Remember 11 September 2001

Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space:

I reckon all of us have received in a recent e-mail from someone, or seen posted in an Internet forum, a message urging us to commemorate the attacks of 11 September 2001 with a public display of the United States flag this coming Tuesday.

I've been mulling that over, and I think I've got a couple of ideas to propose, which might be a bit better.

If you live where it's legal to do so (and in most places, it is), then commemorate the sixth anniversary of 11 September 2001 by wearing a fully loaded pistol on your person, or publicly carrying your fully loaded rifle, carbine, or shotgun wherever you go.

No, don't merely leave the weapon stored unseen in your vehicle, office desk, or tool box.

Instead, actually strap the loaded pistol in a holster, and wear it on your hip or under your arm pit.

In fact, I would suggest going even farther.

Not only arm yourselves, but also dress militantly on that day.

Instead of ordinary street shoes, wear combat boots.

Strap a gas mask (if you have one) to your leg, and don basic military field combat load bearing equipment, i.e., pistol belt, suspenders, canteens, first aid kit, ammunition, poncho, folding shovel, knife, flashlight, compass, lighter, cell phone, and two way radio.

(A practical alternative could be wearing a survival vest, one which is lightweight, with a lot of pockets.)

Tie a neckerchief around your neck, wear a floppy wide brimmed ranger hat, and tuck a pair of gloves in your belt.

If a whole lot of American citizens will do that, it will send a clearly defiant message, and might even act as a possible deterrence, to any would be foreign terrorist intent on initiating an attack against an undefended public gathering of ordinary civilians.

It's a lot more effective than just flying a flag.

Besides, since everybody and their dog is always showing the American flag, I prefer to show the Rebel flag, just because I have a cantankerous nature and like being different.

The sixth anniversary of 11 September 2001 would also be an appropriate occasion for military veterans to wear their decorations and insignia, especially now that our nation is at war.

If any potential terrorists are watching us, then let's show them what we're made of!

Caution: Please be sure to check your local laws before displaying firearms in public.

Thank you.

John Robert "SAIGON" Mallernee, KB3KWS
Official Bard of Clan Henderson
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400

NOTE: "My unpopular and controversial personal opinions are independent of my Scottish clan."