I joined Patriots United to make a difference in this country.  Many men and women have died fighting for freedom and the American Way of Life.  We owe it to their memories and families to keep this country free. 

I remember as a young child asking my parents why people spit on the soldiers returning from the Vietnam War.  These Americans answered the call from their country.  It was not their idea to start the war.  Most of them didn’t even agree with it.  They did their patriotic duty.  Many years later, I answered the call to patriotic duty and enlisted in the Marine Corps.  I didn’t join because I wanted to go to war.  I joined because I love our country and the American People.  I also wanted to help oppressed people fight for freedom in their countries.  I spent 20 years in the Marine Corps as both an enlisted and officer.  Although, I never fought in a battle, I did serve in many hot spots and looked at the angry end of several Cuban cannons.  In those 20 years, I buried a dozen friends.  I vowed that their lives will not be in vain.  I make the same commitment to my successors.  I am humbled by their commitment.

Too many take for granted the freedom afforded to them by the blood and sweat spilled by others.  Other misguided souls wrongly work against the efforts of freedom lovers and still others have sinister intentions.  These evil doers spread misinformation to turn the hearts and minds of Americans with confusing messages and sometimes blatant lies.  Look around today at the number of American’s who believe they are owed something by their government and other Americans.  How about the countless others outside the country who believe we are indebted to them. 

Some of these sentiments stem from the political process that has developed in this country over the years.  “If I am elected, I promise to…”  How about promising to get out of my way so I can provide for myself?   Well that won’t put campaign dollars in their pockets…  While some have virtuous intentions, too many politicians desire power and wealth more than making this world a better place.  These power mongers are not worthy of the efforts and sacrifices of our armed service members and the countless first responders and citizen protectors, let alone the average citizen they pretend to represent.  They are diligently working toward being able to stay in power against our will.  Some of them are the very people who spat on our soldiers many years ago.

At Patriots United we are arming our members with information and tools to fight back.  We align ourselves and work with other groups who have common goals, all centered on our five pillars.  While some groups and individuals may not agree 100% with everything we represent, if they have a common goal in a certain area, we want to align with them.

The National Defense Pillar meets about once a month.  Our current goals are to support the troops and educate and activate our members to fight for issues that protect our boarders and way of life.  We have taken on the Thomson Prison effort to move terrorists from Guantanamo Bay to Illinois.  We also hosted a Second Amendment and gun safety workshop at Cabela’s, where our guest speakers were Richard Pearson, Executive Director for Illinois State Rifle Association and Peter O’Malley, Attorney and Certified NRA instructor.  However, our most important efforts have been in the Support the Troops area led by Joe Alger.  Joe and his wife Mary have coordinated countless activities to benefit our heroes, from send offs to welcome homes to providing Patriot Guards at our fallen hero’s funerals.  I am humbled and honored to work with the members of the National Defense Pillar.  We always welcome new members.  If this is something you want to do, let me know. 

Semper Fi,

Tom Riordan