Palin on Reagan: He was "America's Lifeguard"
by Sarah Palin as published in USA Today, January 24, 2011
"We were told that we must accept that the era of American greatness was over; but with his optimism and common sense, President Reagan held up a mirror to the American soul to remind us of our exceptionalism."
I had the privilege of coming of age during the era of Ronald Reagan. I like to think of him as America's lifeguard. As a teenager, Ronald Reagan saved 77 lives as a lifeguard on the Rock River, which ran through his hometown of Dixon, Ill. The day he was inaugurated in 1981, a local radio announcer famously declared, "The Rock River flows for you tonight, Mr. President."
The image of the lifeguard seems to represent what Reagan was to America and to the freedom-loving people of the world. He lifted our country up at a time when we were in the depths of economic, cultural and spiritual malaise. We were told that we must accept that the era of American greatness was over; but with his optimism and common sense, President Reagan held up a mirror to the American soul to remind us of our exceptionalism.
Reagan as lifeguard on Rock River in 1926
Reagan showed us that despite a deep recession, there could still be morning in America. He could speak to the economic troubles facing ordinary Americans because he understood what it was like to live through a Great Depression where families scraped to get by. And yet, he saw us recover from our Great Depression, and under his leadership we experienced the greatest peacetime economic boom in our history. He could speak to our fears that our years as a superpower were over, because he understood what it was like to see America at war and really fear that we might lose. And yet, he saw us win two world wars, and under his leadership we won the Cold War without firing a single shot. Reagan's belief in American greatness was rooted in historic fact, not blind optimism. He was a sunny optimist because he knew that our best days are yet to come.
Reagan at Brandenburg Gate, West Germany, 1987
Today, when we hear the worry in the voices of Americans wondering where the jobs will be for our children and grandchildren and wondering if the world will be safe and prosperous in the years to come, we should remember Reagan's faith in our inherent heroism and greatness. When we see people around the globe looking to the White House for leadership, we should remember Reagan's steel spine. He understood America's purpose in this world and what we need to do to secure liberty. As Margaret Thatcher said of him, "He sought to mend America's wounded spirit, to restore the strength of the free world, and to free the slaves of communism." He sought those things and he succeeded.
This year, as we celebrate the centennial of Reagan's birth, let's remember the lifeguard from the Rock River who rescued us with his optimism and common sense. We need more lifeguards like him.
-Sarah Palin
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Author's Note:
Prayer is our spiritual oxygen, and just as oxygen is vital to natural life, so is prayer vital to spiritual life. We need to pray regularly and continually for Governor Sarah Palin and her family as she "lifeguards" to protect our country's future. Her message of American exceptionalism breathes new life --- oxygen --- into our belief that we are the greatest nation on earth. God bless you, Governor Palin.
Governor Palin is "America's Oxygen"
"Pray at all times --- on every occasion, in every season-- in the Spirit with all manner of prayer and entreaty." - Ephesians 6:18
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Dr. Ed Holliday: Meeting Sarah Palin
Written by Dr. Edward T. Holliday
Photos courtesy of O.P. Ditch, USAF Veteran
On August 28, I was in Washington D.C. participating along with thousands of Americans summoned by Glenn Beck of Fox News Channel to the Restoring Honor Rally held at the Lincoln Memorial. My personal estimation is that there were likely 900,000 to 1,000,000 patriotic people present, especially when you count the hundreds who came but left because of the large crowd.
Restoring Honor Rally at the Lincoln Memorial
Thousands gather to honor the U.S. Military
It was indeed an honor and a privilege to be on stage when Dr. Alveda King spoke as she honored her uncle on the 47th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s world-changing “I Have a Dream” speech. Alveda had asked me to travel to Washington, D.C. and stand with her as she spoke. Because I was a part of Alveda’s group I was allowed access to the “green room” where the participants (except Governor Sarah Palin who was at a different location) waited in an air-conditioned tent.
I was disappointed that Sarah was not in our tent, but my eyes were fixated on the monitors as she addressed the crowd, not as a politician, but as the mother of a soldier. Sarah’s speech had the multitudes gathered at the Reflection Pool cheering and clapping with thunderous applause, and there was also excited applause coming from those of us waiting inside the tent. She was exceptionally marvelous as she brought honor to our men and women in uniform.
