FLORIDA’S BLUEPRINT FOR FREEDOM TOUR

The Guide to Opportunity and Prosperity in the Sunshine State

TUESDAY OCT. 17, 2017
6:30PM – 8:00PM EDT

NAPLES DOUBLE TREE BY HILTON

12200 Tamiami Trail North
Naples, FL 34110

SPEAKERS:

RICHARD CORCORAN
Speaker of the Florida House

RSVP:

afpfblueprinttournaples.eventbrite.com

Florida Blueprint is an eort to educate Florida citizens on the success of recently passed state budget and legislative reforms by the Florida Legislature.

The effort by Florida lawmakers to reform wasteful spending practices and expand opportunities for educational excellence has paid o. Learn how more money is going back in your pockets to support your families and how our kids are being put on a path to success.

CONTACT
Louis Piche | 239.910.5436 | Lpiche@afphq.org

www.FloridaBlueprint.org

September 2017 President’s Message

Jim Carter

Dear fellow Republicans,

Hope this note finds you well and safe. Worse Hurricane since Donna in 1960. I’ve been here for 37 years and never experienced anything like Irma. I’ll take a pas on going through any thing like this again.

We Republicans are tough and up and running again. Thanks to Russell Tuff our web site is up again and you are receiving our October meeting announcement. Our speaker is great and will provide a stimulating and up lifting message.

Hurricane Reg will provide a special report on his 72 hrs at CCEMC. He lived to tell the story.

And last but not least a special auction of a Patriot membership to the Alamo as part of our Salute to Veterans in November. See you Friday October 6 at the Hilton!!

Your History for the Day – Robert E Lee

Robert E Lee was married to George Washington’s granddaughter. He worked with Grant during the Mexican-American war and became a decorated war hero defending this country.

He believed slavery was a great evil and his wife broke the law by teaching slaves to read and write.

After the civil war he worked with Andrew Johnson’s program of reconstruction. He became very popular with the northern states and the Barracks at West Point were named in his honor in 1962.

He was a great man who served this country his entire life in some form or other.

His memorial is now being called a blight. No American military veteran should be treated as such. People keep yelling, “You can’t change history.” Sadly you can. This is no better than book burnings. ISIS tried rewriting history by destroying historical artifacts. Is that really who we want to emulate?

As they tear down this “blight” keep these few historical facts in your mind. No military veteran and highly decorated war hero should ever be treated as such. This is not Iraq and that is not a statue of Sadam.

IN ADDITION: Lee was also very torn about the prospect of the South leaving the Union.

His wife’s grandfather George Washington was a huge influence on him. He believed that ultimately, states’ rights trumped the federal government and chose to lead the Southern army.

His estate, Arlington, near Washington DC was his home and while away fighting the war, the federal government demanded that Lee himself pay his taxes in person. He sent his wife but the money was not accepted from a woman. When he could not pay the taxes, the government began burying dead Union soldiers on his land. The government is still burying people there today. It is now called Arlington National Cemetery.

DO THEY WANT TO TEAR THAT UP ALSO??

Congressman Francis Rooney Applauds Governor Scott Meeting with President Trump about Everglades and Herbert Hoover Dike

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Francis Rooney spoke with Governor Rick Scott, offering his thanks and support following the governor’s meeting with President Trump to discuss the Herbert Hoover Dike, Lake Okeechobee clean-up, and Everglades restoration. The governor’s office released a statement reiterating President Trump’s commitment to partnering with the State of Florida on needed repairs to the federally-operated Dike.

Congressman Rooney stated, “I am grateful to Governor Scott for keeping this issue at the forefront of his discussions with the President. Likewise, I will continue to focus on the funding of projects already approved and included within the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). I have had the opportunity to speak with the President on this topic on more than one occasion, and he understands that this is our number one priority in Southwest Florida.”

The Lake Okeechobee watershed and Everglades have far-ranging impact on the entire State of Florida and the country, but especially in Southeast and Southwest Florida, where 55% of all real estate in the state is affected – 2 trillion dollars of economic impact across 164 cities and 16 counties. CERP was enacted in 2000 and includes 68 projects.

Congressman Rooney has testified four times on water quality issues. In addition to this testimony, Congressman Rooney sent a letter to President Trump, co-signed by every member of the Florida Congressional delegation, that called on the President to support Everglades Restoration projects in his fiscal year 2018 Budget. He has also taken part in a hunt to eliminate invasive Burmese Pythons that threatened native Everglades wildlife, and is a member of both the Everglades Caucus and the Estuary Caucus.

Red Shirt Fridays – It’s Good

If the red shirt thing is new to you, read below how it went for a man….

Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together..

After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who’d been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.

No, he responded.

Heading out I asked?

No. I’m escorting a soldier home.

Going to pick him up?

