Hayden T Collins Sr WWII

Memorial Day is the day I remember my father, family members and my soldiers – the ones who have passed before me, for whom I carry the torch after they are gone – and my children, who will carry the torch as I am ready to lay it down. This is as much a family day for us as it is a national holiday, as we remember all our family members who have served and passed, as well as members who are currently serving.

 This day unites all of us.  The day is set aside for all Americans to live in remembrance of those who have sacrificed to serve and defend the Constitution of the United States.

 Remember and think of them, for some gave all.

It is remarkable what we can do when we make a stand.  Representative Barry Loudermilk was honored with the Sanctity of Life Award at this week’s meeting of the Bartow Republican Women, for writing and guiding the Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act through Georgia’s legislative process to become a law this year.  The women’s group recognized him for making a stand in fighting for and protecting women’s rights.

With this example of an individual who recognized another’s struggle and made the commitment to stand beside them, I found myself reminded – by running into a fellow soldier at this meeting who served with Berlin brigade at the same time I did – of President Kennedy’s stand with the people of West Berlin, living in the shadow of the newly-built Berlin Wall.  His “Ich bein ein Berliner” speech made a stand with them, saying that he too was a Berliner in spirit as they faced down the peril of the Cold War.

The highlight of the Bartow Republican Women’s meeting was the documentary about the Tea Party movement.  It showed the September 12, 2009 protest march in Washington DC – which may have been the largest number of protesters ever in our nation’s capitol – taking their stand against government control of health care, cap & trade policies, and higher taxes.  It shows the commitment of the Tea Party members who didn’t like their taxes being raised and education funding being cut, because elected officials decided it was easier to cut education than to make a difficult decision.  It’s not their money, it’s our tax money, and it’s being misused.

I will stand with the Tea Party supporters.  I am running for office because I too am a protestor, I’m tired of taxes, tired of education being cut, and tired of seeing my tax dollars perpetuating big government.  For everyone in Bartow County who’s watching Fox News and hollering about what’s going on, I want to make a stand and be your champion.