Knoxville Tennessee Activist Leader Rand Cardwell's Thoughts on the April 19 Gathering on Lexington Green

To say the least, it was an inspirational event with top-notched speakers and plenty of like-minded patriots. It is really difficult to put into words the surge of emotions and pride that are still reverberating inside of us.

I was one of the organizers of the Knoxville Tea Party on April 15th. The Oath Keepers ceremony that was conducted at the close of that event was awesome. Over 2,000 of "we the people" stood side by side, raised our right hands and reaffirmed oaths or took it for the first time. The unity of spirit, the love for the this nation, and respect for all those that have paid for our freedoms that we enjoy today, will be a memory that I will cherish the rest of my life.

The event at Lexington Green was more powerful. Maybe it was the historical significance of the location. Being a lifelong history buff, I understood the importance of the site. I understood the implications of the Oath Keeper ceremony being conducted on the site and on the anniversary of the "shot heard around the world." I understand that now, more than anytime in my life, that our nation needs this modern version of the same resolve of the eight men that lay buried on the Green. The resolve to stand against tyranny; against massive odds; to stand together with our fellow man in defiance. There are only five people in our nation that attended both of these events. My wife and I are both honored to be part of that small group.

The speakers were motivating and informative. Several topics were touched upon, but all had a recurring theme, which was one of less government and a return to the foundation principles of our Constitution. Mr. Walter Ready, Head of the Committees of Safety, outlined why we were there, on the hallowed ground of Lexington Green, and the direction that his organization is leading in the effort to put "teeth" into the current wave of State Sovereignty legislation that is sweeping the nation.

Garrett Lear, the Patriot Preacher, gave an excellent speech about the Christian beliefs that were held by the men that stood on the Green in 1775. Dressed in traditional clothing of the era, Pastor Lear also spoke of the role of the Church and the "Black Robe Brigade" during the Revolution. He also led us in prayer, which was very touching and invoked a solemness for the event.

The famed Constitutional lawyer Edwin Vieira could not make the event, but Mr.Tom Moor read his speech with passion and Mr. Vieira's words still moved many in the audience, even in his absence.

Lt. Cmdr. Guy Cunningham beamed with pure energy as his voice rang from the podium. I couldn't help but to compare him to a Southern Baptist preacher in the style and enthusiasm the expression his beliefs. Sheriff Richard Mack gave a passionate speech about the role of a Constitutional Sheriff, which was well received by the audience.

Stewart Rhodes gave another excellent speech that echoed in the same eloquence that he did in Knoxville; "Not On Our Watch", which was often repeated in great numbers from the crowd. Stewart had to stop the flow of his speech several times as people in the crowd would shout out support.

Famed Navy SEAL Capt. Larry Bailey was the man that administered the oath ceremony. This proven warrior, whose exploits fill the pages of several accounts of the Viet Nam War, gave further resolve to the active-duty military, veterans, Law Enforcement Officers, civil servants, and patriots as we raised our right hand and reaffirmed our oaths. At the end of the ceremony there were very few that didn't have tears in their eyes.

As people started mingling afterward, I took a private moment and went as stood on the actual location of the line that the militia stood on that faithful day in 1775. Volunteers had come earlier in the day and driven a series of wooden stakes in the ground to mark that location. With all the people around, at that point talking and socializing, I allowed myself a moment to remember those men. Of the eight that now lay under a monument on the NW corner of the Green. Of the one man, fatally wounded, that crawled off the Green into the arms of his wife to die on his doorstep. Of the 80-year old man that answered the call that morning, that gave the field to the overwhelming strength of the British, but continued to fight throughout the day. Taking a total of five shots and killing three redcoats before being shot in the face and bayoneted several times. When found by his family, who first thought him to be dead, saw that as he lay on the ground he was reloading his musket. He lived to be 98. I thought of Capt. John Parker and the words that he spoke to that small group as the British army advanced. “Stand your ground. Don't fire unless fired upon. But if they mean to have a war, let it begin here.”