No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq, I’m taking him home to his family..

The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn’t know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier’s family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days.

I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you – Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.

Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign.”

Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.

So here’s a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.

Red Fridays.

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the “silent majority.” We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that. Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women a far, will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV — let’s make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once “silent” majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked “What can we do to make things better for you?” is. “We need your support and your prayers.” Let’s get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something red every Friday.

 

 

Sponsorship Packages Are Available for Salute To Veterans Breakfast with Keni Thomas

Sponsorship Packages

All sponsorship packages include a private VIP reception with Keni Thomas. There will be free book, book signings, photo opportunities and free hors d’oeuvres.

The reception will be held immediately after the breakfast program at Shula’s.

Diamond Sponsor Package – Only one available:

  • Reserved Table of 8 with speaker Keni Thomas
  • 8 Signed Copies of Book
  • 8 VIP Reception Tickets
  • Main sponsor recognition on future promotional efforts including website and additional promotional material.
  • Table Signage
  • Special Feature Mention in Slide Show and promotional booklet

Gold Sponsor Package

  • 4 Reserved Table tickets with signage
  • 4 Signed Copies of Book
  • 4 VIP Reception Tickets
  • Table Signage
  • Featured Mention in Slide Show and promotional booklet

Silver Sponsor Package

  • 2 Reserved Table tickets
  • 2 Signed Copies of Book
  • 2 VIP Reception Tickets
  • Table Signage
  • Featured Mention in Slide Show and promotional booklet

Fill Out The Form Below to Buy Now

If you want to pay by credit card, follow the instructions below:

  1. Under “Fill Out The Form Below to Buy Now,” select a Sponsorship Package ($250 for a Silver Package OR a $500 for a Gold Package)
  2. Hit Submit
  3. Under PayPal hit “Pay with Debit or Credit Card”  (don’t worry you will not be charged by Pay Pal)
  4. Complete the Pay Pal Guest Checkout and hit Pay Now
  5. You will receive acknowledgement of your purchase
Fill out my online form.

President’s Message – July 2017

Jim Carter

I hope you are enjoying your summer! It was a terrific Independence Day in Naples. The 4th of July parade was a big success .

While we didn’t meet in July, August will start another full year of great programs as we go into election year 2018. Hard to believe!! Another round of critical elections as Governor Scott is termed out and running for the U.S.Senate against incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson. I’m already contacting candidates who are expected to run for Governor.

This fall our Salute to Veterans NOVEMBER 3, at the Hilton, will be an awesome event. Keni Thomas, an Army Ranger who fought in the battle of Mogadishu known to us by the movie BLACK HAWK Down based on the book by the same title. He was a consultant to the movie production as he relived that 18 hour fire fight where 19 Americans died an 78 were wounded. Sgt. Thomas stayed in the Army for three more years as a Ranger team leader Keni got out of the Army to pursue his music career. He is an award winning Nashville recording artist. His band Cornbread was featured in the film Sweet Home in Alabama and regularly tours with the CSO to entertain our troops.

Keni Thomas

His book “Get It On” is already a best seller. His message is powerful and has been engaged by many Fortune 100 companies as an outstanding Motivational speaker.
This is going to be a memorable Salute to Veterans Event. You don’t want to miss it. Tickets will go on sale August 1. The fee is $35.for everyone, EXCEPT the first 50 Veterans, who register out side of our membership, will be our guests. This is a major community out reach. Sponsor packages will be announced August 1. Preferred seating is available for table purchases of 8.

Go to our web site or Facebook page to keep updated on this event. Yes, Keni is the son of our own John Thomas, Col.US Army(ret). If it wasn’t for John , this event wouldn’t happen. View the event here.
Jim Carter,
President

Melania – The First Lady Shows Class

You won’t see this in the main stream media, or perhaps anywhere outside of Israel.

The most memorable moment from the trip in Israel of president Trump and the First Lady was probably that moment at the entrance to the house of President Rivlin.
“Nechama Rivlin, President Rivlin’s wife, welcomed the First Lady Melania Trump at the door. As they were about to walk inside, Nechama whispered to Melania that she will do her best to catch up with the walking pace, but she might be a bit slower because of her medical condition which requires her to use an oxygen tank. Melania took her hand, looked at her and said: “We’ll walk at any pace you choose”.

And so they walked, slowly, gracefully and proudly, hand in hand.

That, is the moment I choose to cherish. That silent gesture has neither any political significance nor any colorful tone to it, but it is everything.
It is the hope we yearn for when we speak of peace;
It is the kindness we wish to protect when we speak of defeating terror;
It is the dignity we want to teach when we speak of stopping hate;
It is the friendship we pray for when we speak of our unbreakable bond;
In other words, this gesture encompasses everything that is good, kind and human.”

– George Deek
from The Jewish Standard