Bullets to Save Ballots
By Aaron Zelman
Read about the Battle of Athens, Tennessee. Write your thoughts on the
topic. Become eligible to win several great prizes. It's that simple to enter
JPFO's first nationwide essay contest. (Details below.)
A Battle in Tennessee
… in 1946?
When local officials
tried to hijack the county election in Athens, Tennessee, a group of American
ex-GIs took a stand. On the night of August 1-2, 1946, these men used armed
force as a last resort to overthrow their corrupt county tyrants. These
ordinary Americans simply wanted honest government. They had tried the ballot
box, but the elections were rigged. They had pleaded for honest leadership from
the soap box. They had begged state and federal officials to come to their aid
with the jury box, but their pleas were ignored.
When every one of those
famous "boxes of freedom" failed them, the former military men turned
to the last box available -- the cartridge box. In one long night of battle,
they took their county government back. This battle reaffirmed what the
Founding Fathers repeatedly told us -- that when you can't get redress of
grievances by working "within the system," then freedom must be
preserved through armed force.
Unfortunately the
"GI Party" formed by those Tennessee patriots faded away after
winning a few elections. Today, the party and the battle
are long forgotten by most Americans – we aim to change that.
Essay Contest Rules
& Prizes
In honor of the upcoming
58th anniversary of the Battle of Athens, Tennessee, JPFO is holding a
nationwide essay contest that is open to anyone regardless of age. Complete
rules are available at the JPFO website,
www.jpfo.org/battleofathensessaycontest.htm, but here are the basics:
1. Read the complete
story of the Battle of Athens at www.jpfo.org/athens.htm
2. Write an essay that
addresses the topic question: How would America be different today if
politicians feared citizens, rather than citizens fearing their government?
3. Submit the essay,
preferably by e-mail, no later than June 17, 2004. The essay's length should be
between 1,000 and 2,000 words.
4. Essays will be judged
for content and style by a panel including JPFO staffers and guest judges.
JPFO's judging decisions are final.
5. Prizes will be
announced on July 31, 2004 in time for the anniversary of the Battle of Athens.
Prizes include:
1st PRIZE: *
"Keeping the Vote Honest" – An 18-inch tall sculpture of one of
the soldiers at the Battle of Athens, cast in polymer resin with a
bronze-patina finish and placed on a solid walnut stand, signed by the
sculptor, Dale Newman of Athens, Tennessee. Value: $600
2nd PRIZE: * A full-sized
replica M1 Garand battle rifle on a plaque (courtesy of Collectors Armoury:
www.collectorsarmoury.com) Value: $299
3rd PRIZE: * A full-sized
replica Colt Government Model 1911 pistol on a plaque (courtesy of Collectors
Armoury). Value: $89
FIVE HONORABLE
MENTION WINNERS, TOO!
PRIZES FOR ALL 8
WINNERS:
* A VHS copy of the
Hallmark Hall of Fame movie An American Story – the film based
on the Battle of Athens.
* A one-year subscription
to Concealed Carry magazine. [Check it out: www.concealedcarrymag.com ]
* An autographed copy of The
State vs the People.
* Publication of their
essay on the JPFO website.
Charge Ahead and Win!
We're asking you, or your
sons, daughters or students to envision an America in which people are willing
to lay themselves on the line for liberty. Write about life in that alternative
America where people -- like the members of the Athens GI Party -- refuse to
stand for corrupt, out-of-control
government.
You're too busy? Then
urge your teenagers or college-aged children to write their vision of freedom.
Involve your local homeschooling group, scout troop, or religious youth
organization. Publish this notice on your Web site to alert other freedom
lovers to this chance to win the extraordinary first prize sculpture or one of
the other valuable awards.
June 17 is the deadline
– because that is the anniversary of the heroic Battle of Bunker Hill in
1775. Americans can be proud of their history of fighting for freedom. This
essay contest helps keep that spirit alive.
Visit the JPFO website at
www.jpfo.org to get more details. E-mail submissions to webmaster@jpfo.org. Fax
them to (425) 451-3959. Or mail them to the address below.
Don't delay – write
your essay today!