Capt. Parker, we hear your words through the years. Just as the men of Lexington stood that day, we now are duty bound to do the same. May our resolve be as strong as theirs. May our nerve not falter. May we shoot straight if the need comes. Yes Sir, Capt Parker, WE WILL STAND OUR GROUND. You can count on us.

NOT ON OUR WATCH

In Freedom,
Rand Cardwell
Oath Keeper since 1986

300 SPECIAL TABS, 300 SPECIAL SHIRTS, FOR 300 SPECIAL PATRIOTS WHO MUSTER ON LEXINGTON GREEN, APRIL 19, 2009

300 Spartan warriors, and their allies, stood at Thermopylae for three hot days in 480 B.C. holding off a massive Persian Army, fighting to the death to buy time for the rest of Greece. They were most certainly oath keepers! The epitaph on their monument reads: "Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by,
that here obedient to their laws we lie."

WHERE ARE OUR 300?

We're not asking you to stand for three exhausting days of brutal close combat, forming a wall of shields and spears upon which the Persian hoards smash like bloody waves, in a fight to the death to keep your oath. We're only asking you to stand for three hours on a quiet April Sunday afternoon on the Lexington Green in memory of the men who stood their ground so long ago and fired the shot heard round the world.

We have created 300 special "Oath Keeper" tabs, and 300 special Oath Keeper T - Shirts for this very special day, April 19, 2009, when we will stand on that venerable spot in Lexington Massachusetts. Only those who stand with us on Lexington Green may purchase these tabs and shirts - no exceptions! Below is the proof for the shirts.

Of course, if more than 300 of you show up, we will take orders for more shirts and tabs for you, but only those who stand with us on the Green may order them. Again, no exceptions! We are not in this to make money - we are in this to make Oath Keepers extraordinaire.

We expect the price for the shirts to be between $20.00 and $25.00. And approximately $6.00 for the tabs. Because of the short time-frame and limited run, they are a bit more expensive than we would have preferred, but they are top quality and made to last. All proceeds go to support the Oath Keepers mission. We will also have approximately 100 of the "Guardian of the Republic" patches for sale (that is all the manufacturer could do on short notice), also for $6.00 each, and can take orders for more. We expect the price for future shirts, tabs, and patches to be considerably lower, but they will not be like these - these are special.

CLICK ON THE BELOW IMAGE TO ENLARGE

We don't have pictures of the tabs, but just as with the shirts, the tabs will have "Lexington Green, April 19, 2009" embroidered on them below "OATH KEEPER."

Now gentlemen, you just know that at all future Oath Keepers gatherings, from now until the day you die, there will be some who will proudly wear that special tab denoting them as an "Oath Keeper, Lexington Green, April 19, 2009," .... and then there will be the rest of you. While it may not be fair, you just know that those who wear that tab will be looked upon as being special (and they will never miss an opportunity to remind you of just how special they are, especially after a few beers when they point to their tab and ask you "where were you"). That's just the way it goes. So, make sure that you are among them, and avoid kicking yourself later with woulda, shoulda, coulda.

Get there! Be there! It's on a Sunday. You can do it! If you don't, you will regret it.

"Stand your ground. Don't fire unless fired upon. But if they mean to have a war, let it begin here." Captain Parker

SPECIAL NOTE ON THE JOHN ADAMS QUOTE.

The quote on the shirts from President John Adams is from a letter, dated October 11, 1798, in response to an address from Lexington sent to President Adams from the officers of a Massachusetts militia unit that had just renewed their oaths on Lexington Green. That's right. Those good men, in 1798, did precisely what we are about to do and thus our upcoming oath ceremony on Lexington Green this April 19, 2009 has an amazing historic precedence.

In 1798 men who had sworn the same oath we swore understood how special and meaningful it was for them to renew their oaths to defend the Constitution on Lexington Green. They did so during a time of crisis in their day - the quasi war with France. We are now about to do the same - to renew our oaths to defend the Constitution - during a time of crisis for our nation.

