Trumpeter February 2011

September edition of the Trumpeter. Enjoy!

Allie Harrison
1st Vice President
Five Valleys Pachyderm Club

Five Valleys members have the opportunity to sponsor this newsletter, for just $85. Your contribution helps with publication costs, freeing up funds for more Republican projects/causes.

If you would like to sponsor Trumpeter for one month please give your check (made out to Five Valleys Pachyderm) to Treasurer Fleda Campbell.

Thelma Baker awards Kathleen Roberts the Meritorious Service Award

After the cocktail hour, Master of Ceremonies Chris Warden kept us going right on time. He even shared a list of things with the question, “What year did these happen?” The answer 1990, same year as the start of Five Valleys Pachyderm.

The invocation was done by 1st VP Allie Harrison. The posting of the colors was done by the University of Montana ROTC Color Guard. Pledge of Allegiance was lead by John Quandt and the National Anthem was lead by Keith Baer.

The installation of Officers and Directors was conducted by Montana Pachyderm Federation President Thelma Baker. And new members were pinned by Presidents Charlie Olinger and Thad Brinkman.

The highlight of the evening was the keynote address by Ambassador Mark Johnson.

We were very honored to be able to award two of the National Pachyderm foundations top awards to two very deserving Five Valleys members. These awards must be approved by the National board. They represent years of dedicated service by the recipients.

John Angwin receives the Tough Tusk Award from National Board Member Col. Sam Roberts

John Angwin received the Tough Tusk award. It was presented by National Board member Col Sam Roberts.

Kathleen Roberts was presented the Meritorious Service award by State Federation President Thelma Baker

New this year was a $500 scholarship presented to a College Republican based on work done for our candidates as well as an essay. Chris Warden was pleased to award the first scholarship to Will Selph.

I grew up in a typical household, until first grade. That fall, my father’s addictions spilled over. It had been a matter of time; my father lived in a dangerous world that spun out of control. My father became a stranger. My mother divorced my dad mid-way through the year. We moved from the house we had called home, and moved to a small three-bedroom apartment. I said good-bye to my power-wheel, my playroom, and the giant backyard where my youth was spent. Little did I know, this was because my father had racked up a huge debt. For the next three years we lived in the small apartment, my mother worked two jobs. When times got tough, my Great Grandparents and Grandparents would chip in. My mother kept a ledger with every penny she was ever given. She knew Dad and Grandpa would never let her pay it back. She however, rarely asked for the help. In all the time at the apartment, my mother paid back the massive debt, of my father, while providing for two growing boys. Never once did she go on government assistance. To this day my mother is proud of never becoming dependent on government hand-outs.

Chris Warden presents the $500 scholarship to Will.

The second place that made me a Republican was my families’ businesses. In Billings one family owns a small auto parts store and in Winifred Grandpa operates a farm and ranch. Grandpa Bill has always been a Republican with an attitude. Bill has always maintained that America will not be starved; we must feed our own. Since the beginning of the 1970’s America’s Farm and Ranchers have struggled to keep operations going. While at the same time being victimized by Liberals in Washington D.C. Grandpa’s largest concern was that he would not be able to pass on the land his hands worked for decades. The Death Tax would prevent enough land from being passed on to keep the farm from success. This fight over a tax is much more than dollar signs in my family. It is to preserve a way of life. I never met my great-grandpa john, but I have stood in the barn he built. I have mended fence he built, I have harvested in the small fields he once harvested. This is a fight to keep the connections with our past. This is about family, Democrats don’t understand the concept of land rich and dirt poor, we do.

A few hours south of the ranch, my maternal Grandparents started a small business in the late 1970’s. “The shop” as it became affectionately known in our family. It has been a staple and center of my family since it first opened. Grandma and Grandpa got a small loan from the bank and their parents. With that small amount, they bought a piece of land, and built a small store on it. They bought some wrecked cars and parts. What began all those years ago has grown into a thriving small business that employs 10 people. My grandparents taught that daring to dream and taking a chance can pay off. With hard work, dedication, and a drive for success, you can achieve great things. When you venture to provide for yourself and your family, you are embarking on the American Dream.