Gov. Sarah Palin takes the stage
I was not nervous about being in front of more than half a million people or thinking about the millions watching by television and internet. I was not even nervous when Alveda told me backstage, “Now Ed, when we are singing out there today, I want you to 'release your spirit'." I guess she knew I was Southern Baptist and might be a little stiff. Admittedly, I have been known to clap off-beat on occasion.
Dr. Ed Holliday (third from right) stands with Dr. Alveda King and guests
As Alveda and I with her other friends and singers descended the steps to join her on stage, the thought hit me: I am going to be the only white person with ten black Americans on stage before the nation. I was thinking that the entire audience was going to be saying inside their heads: Does this white man have any rhythm? With those thoughts running through my mind as we assembled on stage, I did get nervous. Then when I noticed that Alveda’s two special singers were not behind the podium as I thought that they would be, but directly beside me I thought: Oh, no, when I am clapping my hands I cannot be offbeat. As the music started I noticed in my right eye’s peripheral vision Pastor Hoye’s (I stood beside his wife) outstretched hands keeping a steady and firm beat.
It was then that I noticed a steady and perfect beat from my left eye’s peripheral vision by an audience member on the front row. That person was Sarah Palin.
Sarah has rhythm and soul. I watched her inconspicuously lift her hand (not her arm) in praise. She inspired me to lift my arm and hand in praise and even give my arm a little back-and-forth wave. Suddenly the crowd began waving their arms back and forth in the air causing a ripple effect throughout the masses.
Gov. Sarah Palin, proud mom of U.S Army combat vet, Track Palin
Following the lead of "Sister Sarah" and "Brother Walter", I think I did pretty good keeping time with the music. So thank you Sarah Palin for helping me fulfill Alveda's request to “release my spirit” during worship.
At the end of the event the 240 Black Robe Brigade and others came up for the final song. Tears rolled down as I thought of Dr. King’s dream of one day when, “Black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics,” would stand together and sing. I followed my leader (Dr. Robert Smith, an African American pastor from Little Rock, Arkansas) up on to the stage to our final position. I turned to discover that I was on the second row right smack in the middle and just behind Glenn Beck. As the bagpipes were playing “Amazing Grace”, Alveda King and Sarah Palin were brought into place right in front of me. I could not have planned this moment better myself in a million years. God surely had His hand of blessing on me this day.
Gov. Sarah Palin, Dr. Alveda King and friends bowing their heads in reverence to God
During Vietnam Veteran Dave Roever’s ending prayer as he called for a welcoming home of all Vietnam Veterans, applause broke out in the crowd. I opened my eyes as I was looking down and the first thing I saw was Sarah Palin’s French-manicured toe nails which perfectly complimented her high heeled shoes. She is as beautiful in person as she is on television. After Dave's prayer I was thinking that if ZZ Top were to write a song called Sharp Dressed Woman, the star of that song would be Sarah Palin.
I did get to meet Sarah immediately after the rally for a brief moment. She was as gracious as she was beautiful, and I believe the reason she glows with steadfast confidence is because she has a heart of gold and a desire to serve God Almighty.
As Glenn Beck was dismissing the crowd asking them to share the day’s message of honor and restoration, everyone on stage seemed to move toward Sarah. I witnessed first-hand her grace as she signed autographs and smiled for photos. I even took a few pictures for people as they stood beside her. She never faltered in being polite, gracious, and always she was beautiful, in control, and looked very (dare I say it?) presidential. Okay. I said it. Maybe I am getting carried away here, but she does have “that certain something” lacking from other leaders.
Gov. Sarah Palin warmly greets guests
Sarah even listened with interest as my friend, Mississippi Republican Congressional candidate, Bill Marcy, invited her to Mississippi and requested her help with his commonsense conservative election campaign. Sarah kindly and graciously gave him her contact information.
But God popped my pride of finally meeting Sarah because when I put my arm around her shoulder for a photo, I told the person taking the picture the wrong button to push on my video camera. I wanted to kick myself when I got back to the hotel and discovered I did not have the picture of me with Sarah, but after a day like this, how could I be disappointed? I decided to celebrate the victories and not concentrate on the bungled photo op with Sarah. Now people will just have to take my word for it. But I do have the memory.
Gov. Sarah Palin speaking the truth with boldness
Thank you Sarah for the hope, love, and charity you have brought to America. Thank you for inspiring so many men and women and children across our great nation. God bless you and your family.
