I'll Fight for Freedom
by Bruce Johnson
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"...[T]he
positive energy of 42,715 like-minded freedom fighters have lifted my spirit and
strengthened my resolve..." |
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Ted Nugent and Bruce |
Reno, Nevada was abuzz with the excitement of freedom in April, as
42,715 NRA members gathered for the Annual Meeting of Members. In addition
to the wonderful activities that were too numerous to describe, there was
an ever-present message: this fight will not be won or lost; it is
a war of "eternal vigilance!"
Charlton Heston, Kayne Robinson, Sandy Froman, and many other of our
leaders and guests said it in many different ways. Wayne LaPierre said it
very well, "Freedom is ours to possess, and protect, and pass on. Pure,
EVP Wayne LaPierre |
whole and intact. Neither our Creator nor the Constitution gives us
authority to do anything less than that."
Wayne went on to say, "The quality of
freedom my ancestors bought with their blood is not mine to squander. It's mine
to preserve ... I'm the NRA, and I'll fight for freedom."
Sen. Zell Miller (D-GA) |
Members' Banquet keynote speaker, Senator Zell Miller (D-GA), said "Vigilance is
not passive. It is active. Freedom is not a spectator sport for which we
cheer from the stands. We - Americans - have to get in the game." Senator
Miller continued, "It's been said that if you want to really know America, you
have to know baseball. As an ardent fan of the Second Amendment, I can say this
- If you really want to know about defending freedom, you have to know members
of the National Rifle Association!"
"I urge everyone here in this room to talk to
a young person about America's liberty. Talk to them about the Second
Amendment's meaning of freedom. If we don't do that, I can promise you no
one else will."
Claude Willoughby and Bruce |
Ninety-seven year old freedom fighter, Claude Willoughby - the oldest life
member in attendance at the Meeting of Members - also gave an eloquent
reminder of the need to defend our children's rights, and challenged us
with, "we did half a job last election, we must do more next election."
There was much good news also:
- Polls since 9/11 show the majority of Americans
have a favorable view of the NRA.
- The number of legal scholars and courts
decisions defending the Second Amendment is growing.
- President Bush was elected
with our help and is slowly undoing some of the damage from the Clinton
administration.
- Our membership is at an all-time high and we hope to hit 5
million members by Election Day.
- Michael Bellisiles is under investigation for
"academic misconduct" due to his fraudulent book, "Arming America".
- Most of
the gun-control groups are hurting financially and are desperately seeking
attention.
The fun exhibits, abundant good news, calls for eternal vigilance, and the
positive energy of 42,715 like-minded freedom fighters have lifted my spirit and
strengthened my resolve to live up to the theme of this year's Annual Meeting of
Members. I hope you'll join us in spreading this contagious attitude and
message: "I'll Fight For Freedom!"
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