My agenda for this morning was to write the June Gunsite Newsletter and wax on eloquently about Memorial Day and how we need to remember the sacrifices of all our veterans these last 200+ years. Then discuss the many training opportunities we have across the country and the happenings at the Gunsite Ranch. However, another Terrorist incident in Europe is at the forefront of my thoughts.
We could also throw in Mind Set training and again discuss the Principles of Personal Defense book (from last month’s column).
Posting memes of the British Flag with kind words, offering thoughts and prayers will be prevalent throughout the next several days as well as updates from the Main Stream Media about how the entertainers are reacting.
The Gunsite Family certainly offers our thoughts, prayers and concerns for the victims of this most recent cowardly act of murder and mayhem. But we need to do more . . .
We have no reason to believe that these murderous events will slow. They will continue overseas and in our Republic. You and your family need a plan . . . A plan for home, work, travelling, on the street, in the market, at the theater. What’s the old saying attributed to Ben Franklin? “Failure to plan is planning to fail.” An event like this is coming to a community near you . . . What will you and your family do? How will you respond? More memes and condolences?
While we believe Gunsite offers world-class training, you MUST seek out good training. If you can’t make it to Gunsite, see what is offered in your area. Look to libraries and (shudder) the internet for information. Have a plan for fires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and terrorist attacks. Practice your plan with your friends and family. Make a plan for your workplace and find like-minded people to share it with. As Gunsite Family member Barrett Tillman said: “You do not rise to the occasion, you default to your level of training.”
If you are apolitical, it is time to reconsider that. We must have strong leaders in place to have solid policies to fight and defeat these radical thugs. If we are weak in our leadership, the flow of miscreants into our homeland will increase. Study your elected representatives from Sheriff and Mayor to national offices. Look at their words and deeds as they plan to defeat the “Evil losers in life.”
As mentioned in paragraph one, Memorial Day has just passed. We hope you offered appropriate respect to those who offered “their last full measure” so you and your family continue to live in our great Republic. Keep them in mind as you prepare to help stop this scourge and to prepare to defend yourself and your loved ones.
Friend of Gunsite and noted trainer John Farnam posted this morning on his blog a quote from “The Outlaw Josie Wales” that is most appropriate:
“Now remember, when things look bad, and it looks as if you’re not gonna make it, then you gotta get mean. I mean plumb, mad-dog mean. Because, when you lose your head, and you give up, then you ain’t gonna win, and you ain’t gonna live. That’s just the way it is.”
Lincoln may have said it best at Gettysburg in November, 1863:
“It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
But let us also note the great philosopher Augustus McCrae ( “Lonesome Dove”): “It ain’t dying I’m talking about, it’s living.”
Plan and prepare as it is living we are talking about.
Stay strong!
DVC,
Ken