The final aspect that has made me a proud Republican is my own decisions. The first major influence in my life was beginning cub scouts, which culminated in achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Of 100 boys who enter cub scouts, only one will become an Eagle Scout. I was proud to have achieved the rank, becoming the fourth person in my family to do so. In Scouts, we learn the values of moral conviction, mental acuity, and physical ability. In high school, I found a new group of friends. All were active in the community and avoided trouble. They invited me to come to a group meeting; the group was High School Democrats. At the time, I went, I did not think much about it. I sat there for a half hour, all they did was complain about President George W. Bush and where America was. I got up and left, the next day I began collecting signatures for High School Republicans. We founded the first group in Billings public school history. I re-learned that I did not want to be a part of something that was negative and only cared about trash talking everything. I wanted to belong to a party that had options, that was about alternatives, and about long-term solutions.

Since declaring myself a Republican all those years ago, I have learned to be independent, to love my family, to build my dreams, and be thankful to live in the United States of America. I have been taught to dream big, to reach for the stars, and never quit. Even if my life knows failures, my life will never be a failure. This is grounded in the simple and overwhelming fact that my family will always love me. I am only the second person in my family to attend an actual four-year College. This reality has been built on the foundation laid from the day Great-Great Grandpa O’Donnell stepped foot on American soil. He was the first member of my family to arrive in America, and today I know his Irish eyes would be smiling. My family and my own personal journeys have made me a proud Republican, and the inspiration of others has only cemented my status.

Also included are the original membership list  from that 20 year old program.  Underlined names are still members of Five Valleys Pachyderm.  Note, the official charter does list more names, several of which are still members as well.

CHARTER MEMBERS (48 names)

6 of these are still members 20 years later

The club has been blessed with outstanding and dedicated leaders.  Their dedication to the club is confirmed by their continued involvement with the group following the expiration of their terms.  The Past Presidents continue to provide guidance to the club and share their time and talents to improve the organization.  I am honored to be following in their footsteps as the new President of the club.  While I have large shoes to fill, I will do my best to steer the ship.

A club is nothing without its members, though.  As the programming chair over that last few years, I have had the opportunity hear many suggestions for speakers and witness members’ interaction with speakers during our programs.  It is these conversations and dialog that determine our success.  We continue to welcome your suggestions and invite your participation.  If you have not been to a Pachyderm luncheon recently, I encourage you to return.

I am not happy to report that over the last year, our country has taken steps in the wrong direction.  The federal deficit has ballooned to levels once thought unimaginable, and we continue to slide towards socialism with the government takeover of private industries and a move towards government run health care.  Now is not the time to give up, though.  Polls indicate that people are realizing the mistakes made in previous elections and people are returning to the right.  The 2010 election will be a correction to those mistakes.  Now is the time to feed off renewed enthusiasm and excitement.

Over the next year, our programming will provide an interesting variety of educational opportunities.  We will learn about health care reform and energy policy.  We will also have the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates and elected officials who work on the front line to improve our country, state, county, and school boards.

This year, we will be focusing on increasing our membership in the club.  Be on the lookout for individuals who are interested in learning about politics and government.  Invite your friends and neighbors to join us as guests at weekly meetings and at the annual banquet on January 23rd.  I challenge each member to invite at least two guests to come to a luncheon and/or join Pachyderm over the next year.  Likewise, if you see guests at a luncheon, please introduce yourself and make them feel welcome.

Our motto says, “We get the government we deserve, not the one we wish for.”  Do you deserve the government you wish for?

I look forward to working with you this year.

Thad Brinkman

Just $34 per person

Social Hour 6:00

No host bar

Dinner 7:00 p.m.

Steak and Scampi

Five Valleys members have the opportunity to sponsor this newsletter, Trumpeter, for just $85.  Your contribution helps with publication cost freeing up funds for more Republican projects/ causes.  If you would like to sponsor Trumpeter for one month please give your check (made out to Five Valleys Pachyderm) to treasurer Fleda Campbell.

Please view the attached invitation to Ravalli County Republican Central Committee’s Annual Lincoln/Reagan Luncheon.

All the information you need is on the invitation.

Come in your best western duds.  We’ll be kicking up our boots, and having a rip roaring time.

Kim, the owner of Victor Steak House, has come up with a chuck wagon menu of bbq’d tri tip.  All that will be missing is the iron coffee pot hanging over the fire.

Denny Rehberg has again been gracious enough to come talk to us.  There will be a question and answer session.

See ya’ll there,

Ravalli County Republican Central Committee