Local author lauds Patriot Festival celebration

Dear Editor:

As a non-Holly person, I want to thank everyone involved in the Constitution Day event.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and want so very much to share my unique perspective.

The speeches and entertainment were all absolutely perfect.  The entire concept by Judge Warren to “Raise Awareness” is, in my book, the exact correct thing to do.  The clout and warmth of WJR’s John McCulloch brought strength and validity to it all.  The stamina and guts of capitalist John LaCroix, Jr. (of the Great Lakes shops) was commendable, especially with his willingness to allow a local artist, me, to sell my wares.

However, before I continue I need to mention two negatives.  I witnessed two different ladies fall due to uneven terrain, a low spot in the dirt around a tree insert in the sidewalk, and an uneven badly cracked sidewalk, the latter resulting in a visit by two EMS vehicles.  Please make the sidewalks safer for those who might be busy noticing other things.

Secondly, there was regretfully poor attendance for the event.  Perhaps adequate advertising was curtailed?  Perhaps for fear of “Tea Party” folks?

I believe that I may have been the most blatant “Tea Party” type of person, even though I’m not affiliated with any “Tea Party” nor have I attended any “Tea Party” events.

I also believe that I experienced the day in Holly as intensely as anyone in that I may have had the most “controversial” items on display.  One t-shirt reads “The Constitution was supposed to protect us from an out of control government.  Now what do we do?”  I may have heard some of the most diverse and deep opinions of all in attendance, estimating that maybe half of all who passed on the sidewalk did stop to look and/or comment.  Only one person stated that “It’s too political for me” but other comments were very meaningful, concerned, even colorful, and all were clearly heartfelt.  Thus I can assure everyone that patriotism is alive and well.

Finally, what affected ME most, and nearest and dearest to MY heart, were the two young ladies who spoke on stage, both Leah Warren and the high school sophomore who was the only student charismatic enough to write then perform a speech displaying her patriotism - Rowan Gauthier.   These two ladies are exactly who I, personally, have been looking for.  The centerpiece of my reasons for attending the event was for “book signing” of the book I wrote, What Every 18 yr. Old Needs To Know; A primer for the political novice.

My book was designed to inspire and/or motivate a country full of people like those two well-mannered and courageous young ladies, to spark the patriotic gene, and to continue in my efforts to engage in one of the things that means the most to me, namely fighting for the American spirit, the American dream, and freedom.

While Judge Warren spoke of “Raising Awareness,” I’m determined to take it to the next step.


And kudos, Holly, you did good.


Sincerely,
Paul Kane
White Lake Township, MI