And like them, we will be sending a proclamation regarding our oath renewal to government officials.

Here is the full text of the letter from President Adams, from which the quote is drawn:

TO THE OFFICERS OF THE FIRST BRIGADE OF THE THIRD DIVISION OF THE MILITIA OF MASSACHUSETTS.

Accessed athttp://oll.libertyfund.org/index.php?option=com_staticxt&staticfile=show.php%3Ftitle=2107&layout=html.

11 October, 1798.

Gentlemen,

I have received from Major-General Hull and Brigadier-General Walker your unanimous address from Lexington, animated with a martial spirit, and expressed with a military dignity becoming your character and the memorable plains on which it was adopted.

While our country remains untainted with the principles and manners which are now producing desolation in so many parts of the world; while she continues sincere, and incapable of insidious and impious policy, we shall have the strongest reason to rejoice in the local destination assigned us by Providence. But should the people of America once become capable of that deep simulation towards one another, and towards foreign nations, which assumes the language of justice and moderation while it is practising iniquity and extravagance, and displays in the most captivating manner the charming pictures of candor, frankness, and sincerity, while it is rioting in rapine and insolence, this country will be the most miserable habitation in the world; because we have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.

An address from the officers commanding two thousand eight hundred men, consisting of such substantial citizens as are able and willing at their own expense completely to arm and clothe themselves in handsome uniforms, does honor to that division of the militia which has done so much honor to its country.

Oaths in this country are as yet universally considered as sacred obligations. That which you have taken and so solemnly repeated on that venerable spot, is an ample pledge of your sincerity and devotion to your country and its government. (emphasis added).

John Adams.

That final paragraph is what will be on the back of our shirts commemorating our oath ceremony on Lexington Green.This is going to be an historic event, steeped in history, following in the honored footsteps of our forefathers in so many ways, and making a statement fitting for our own day of our duty, honor, and fidelity to our country.

Stewart Rhodes

OATH KEEPERS INSIGNIA/PATCH DESIGN! Give Us Your Thoughts!

Above is the proposed Oath Keepers insignia/patch design as worked up by the exceptional insignia artist Paul Jacobsen, of Tactical Graphic Design, who has so graciously stepped up an VOLUNTEERED his service in helping us design our insignia. Paul is an Oath Keeper and a man of deep commitment to liberty. We will be posting his own testimonial shortly.

Read our below description of what and why, and then please give us your thoughts and constructive criticism. We have put a great deal of thought into this, but nothing is set in stone and we want to hear your thoughts.

ABOUT THE TAB:

Note, the insignia/patch will only have one "Oath Keeper" tab above the main patch (just as you would wear an Airborne, Ranger, or SF tab), but Paul has included a slightly different tab design down below the patch for you to compare the two different tab styles.

We wanted to have an Oath Keeper tab as part of our insignia so anyone could easily add an "Oath Keeper" tab to whatever other insignia or "colors" are used, just like soldiers add a "Ranger" or "Airborne" tab to their uniforms above their normal unit patch. Just imagine giving current serving troops Oath Keeper tabs all set with velcro on the back, ready to just slap on. Won't that be fun? And you can add one to your jackets, uniforms, or any other gear.

And we think it best to keep it singular, since it is a personal declaration to all the world that the one wearing that tab is an Oath Keeper.

I (Stewart) am partial to the darker tab, but let us know what you think.

ABOUT THE MAIN BODY OF THE INSIGNIA/PATCH:

CVSTODES REI PVBLICAE

That is Latin for "Guardians of the Republic" and in formal Latin, a "V" is used in place of a "U." We had this checked out with several Latin scholars, including professors, so we are certain it is accurate. That is what we Oath Keepers are - guardians of the Republic of the Founders.

English version of "Guardians of the Republic"

UPDATE:

After several requests for a version with "Guardians of the Republic" in plain English, we have posted the above version for you consideration. And, with the bold tab.

