Posted 9:44 pm Wednesday, July 04, 2012
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Gov. Rick Perry Visits East Texas For Independence Day
By TAYLOR GRIFFIN
Staff Writer
BIG SANDY — Hugs, photos and small talk were not in short supply Wednesday as Big Sandy residents warmly welcomed Gov. Rick Perry for a small town Fourth of July breakfast of fresh, hot waffles.
“Well, how y’all doin’?” Perry said, greeting the crowd that packed the New Beginnings Christian Fellowship Church to catch a glimpse of the governor and former presidential candidate.
As a guest at the Big Sandy Rotary Club’s annual Independence Day waffle breakfast, Perry spoke to a full house about the importance of America’s freedom and remembering the sacrifices that are made daily to preserve it.
“Today is great day to think about the freedoms that we have in this country,” he said. “We think about this extraordinary country that we live in and how blessed we are to wake up every day in a country that was founded on principles that our founding fathers did get right.”
Staff Writer
BIG SANDY — Hugs, photos and small talk were not in short supply Wednesday as Big Sandy residents warmly welcomed Gov. Rick Perry for a small town Fourth of July breakfast of fresh, hot waffles.
“Well, how y’all doin’?” Perry said, greeting the crowd that packed the New Beginnings Christian Fellowship Church to catch a glimpse of the governor and former presidential candidate.
As a guest at the Big Sandy Rotary Club’s annual Independence Day waffle breakfast, Perry spoke to a full house about the importance of America’s freedom and remembering the sacrifices that are made daily to preserve it.
“Today is great day to think about the freedoms that we have in this country,” he said. “We think about this extraordinary country that we live in and how blessed we are to wake up every day in a country that was founded on principles that our founding fathers did get right.”
For the past decade, the club holds the event every Independence Day to not only bring the people of the community together but to raise money. The funds raised go to scholarships and leadership enrichment for Big Sandy high school students.
“We have strong beliefs, a strong community, and we’re very proud of what we do,” Patty Jones, Big Sandy Rotary Club president, said.
Perry made a speech that commemorated not only the day, but also the people who have willingly given up their lives to protect their country. To him, that fact only is cause for celebration and remembrance.
“Today is when we stop and think about how fortunate we are and to honor those who defend those freedoms,” he told the Tyler Morning Telegraph after the speech. “They allow all people here to live without having to be under the heavy hand of tyranny.”
“We have strong beliefs, a strong community, and we’re very proud of what we do,” Patty Jones, Big Sandy Rotary Club president, said.
Perry made a speech that commemorated not only the day, but also the people who have willingly given up their lives to protect their country. To him, that fact only is cause for celebration and remembrance.
“Today is when we stop and think about how fortunate we are and to honor those who defend those freedoms,” he told the Tyler Morning Telegraph after the speech. “They allow all people here to live without having to be under the heavy hand of tyranny.”
As a fifth generation Texan with roots in America as far back as the Revolutionary War, Perry took his audience back to the beginning with the founding fathers’ bravery and persistence in declaring this nation’s freedom. With more than two centuries under its belt, the United States is by far the greatest country in history because of its overwhelming success and ground breaking ideas in government, he said.
“We’ve proven that it can be done,” he said during the speech. “We’ve survived to inspire others and spread the principles of freedom.”
Growing up in Paint Creek, a little community just outside of Haskell, Perry knows the lifestyle of small towns and enjoys helping and visiting them.
“This is a little community, and I’m blessed to get to go to a lot of different places as I represent this state, but Big Sandy is kind of a reflection of who I am,” he told the crowd. “I really enjoy going to our smaller communities.”
“We’ve proven that it can be done,” he said during the speech. “We’ve survived to inspire others and spread the principles of freedom.”
Growing up in Paint Creek, a little community just outside of Haskell, Perry knows the lifestyle of small towns and enjoys helping and visiting them.
“This is a little community, and I’m blessed to get to go to a lot of different places as I represent this state, but Big Sandy is kind of a reflection of who I am,” he told the crowd. “I really enjoy going to our smaller communities.”
Big Sandy Rotary member Joan Vining was excited the governor made it on such a busy day to their small community. She always enjoys their waffle breakfast and likes the community aspect of the club.
“Part of the Rotary here is to support the community. This is always our biggest fundraiser of the year.”
Mrs. Jones appreciated Perry speaking to their little town, saying that he could have been anywhere in the state or with his family to celebrate this holiday.
“This was his true-blue self coming out today,” she said. “He didn’t come to meet his needs but to meet ours.”
“Part of the Rotary here is to support the community. This is always our biggest fundraiser of the year.”
Mrs. Jones appreciated Perry speaking to their little town, saying that he could have been anywhere in the state or with his family to celebrate this holiday.
“This was his true-blue self coming out today,” she said. “He didn’t come to meet his needs but to meet ours.”
