Rally sends message of patriotism, conservative values

WASILLA — President George Washington has a challenge for America — get back to the conservative roots that founded the United States.

Speaking through Lynn Gattis — a Mat-Su Borough School District board member dressed as the first president — Saturday, Washington brought his message to the Valley nearly 214 years and 43 commanders-in-chief after his presidency.

What would Washington think of America today?

“That’s a great question, and I don’t think George Washington would be impressed,” Gattis said. “He would not be impressed when he recognizes how hard people fought for this country and they don’t even get out and vote. That would probably be the most unimpressive.”

Gattis was among many to dress in historical garb as part of the Liberty for We the People Concert and Rally at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center.

Presented by the Conservative Patriots Group, the three-hour freedom rally was billed as a nonpartisan event to rekindle patriotism and spread a message of conservative values.

“This event is a revival of freedom,” said Jennie Bettine, CPG president. “We think people need to get involved, we think our country’s going in the wrong direction. But we know there are a lot of patriots out there who are going to work to make the changes we need to make.”

Along with patriotic music, crisp American flags and a festive atmosphere, many of the hundreds to file through the rally enjoyed free hot dogs, soda and cupcakes while listening to presentations from some of America’s most influential founding fathers, including:

• Patrick Henry (aka Daniel Garrett).

• Betsy Ross (aka Amy Garrett).

• Benjamin Franklin (aka John Veit, 82).

• Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine (aka by Nick and Tyler Bobo respectively).

• Dolly Madison (aka Wasilla City Councilwoman Taffina Katkus).

• Col. William and Abigail Hale Prescott (aka Wasilla Mayor Verne Rupright and wife, Bea).

The message wasn’t lost on Steven Miletich, a polite 11-year-old from Palmer who answered questions with a “sir.”

“Freedom means to me something that is bought at a price, sir,” he said. “That price is the bloodshed of soldiers who go and fight for us.”

And saying the Pledge of Allegiance is important because “it means we’re giving honor and memory for those who have fallen. It’s important to never forget what they did for us, sir.”

Steven was with his father, Chris, who said he felt a need to attend the rally to “be patriotic and show support for our country. … The main reason why I’m here, though, is I want to show God that I am thankful for what our country has given us, because if I don’t show him that I’m thankful, we could lose what we have, and that’s our freedom.”

Dave Williams is a CPG supporter who said Saturday’s rally was a fun, uplifting event. He liked the people who dressed up as historical figures, particularly Veit’s portrayal of Ben Franklin.

“He is fantastic,” Williams said. “He looked just like Ben Franklin. And to care enough to put that kind of effort in, that takes some caring about your patriotism.”

Although the CPG and its Tea Party roots are often viewed as a Republican organization, its focus is on freedom and conservative values, not party politics, Bettine said.

“It is nonpartisan and actually, Conservative Patriots Group would look at any candidate who is conservative,” she said. “We don’t care if they’re Democrat or Republican. It’s the values, its not any specific person.”

Saturday’s spring rally was a call and “a message of community,” she added. “It’s a message of we don’t need the government. We the people need to be the government, we the people need to get back to what this country was founded on.”

Along with those in costume and concert, one of the most popular CPG supporters at the rally was Betty Smith. Smith was giving out the free hot dogs to the hungry crowd. And those eating the dogs had nothing to worry about.

“These are ordinary, American hot dogs,” she said. “They don’t have a party affiliation.”

Contact Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.