To ALL Patriots/Militia:

Thomas Paine opened "The American Crisis" with these words:

"THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated."

The patriot community is astir today because of Norm Olson's appearance on CNN's "Cross Fire" last night. Olson wore his signature camo BDU's just as he did before the US Senate. Nor did his demeanor change from that day. In fact, he may have appeared more angry and less patient.

Today within the militia community, something IS taking place. Among the voices of moderation come fierce shouts of extreme that echo an earlier day. A warrior body has existed and is making itself very vocal today. Who are they?

Over the past 4 years or so, since OKC, the fragmented militia has tried to refind its identity. The early days of soldiers in the woods were followed by stories of community service, adopting highways, and such.

All the while, the federal government, attempted to conceal its own identity, more recently employing such comforting titles as "Compassionate Conservative-ism." Oddly, the militia seemed to really want to be a kinder, gentler militia, thinking that perhaps it had not been earlier. Had it believed what the media said following OKC? Did OKC bring about an identity crisis? Were they nothing more than cruel baby bombers?

So, while the federal government was putting on a new face AS A PLOY to endear itself to the American people, the militia seemed sincerely interested in remaking itself, thinking perhaps that under a new wrapper the product would sell. But not surprisingly, neither has been found to be trusted to be what they really are.

The militia, it would seem, with its soft-spoken conciliatory and moderate facade seeks social acceptance. Thinking that they were somehow wrong, they excuse the extremes of the past by attempting to "turn over a new leaf." Off goes the camo and on comes the sportshirt and tie. The gun is traded for a briefcase. But doing so begs the question of what went wrong.

The Michigan Militia Corps was born in the woods of northern Michigan on April 29, 1994. Many of the 28 men and women there that day wanted to remain hidden from public view. Olson rejected such a notion claiming that visibility was essential to establish the group's credibility and legitimacy. Olson reasoned that peaceful assembly with arms could not be other than lawful, so why the reluctance to wear the uniform? Dissenters feared public ostricism and disapproval from bosses, neighbors, etc. But Olson prevailed and the militia went public. Boy, did it!

But the dissenters are still in the crowd today. Somehow they never quite feel comfortable shaking a gun in the face of the tyrant, and yet they still want to call themselves militia.

Over the past few years, Norm Olson has attempted to explain that there exists a vast body of Americans called Patriots. WITHIN the patriot community are militia. Within the militia community are the MINUTE MEN. History does recount that The Minute Men were a distinct operational organization that could,

". . . explode into battle out of nowhere, knowing what to do, skillful and brave in combat, able to take on the formidable British Regulars and drive them into a long and costly retreat." ¹

The question today is, are camo-clad, gun-totin' warriors such as the Wolverine's Ron Gaydosh, Tony Liuzzo, and Norm Olson, (to name but a few of the thousands) representative of the entire militia, or are they a distinct operational body WITHIN the militia?

Today's dialogue on short wave has not been pretty. Trying to find one's own niche can be fraught with difficulties.

There can be no doubt that a warrior class of militia EXISTS and IS EMERGING! And the militia at large better dig into the history books to find out who they are and what to call them, so as to accommodate them and welcome them into the ranks.

They are called The Minute Men. Welcome, and may we ALL stand for liberty, shooting at THE ENEMY rather than at each other.

1. (The Minute Men, by Gen. John Galvin, US Army, published by the Institute of Land Warfare, Pergamon-Brassey's Internation Defense Publishers, Inc.)