what would become the struggle against the mud-slinging of those who wanted to silence our voices. Sound Equipment that had been arranged for was no longer available. (Thankfully Andi and her husband worked that one out!)Monday evening and I still did not have someone to post colors or someone to say the prayer. These were two elements of our event that I felt were critical! The weather took a sharp turn back to cold and the forecast for Wednesday was for wind and rain/snow.
Media was very slow to respond with the exception of talk radio. (A special thanks to Mark and Mel Richardson of "Probing America" and Neil Larson. Stephanie Goodson, a freelance reporter also had our backs.) Wednesday morning the local newspaper that has gone the liberal way of many of the nations publications, published a very disparaging editorial. Isn't it interesting that when conservatives control a newspaper, both sides are heard and when the liberals do, one side is disparaged and/or ignored?
The end of the story - through networking with great people who had contacted me via the national website I was privileged to be meet Bob Reinisch, a disc-jockey for Calvary Church and a member of the Submarine Veterans Association Inc. Bob graciously offered to say the prayer. Bob is the great great (who knows how many greats)grandson of a man who actually participated in the first Boston Tea Party and then went on to fight in the Revolutionary War. How wonderful is that!Through another contact, Nadene Powell, we were put in touch with Wayne Schnieder of The American Legion Post 56 here in Idaho Falls. Nadene is the care-taker of an elderly father and would not be able to attend and leave him for the extended time it would take to party. What a true support she became! She is really the one who worked out the details to have the American Legion participate. This was a true answer to prayer. She even made some posters for others to hold during the event and I am sure it was a direct answer to her prayers and the prayers of others that the wind and rain let up for an hour during our gathering time. The Veterans were wonderful and posted five flags. They looked so good in their uniforms. How we love our Veterans!
I arrived at the site early to help with set up. Andi and her husband John had done so much to get things in order during the day there was very little left for me to do to help. (I had spent the morning by the phone and computer fielding last minute details and requests for information and last minute media inquires etc.) Andi did a great job with the media interviews we arranged throughout the two weeks proceeding the event and day of as well.
By the time our actual TEA party began, I was thoroughly chilled, quite wet and totally straggly. However, the cause was very important to all who came that bad weather would not keep us away. True patriots show up and the spirit and energy was such a thrill to be a part of. We ended up with what was estimated to be 1,000 to 1,200 people, united in our plea for responsible and responsive government, waving flags and pledging our allegiance. There was nothing professional about our singing of the National Anthem or God Bless America but there was something profoundly moving as our heartfelt voices rang into the chilled air.
All three local stations were their with their satellite trucks to report. The police were every bit as good as those who defend us can be. Memorial Drive had to be closed of due to the size of our crowd. Andi had kept the police department in the loop. Not having any idea of how many we would end up with made it difficult for them to plan but they were ready to take care of us.Mel Richardson, our guest speaker was marvelous. He has a long history of service as a true patriot and has served in many government positions including representing Idaho as a Senator. For me however, his greatest contributions come through his faithful role as husband and father. He has given much in church service as well. Mel is a man who loves this country and the constitution upon which it was founded. He spoke to us of the need to be a moral people and the need to make our voices heard not just that night but through the coming days, weeks and months through contact with government officials. He urged us to be strong in our voice that "Enough is Enough!" Mel was introduced by his son Mark Richardson and together they provide the program "Probing America" on 1260 a.m. here in Idaho Falls.
The only negative in our evening was that when Mel asked for some of those attending to come forward and express their thoughts, one man who is planning a run for political office took the mike to promote himself. He even ignored Mel's plea that he not make the evening about politics. What a mistake! He certainly did not get it! This is the problem with so many politicians. Thankfully, after being met with boo's he gave up the mike and we were quickly back to the purpose that united us as Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, and Independents.Alyssa also took the opportunity to express her purpose in attending the TEA Party. She said that she was there was there to show that her age group was not apathetic and that they were aware of what was happening. Her comments were powerful. I had camera in hand but was lost in what she was saying and realized as she was stepping down, I had missed the chance to get her picture with Senator Ricardson.
Rebecca Bohman had prepared three large posters of The Declaration of Independence for participants to sign. Others joined in to help her with the logistics right there when it was needed. We added our signatures to those of our founders and they will be mailed into D.C. Bob Gorgoglione is a man who loves the constitution and he had prepared a one page information sheet that was handed out.
Our program concluded with the tossing of "TEA Bag" into the Snake River as a symbol of our demand to be "represented."
God Bless America!
