Letter: Constitution Day at the Plaza

Constitution Day at the Plaza

Dave Heimbold
St. Augustine, FL

Dear Editor:

When Benjamin Franklin was asked at the end of the 1787 Constitutional Convention what type of government he and the other delegates had ratified for the infant United States, he replied, “A republic – if you can keep it”.

Saturday, September 17th, was the Anniversary of the Constitution. The Town Criers, wearing their 1776 clothing and carrying Gadsden Flags, greeted tourists and locals with a “Happy Constitution Day” and some singing of “God Bless America” as they sauntered down St. George Street handing out Constitutions.

“Keep up the good work. Semper Fi”, called out one Marine.

Others wanted their pictures taken with the Patriots.

But, there were a few that must have heard about the Day of Rage posted for the same day. Members of Daughters of the American Revolution, looking beautiful in their 1776 outfits, joined by a half dozen dignitaries, were conducting their Constitution Day program at the gazebo in the Plaza. One elderly man, who looked a bit demented, came up to a Town Crier and asked, “Are you a Tea Party member?” When the Patriot said, “Yes”, He gave the Nazi salute and said, “Heil. Hitler” then stormed off.

There was also an odd scene on St. George Street when a group of young boys, directed by adult leaders, marched by us wearing purple shirts and yellow scarfs around their necks. They passed by so swiftly that you could not tell whom they represented. One of the boys had his scarf tied around his head, like a Jihadist. Someone said it looked like the teachers union using the children as SEIU shills.

But mostly, it was all thumbs up and with just a few dissenters.

A candle store owner asked the Town Criers to move away from her establishment because she said, “I’m a Democrat”. Guess she never read the Constitution.

But the highlight of the afternoon happened back at the Plaza when a distinguished gentlemen who escaped from Communist Cuba just after Castro’s revolution came up to the Town Criers and thanked them for awakening the Americans to the Communist threat.

“Castro promised Change, just like Obama. You have to wake up the American people before it is too late”, he said. “You see that young man over there? That’s my grandson. He is going to Flagler College. He needs to join you in your efforts to wake up America.”

We invited the young man to visit us at the Village Inn where we meet every second and fourth Tuesday evening at 6:30 P.M.

Come join us and save your Country from creeping Socialism.

We are Taxed Enough Already!