Patriotic citizens, young and old, veterans, and military family members came out to show their pride and gratitude for our brave troops at the courthouse corner in West Chester, Pa.

Five Military Moms held the flag while we sang the Star Spangled Banner and said the “Lord’s Prayer” for our troops and country.  No one is more passionate about our soldiers than our Military Moms. 

L to R.  Faith (her Air Force son-in-law is in Afghanistan), Mary (her Marine son Grant is in Afghanistan, 2nd combat tour), Maureen (her Army son JP is in Afghanistan), JoAnne (her Marine son Greg is an Afghanistan veteran, currently at Camp Pendleton) and Mary Lou, (her Army son Matt is an Iraq combat veteran).   These moms get the most out of our rallies because it’s a place for them to be with others who understand what they go through everyday.  They find comaradarie, support, and love. The moms hold a special place in our hearts.

Thanks always to everyone for taking time out of their lives to gather together and remember our heroes, protecting and defending us 24/7.  May God bless them, protect them, and guide them to victory.

As our troops fight the fight for freedom, they are not alone.

The Pennsylvania Leadership Conference has been held annually in Harrisburg since 1989.  It’s a great way to meet local, state, and national candidates as well as hear many panels on public policy issues. For the third year in a row the Sheepdogs had a booth at the PLC and it was the most fun ever.

Senate candidate Pat Toomey gave a great speech and was received with enthusiastic cheers and applause.

Keynote speaker Dick Morris did a terrific job, his speech was outstanding, funny and optimistic.

Chester County’s Colin Hanna spoke of the values and principles that make our nation great.

Former Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburg spoke at lunch on Saturday and was warmly received.

Sam Rohrer, candidate for Governor, outlined his vision for Pennsylvania and his strong conservative values.

National pollster and political pundant Kellyanne Conway (often seen on Fox and CNN) was terrific on Saturday.

I was given an opportunity to speak at breakfast on Saturday and talk about the Sheepdogs and what we do.

Here’s some of the informative booths at the convention, including Let Freedom Ring and American Sheepdogs.

The best part of the PA Leadership Conference is the chance to meet fellow conservatives and make new friends.

 Our exhibit table looked sharp.  Special thanks to Ray for setting it up and to Fred and Charlie for helping to take it down. Thanks again to all the Sheepdogs and patriots from our area who went, this was the best PA convention that I’ve attended. Fun, inspiring, and educational.

Much thanks and salute to Lowman Henry  for all his hard work and dedication to making it happen.  It was a sellout and next year Lowman tells me they will move to a larger venue and be able to accommodate twice as many people.  The conference  was covered on TV on the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN).  Also you can watch the speeches on video at the PLC website. 

Once again we had a large turnout of patriots who came out to stand together and show our brave troops that we are behind them, we are proud of them, and we are thinking and praying for them every day.

At the end we always take time to sing the National Anthem and pray for our troops and country.

See you next Saturday (11AM to noon) at the corner of High and Market St in West Chester. Thanks to everyone for taking time out of their busy lives to make it happen.

As our troops fight the fight for freedom, they are not alone.

One of our biggest supporters is Chester County Sheriff Bunny Welsh.  She attends a lot of our rallies and events. She’s a pretty good photographer too.  Below are some she took at our rallies this past winter.

This one is from our fundraiser for the Michael Horrocks Memorial Statue.  The Sheriff surprised me with a  beautiful framed Jamie Wyeth painting of the firemen raising the flag at Ground Zero in New York City after 9/11.  It was a big surprise and I proudly and humbly accept it on behalf of all the Sheepdogs.

 Thank you Sheriff, we are grateful for the way you and your sheriffs protect us every day.

A huge turnout of patriotic Americans came to stand together day before Easter Sunday to let our troops know we appreciate their sacrifice and hard work. A highlight was having Army LT Snook attend. He just returned from combat in Afghanistan. He and his girlfriend Erin held the flag for us as we sang the Star Spangled Banner.  We are always thrilled and honored when our troops, our heroes, stop by to say hello.

While home on leave from Afghanistan, Army Lt John-Paul Snook asked Erin to be his bride. Congratulations!

At the end said the Pledge of Allegiance and prayed for our troops and some passerby’s stopped to join us.

Lt Snook said a few words at the end. He told us how much he and all his Army friends appreciate our rallies.

Thanks again to everyone who came out.  Your support and commitment is overwhelming.

Thank You Troops!  Thank You Military Families!

The Sheepdogs helped to welcome home a local soldier.  Army 1st Lt John-Paul Snook returned from Afghanistan on Good Friday for some well-deserved leave.  He received A Hero’s Welcome at the Phila Airport and got a motorcycle escort from the patriotic bikers of the Warriors Watch Riders.

John-Paul said, “I can’t believe all this was just for me, I wish all our troops could get a welcome home like this.”

Neighbors and his sisters Alice and Christy surround their big brother at the airport.

The Warriors Watch Riders do a great job, they get local and state police to lead the way and keep the escort moving.

The bikers, family, and friends formed a receiving line to greet John-Paul when he arrived at the Philadelphia Airport.

Here’s JP with his grandmother Alice and his grandfather Bob (a West Point graduate).

His proud mother Maureen, his father John, and his brother Walter (a freshman at Princeton, in the Army ROTC, hopes to go to Army Ranger school and infantry).

Special thanks to the West Chester Fire Department for providing their truck and ladder to hang the giant flag.

Lt Snook will be returning to Afghanistan after his 2 weeks leave. We are proud and grateful for his service.

God bless you JP, we sleep in peace because men and women like you are willing to risk everything you have to protect us 24/7.