The rally was held at Murray State University's Lovett Auditorium and was attended by a large crowd. Also present, outside the auditorium, was a group of protesters.
The protesters basic theme was to let the NRA know that they are tired of children dying, and they let their message be known with loud shouts and chants.
One protester, Jim Walgamuth of Nashville, told West Kentucky Star, "there's no way to reason with those folks in there, and we aren't going to stand here and put up with this." He added that it amounted to the NRA and the GOP poking a stick in the eye of this community that just lost children recently at a local school. Walgamuth is a Vietnam Veteran with Veterans for Peace, Chapter 89.
The address by Lt. Colonel North dealt with the proud history of the United States, patriotism, freedom, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, importance of family, religious liberty, and protecting children at school. He spoke about an organization, the National School Shield, which the NRA supports that helps to make schools safe, and is available free to any American school. He went on to explain how many places are much more secure than schools, and he called that "unacceptable".
On the subject of the United States Constitution, he pointed out that it is the only founding document in the world that pays homage to God Almighty and closes with a prayer. He said he believes in free enterprise, not socialism.
Lt. Colonel North also said the definition of a hero is one that "puts themselves at risk for the benefit of others", and that great leaders have great responsibility. He said a great leader will never ask someone to do something that they would not do. He stressed that freedom is not free, and that the United States is the land of the free, because of the brave, as he paid tribute to the veterans and their families in attendance.
Marshall County GOP Chairman Danny Holt announced that this was the largest fundraiser ever held in the history of the Marshall County GOP
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Kentucky State Senator Danny Carroll commented to West Kentucky Star that he took away from the speech "the history lesson and it's important that we not forget where we came from, and the price our founding fathers paid for our freedom." He went on to say, "it's unfortunate that we are divided the way we are. We all have the same goals, just different paths to get there. We've forgotten how to compromise, we've forgotten how to disagree, and we've forgotten how to be respectful to each other." Carroll felt that Lt. Colonel North's message was not confrontational, but uplifting.