Indeed America, God has shed his grace on thee.
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The People for Palin graciously thanks Dr. Ed Holliday, author of Walk With Me, A Patriot's Guide from the Boston Tea Party to Sharing Today's TEA Party Revolution, for sharing his thoughts on meeting Gov. Sarah Palin at the Restoring Honor Rally as a guest of Dr. Alveda King. Dr. Holliday extends a personal invitation for you to join him each Monday for Doc Holliday's Tea Party.
Doc Holliday’s Tea Party with Dr. Ed Holliday
Dr. Holliday is the author of Walk with Me: A Patriot’s Guide from the Boston Tea Party to Sharing Today’s Tea Party Revolution and The 21st Century Great Awakening. He is a leader in “Mission Mississippi”, a statewide Christian organization that seeks unity across racial and denominational lines. He has worked with the Coalition of African American Pastors (CAAP) and has supported key conservative values on the local, state, and national levels. He actively works for racial reconciliation and pursues community excellence. Dr. Holliday is in many professional and Christian organizations and enjoys speaking, writing and working to promote conservative values.
He is very active in his community where he is the volunteer director of dental services for the Good Samaritan Free Clinic and is co-chair of the local chapter of Mission Mississippi. He attends Harrisburg Baptist Church in Tupelo and serves in several ministries and on several boards that contribute to make his community a better place for all people.
Dr. Holliday graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1983 and its School of Dentistry in 1987. He currently practices general dentistry in Tupelo, Mississippi. His wife, Leslie, and he have four children, ages 12, 9, 7, and 5.
Although he has not been able to document direct kinship to the original dentist called Doc Holliday, this Doc Holliday does like shooting from the hip—with words.
Special thanks to O.P. Ditch of Vets4Sarah for sharing his personal photos of the Restoring Honor Rally to highlight this article. Our country will forever be grateful to you, O.P., as well as to all the brave men and women in uniform whose selfless service to our country keep it possible for us to assemble in peace. God bless you, Sir.
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Kristen Vander-Plas: Palin in Texas "Good Family Values Produce Patriots"
by Kristen Vander-Plas
Please note: Kristen Vander-Plas is the Founding president of Lubbock Christian University College Republicans. Kristen is not a spokesperson for Lubbock Christian School but an interested student and attendee of the school's January 24, 2011 fundraiser featuring Governor Sarah Palin.
Last night, I attended the private fundraiser for Lubbock Christian School, headlined by Gov. Sarah Palin. LCS is a pre-K through 12 private Christian school that services the South Plains of Texas providing caring, Christian and one-on-one support to the students enrolled. LCS put on a great event, and all of the attendees enjoyed themselves.Gov. Palin spent a majority of her time speaking about how important the family is to the restoration of America. She reiterated that our founders did not mention family in the Constitution because they considered it to be a given - that good family values produce patriots and, in her words, "small 'r' republicans."Additionally, Gov. Palin touched on the importance of education. When asked what she would have changed about her school career and time in college, she responded that she has always wished that she had continued on to law school or somewhere to further her education with a master's degree. She commended the teachers, parents, and mentors associated with LCS and encouraged them to continue the great work they are doing of touching and affecting lives for Christ and country.As a junior at Lubbock Christian University and the Founding president of the College Republicans on campus, I thoroughly enjoyed the "Conversation with Sarah Palin." She was every bit a polished speaker and compassionate guest. From recognizing the members of the military in the audience to agreeing to even come to the event after numerous threats were made against her (from across the country), Gov. Palin was an excellent choice to represent the values and core beliefs that we as Texans hold dear. She reminded us that Texas and Alaska are so very similar in the fact that we encourage our children to grow with God and in grace, and teach our young people to value hard work and patriotism. It was gratifying to hear one that I admire so much speak words that resonate with me - as they are the same words my parents taught me to hold dear to my heart.Well done, Gov. Palin! Thanks for standing up for the American people!
Kristen Vander-PlasPresident, LCU College Republicans
The People for Palin graciously thanks Kristen Vander-Plas for sharing her personal account of "Conversation with Sarah Palin" as an attendee at the Lubbock, Texas event. Kristen and the LCU College Republicans are the future of America leading us on to that "shining city on a hill".
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