Well, never mind the year flying by! Where did October go!! It seems I just sat down to write my October message and here I am again, thinking about November and what I have to say that’s important to the membership. The weather has been so wonderful and the fall colors abound so. It’s hard to believe that winter is soon to set in.

Many thoughts are flooding my mind as we have seen the 2008 Presidential election come to realization. I believe that we are now faced with many battles in the next four years to protect our right to bear arms. I want to appeal to everyone and say that if there was ever a time to get actively involved, now is it! I have had more volunteers come forward from our membership in the last month and I am so grateful for their willingness to give of their time and talent to assist in our mission. Many more are still needed. I am often asked, “What can I do?” and the answer is, Keep your membership current, volunteer your time and share your knowledge and recruit new members. There are many areas in which we can use your help. Are you an expert in a particular shooting discipline? Do you have web design experience? Do you have marketing talents and ideas for increasing membership? Are you passionate about teaching our youth or helping seniors and disabled enjoy shooting? Do you have writing and editing experience? Or, how about joining our PAC and being part of the second amendment task force. Those are just a few questions to provoke your interest in sharing with the KSRA. If something resonates with you, please, contact myself or any board member and we will be glad to have your help. You surely will find it to be a very gratifying experience as all of us who have volunteered our time find it.

I just returned from the first annual NRA Women’s Leadership Retreat which was held at the Nemacolin Resort in beautiful Farmington, PA. I was accompanied by KSRA lobbyist Paula Radcliff. Our mission was to develop a plan for getting more women involved in all aspects of the shooting sports and hunting as well as legislative work and finding a way to bridge the gap. We met many other women who enjoy shooting as we do and who have heartfelt concerns about the future of the second amendment. We shared our personal stories and bonded while shooting sporting clays together and enjoyed the company of our new friends from all over the country. It was a very diverse group. We heard several messages from Suzie Brewster and met with Susan LaPierre over an intimate dinner. We cooked Quail with five star chefs and then tasted the wonderful recipes we had learned to prepare. Many discussions took place while enjoying fabulous food and it was a great learning and sharing experience.

I arrived back in Kansas on election eve contemplating placing my vote the next day. I had a mound of work, emails, mail and phone calls to catch up on and stayed diligently locked up in my office except for my trip out to vote. Then, late in the evening, I rested to my television and began watching election returns with bated breath. In hindsight, I’m so disappointed that our nation had none other better to offer than those who we had to choose from. I have asked myself, what happened to the true Statesmen? Where did all the real Patriots go? How have we come to this condition we find ourselves in with the economy, industry and unemployment? How could anyone think its okay to trample on the constitution of this great nation that such blood was shed to found and keep? And as I felt sadness coming upon me I thought, STOP! I must continue to fight. I thought of the words of John Wayne, “Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway!” I must be willing to sacrifice all for the good of this great and free country. I must find as many people as possible to help fight whatever anti-constitutional legislation may come as a result of this election. I must work harder than ever and my metal will be tested. When the going gets tough, the tough get going! Please, won’t you join me?

In closing, please ponder the words of President John F. Kennedy, "Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom!" These words sum up my mission in life and my destiny. I take them seriously. I ask you, what can be more important in today’s world than preserving the constitution, our freedom and our way of life? What can be more important than protecting the sovereignty of our great nation and what it stands for? My answer to that thought provoking question is nothing, because losing our freedom makes all else void. What is your answer?
 
Till next month, Shoot Straight, Shoot Often, Keep Your Powder Dry and Remember, KSRA and your Country need you!
 
Patricia Stoneking
President