UPDATE II:

And here we are with the contoured tab (meant to match up closely with the patch) and with the more traditional "Ranger" style tab. A more traditional shaped tab is handy since personnel can just slap it in place right along with other tabs and insignia (or in place of another tab they usually wear) and it is more "official" looking.

So, we could go with the more traditional shaped tab, and scrap the contoured tab, or go with the contoured tab, but with the traditional tab as an option (so you could order either one, or both).

What do you guys think? We will most certainly offer the traditional shaped "Ranger" style tab no matter what, since it is such a great idea to give troops something that fits right in with their other tabs and insignia (and we expect that many will buy just the tab, or get it as a gift). So, the only real question is whether we want to also use the contoured tab.

A STATE DESIGNATION LOWER ROCKER/TAB? (or other lower rocker)

One member had the idea of having a lower rocker (curving upward?) for an optional state designation. I (Stewart) think that would be pretty neat, frankly, as an option for those who want it. Or, you could have other kinds of lower rocker tabs, whether for a particular group, service branch, specialty, leadership position, etc - you name it. It could be a personal choice to put one on with whatever additional designation you wanted. Up to you!

Let us know what you think.



THE LEXINGTON MINUTEMAN

We decided to go with the Lexington Minute Man statue rather than the more commonly used Concord memorial minuteman (as used on the National Guard insignia, and by Appleseed and others). We did this for several reasons:

1. We Oath Keepers will be mustering, gathering for the very first time, on Lexington Green, Mass., on April 19, 2009, and since that will be our first public gathering, and since we will be reading aloud or declaration of orders we will not obey, and publicly reaffirming our oaths right there on Lexington Green, it seems fitting to honor that occasion by having our patch reflect the Lexington statue, which was modeled after Captain Parker.

2. Lexington is the site of the first shots of the Revolution, where the militia first stood in defiance of orders to disarm, and where they first suffered casualties and first fired back.

3. We would like our insignia to be a bit different than others.

4. The minuteman, of whichever statue, is a symbol of the American spirit, of defiance to tyranny, and the ideal of the citizen soldier. And by evoking the minutemen who stood so long ago, we connect with the Founding Generation and with all the brave men and women who have stood in the breach since. Now it is our turn to stand, following their footsteps, filling their shoes, taking our place in the long line of guardians of the Republic. We will stand at Lexington, where they stood, and we will commit ourselves to preserving what they fought, bled, and died for. We cannot think of a more fitting symbol.

The "10"

The "10" stands for our Declaration of Ten Orders We Will NOT Obey and a forthcoming declaration of Ten Affirmations of What We Defend. Our publication of that declaration of ten orders we will not obey was our first public shot across the bow - the first throwing down of the gauntlet - and we will do that again, in person, on Lexington Green on April 19, when we read that declaration aloud, and pledge to each other our lives, fortunes, and sacred honor. It will be a very public throwning down of the gauntlet, to let "them" know it aint' going to go down like "they" think it is.

NOT ON OUR WATCH.

That is our motto. We usually add in an exclamation point, as in "Not on Our Watch!' but you tell us what you prefer.

We will likely fly this insignia/patch at Lexington, and that is what will likely be on any T-shirts we make up to commemorate the occasion (with the summary of the ten orders on the back).

But please, please do give us your thoughts on any desired changes or ideas for improvement.

We want this insignia/patch to be something you are proud to wear, and proud to fly, and proud to passs on to your sons and daughters.

COLORS:

We are wide open to suggestions for colors on the full color insignia. So, please let us know what you think would be best. Eventually, we will have both full color and subdued versions for BDU/ACU, etc.

For April 19, we will probably just be flying black and white, and subdued BDU/ACU if anyone can work up tabs or patches that fast.

IF YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO CAN WORK UP TABS AND PATCHES IN TIME FOR APRIL 19, PLEASE CONTACT US ASAP AT oathkeepersok@gmail.com

It would be wonderful to have tabs and even patches for the Lexington muster!