27 Jun 2026
Today citizens across our nation participated in “All of U.S. 250”, a nationwide mobilization for truth, equality & freedom. One of those citizens was Richard. He is recovering from a broken hip but still walked a half mile with his "Rollator" to join us today … in 90+ degrees, no shade. He sat in his “Rollator”, held up his sign, chatted, shared his candy, - and, most importantly, showed up. Richard rocks!
This, the 250th Anniversary of our Declaration of Independence, sees our country at an unprecedented crossroads. Our nation should be coming together to celebrate all that we are, how far we have come, and commit to finishing the work to make our United States a “more perfect union.” We should be celebrating freedom and equality for ALL, instead the current administration – Executive, Legislative, & Judicial branches- are intent on dividing us. They are attacking our foundational ideals. Enough is enough.
Our Founding Fathers wrote: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
They then concluded with these words: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
250 years later, the current administration is not pledging their lives, fortunes, or honor to ALL of U.S. They strive through words and actions to divide us based upon skin color, religion, political opinion, gender, sexual orientation, or country of origin. Their mindset is division not union.
In contrast, We the People look upon our fellow Americans as an extension of ourselves. While this can be a hefty challenge, we still believe it is an American value to consider every person in this country to be as worthy of our support and protection, whether they are “like us” or not. We are standing up for a future of freedom for ALL of U.S.
Vigilance. Resistance. Persistence.
20 Jun 2026
Despite current events, I had an uplifting week - Rise Up, Sing Out, the Opening Ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center, Saturday Sign Waving, people honking, thumbs up, and waving! Yes, it is hot and sweaty but somehow the man who likes to talk about the Federalist Papers stood next to me again while the percussionists kept up the beat behind us…
“GET A JOB!” Believe me, I have heard A LOT of profanity, obscenity, and, due to the Doppler Effect, lots of unintelligible yelling accompanied by facial expressions that almost defy description. When agitators drive by and yell, - “Get a job!” - I always smile. Do they know the employment status of every single person? Perhaps they think that phrase is a “zinger” - that their words will invalidate and intimidate us? Nope, not today!
We have been protesting peacefully every Saturday for over a year. We have heard and seen many agitators. Yet, we aren’t rioting, damaging property, or physically attacking people. Nope, not on ANY day!
“What you have experienced, no power on earth can take from you.” – Viktor Frankl
I find agitators’ attempts at intimidation an interesting experience. It doesn’t necessarily make me “tougher”, instead it softens me. Looking at their contorted facial expressions, I am open to the reality that their words and actions indicate that they are not well - they are suffering. They have chosen to respond to peaceful, non-violent protests with anger, hatred, and aggression.
Protesting has been a life-changing choice of action for me. Even when agitators attempt to intimidate me, I KNOW I have a choice. I have “the last of human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” 🙏🙏
Yep, EVERY day!
Vigilance. Resistance. Persistence.
13 Jun 2026
Hot today – 95 degrees, no shade BUT we had great music!!
“The American flag, far from being a mere symbol or a piece of cloth, is an embodiment of our hopes, freedom, and unity.” - General Norman Schwarzkopf
Tomorrow is Flag Day! I am starting my celebration a day early with my Bennington Flag. I received this flag from my grandmother who displayed it outside her home 50 years ago during our Bicentennial. Oral tradition claims that the flag was carried by Nathaniel Fillmore (grandfather of President Millard Fillmore) at the 1777 Battle of Bennington - hence its name. It was revived during the War of 1812 to evoke revolutionary fervor and was displayed during the 1876 Centennial Exposition and again during our Bicentennial in 1976. (For more detailed information about the flag, click BENNINGTON MUSEUM)
While the designs may differ, both the Bennington Flag and the standard American Flag are entirely free of British icons, symbolizing a complete, definitive break from the crown ("No Kings!!"). Both celebrate American independence and, most importantly, they both embody “our hopes, freedom, and unity.”
Unfortunately, “our hopes, freedom, and unity” are at risk due to political corruption - a president, responsible for the country’s good - the good of the people, instead is acting to obtain financial and illegal benefits for himself, his family, and his friends – in violation of Article I, Section 9, Clause 7 ("Emoluments Clause”) and Article II, Section 1, Clause 8 (Oath of Office). In this situation, citizens are obligated to use THEIR Constitutional First Amendment rights of speech, assembly, and petition to demand this administration uphold our Constitution.
Finally, “Stormin’ Norman” also said, “Any soldier worth his salt should be antiwar; and still there are things worth fighting for." Decades ago, I swore an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States – there is no expiration date. Little did I know I would defend it on American soil. Our Constitution is still one of those “things worth fighting for.
Vigilance. Resistance. Persistence.
6 Jun 2026
"They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate."
-- President Franklin D. Roosevelt's official address announcing the D-Day invasion, 6 Jun 1944
Eighty-two years ago, my Granduncle Edward Niemiec, a rifleman, landed on Utah Beach. He was a member of the 359th Infantry, which then went on to fight fascism across Europe. Uncle Ed was eventually wounded but he survived, and his meritorious service was recognized with a Bronze Star and Purple Heart Medal. Uncle Ed, like all service members, risked his life in the fight against Nazi fascism. Today we honor their sacrifices and suffering. We especially remember the fallen who paid the ultimate price of freedom for the people of Europe.
Others were fighting fascism, too, even before D-Day. American citizens living in Europe supported the Allied cause, risked their lives, and many died. They were resisters. They were ANTIFA. Here are just two examples:
Mildred Harnack, an assistant lecturer in English and American literature at the University of Berlin, was the only American in the leadership of a German resistance group. She had an opportunity to escape to the United States, but she didn’t leave. In 1932, Mildred and her husband Arvid began to resist Nazi fascism. They created a “book club” which intersected with three other anti-fascist (ANTIFA) resistance groups passing information to the Allies. Mildred and Arvid were arrested. Initially she was sentenced to six years in prison, but Hitler refused to endorse the sentence and ordered a new “trial”, which resulted in a death sentence. Mildred was beheaded by guillotine on 16 Feb 1943. Arvid was hanged. Mildred was the only American in Germany executed for resistance activities.
Sumner Jackson, an American physician and WWI veteran, his Swiss-born-naturalized-American wife, Toquette, and their son, Phillip, lived in Paris, where Dr. Jackson was head surgeon at the American Hospital. The Jacksons had the opportunity to leave Paris before the Nazis invaded but chose to stay. As a family, they decided to assist the French Resistance by hiding members of the resistance in the hospital. Sumner, Toquette, and Phillip were arrested. They were separated from one another and suffered horribly in concentration camps. As the British army approached Sumner’s camp, the SS began shooting prisoners. Sumner was shot and killed. Toquette and Phillip survived.
Eighty-two years ago, a massive military coalition landed in Europe to fight fascism. Already on the continent were heroic individuals and small groups engaged in active resistance. Both fought fascism with extreme courage.
May we never forget. Honor the fallen. Fight for the living.
Vigilance. RESISTANCE! Persistence.
