Governor Palin's Remarks at Wasilla 9/11 Event

By Adrienne Ross - www.motivationtruth.com

Via PalinTV, below is video footage of Governor Palin's remarks when she unexpectedly attended the Wasilla 9/11 commemoration event:

My Phenomenal Alaska Trip: Part One: A Post by Conservative Girl with a Voice

Many of my regular readers may be wondering why I have not been blogging in recent days. For the past year, I have been planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Alaska, and I am very excited to write that I am typing this post from a hotel room in beautiful Anchorage, Alaska. My sister, Krisha, and Kristina Lazzaro, a fellow organizer for the 2012 Draft Sarah Committee, and I have had an amazing trip so far. We have been going non-stop since arriving in town. My good friend Eddie Burke, who's running for Alaska's lieutenant governor, and his amazing wife, Linda, were there to meet us at the airport, which was so sweet of them. After meeting us, they took us to the trendy Anchorage restaurant The Brewhouse where I had a great halibut dinner. I highly recommend this restaurant for anyone who is looking to experience true, Alaskan flair.

There are so many memories that I have already made, and I cannot wait to experience more great sights. We have gotten together with so many great people and had a lot of fun and, oh yes, crazy experiences. Everything from spending the day going to the local flea market, souvenir shopping and visiting the world's largest chocolate fountain with great friend Tracey Porrecca to hanging out with Alaska State House Candidate Jason Cline on his birthday. The people here are real people, and I could totally see myself living here.

One of my favorite days so far was spent attending some Memorial Day Veteran events. I have been privileged to assist Eddie Burke in his campaign for lieutenant governor. As the only veteran in the race for lieutenant governor, Eddie knows firsthand what our military men and women experience when they leave their homes and families in order to keep us safe. The veteran events were very special and personal to him for several reasons. Our military men and women need to be thanked everyday, not just a couple of times a year. The events I attended yesterday in Anchorage and the valley reiterated just how important it is that we support our military and do everything in our power to support them. I had the privilege of speaking to many members in the crowd as well as some of the speakers, including Congressman Don Young, Senator Mark Begich, Senator Lisa Murkowski, as well as a couple other state leaders. All of these individuals were very friendly and I enjoyed speaking with them. I have photos that I will be posting soon.

I also finally got the chance to meet Rishi. Many of you may know Rishi as my favorite liberal. Politics aside, he is a pretty cool and let's just say unique guy, even if he likes to tease me and call me a "sorority girl" - Ha ha. That is not the only liberal I had the chance to meet. Right after I wrapped up talking to Senator Lisa Murkowski, I was approached by blogger Linda Kellen-Biegal. You may all know her as "Celtic Diva." At first, I did not recognize her, but she knew exactly who I was and even pronounced my name right. I think she was a little shocked that I reached out my hand to shake hers, but she agreed. Let's just say we had an interesting, yet very civil conversation. I even asked to have my photo taken with her, and she agreed. Click here to read her account of our meeting each other face-to-face for the very first time.

Our final Memorial Day event out in the Valley was a very memorable stop for me. As my sister took photographs of the event, Eddie introduced me to another Lieutenant Governor Candidate, a guy we palinistas all know very well: Jay Ramras. I also saw the other candidate in the running, Mead Treadwell, in attendance. I also got the chance to speak with Joe Miller, who is running for the Senate against Lisa Murkowski. He and his wife, Kathleen are great people. This was a great event, and I can definitely see why so many individuals love living in the great state of Alaska!

I have been to quite a few beautiful places, but after arriving at my latest stop in Wasilla, I do not think there is a state that is more beautiful than Alaska the last frontier. There is just something very special about its majestic beauty that seems to continually call my name. After staying in the Anchorage for the past four days, my sister, Kristina Lazzaro and I just arrived at a beautiful, undisclosed part of Wasilla. The place we are staying at is phenomenal and top notch. Not only is this place peaceful, but the people are so friendly and welcoming. I wrote this portion of my blog post while sitting outside in daylight, and it was just after 12 a.m. Since it does not get truly dark for another hour or so, I thought I would come down and sit by the lake and continue this blog post, which I am finally posting today. As I listen to the sounds of the birds and the jumping of the fish, I am reminded just how amazingly good God has been to me. I prayed long and hard about this trip, and I knew that if God wanted me to travel to Alaska, he would open the door. I have already experienced so many great and wonderful memories, and I know I have many more great memories to come. Eddie and Linda Burke and their amazing family (great friends), Tracey Porreca (our wonderful friend, Alaskan mom and tour guide), J and Bev Perdew (who took us on an amazing drive around Palmer and Wasilla), Jason Cline and Danny McDonald (our crazy, fun guys) have been so welcoming, and it has been so fun to experience their Alaska. It was also real special to go over to Chuck and Sally Heath's house last night for desert and coffee. Chuck is such a cool guy and even gave us the whole tour of the house. It is so amazing and has an awesome museum feel to it. It is because of all of these individuals that I have met the wonderful people I mentioned above. It is true when you hear how kind and welcoming the people of Alaska are. They are the real deal. I am signing off for now because Kristina, Krisha and I are getting ready to attend Eddie Burke's daughter, Ericka"s, wedding today in Anchorage. Stay tuned because I will be back again soon to blog and post lots of photos. And, oh by the way, for those of you who keep asking: Yes, I have seen Joe McGinniss' house, and I must write that Todd did a pretty good damn job constructing that fence!!! Way to go, Todd!!!

(Make sure to spread the word and follow my blog Conservative Girl with a Voice as well as my twitter account @rachellefriberg for my Alaska-trip shenanigans.)

The Christmas Friendship Dinner was a huge success!

I sit here in amazement at what a wonderful event it was that just took place. The Christmas Friendship Dinner held in Wasilla, Alaska is truly unique. I've never seen an event of this size headed up by a group of caring citizens, and not a major organization. They all know what needs to happen, and they get it done. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to work with members of this group that have been doing this for years. I want to say this to them, and to anyone reading this so you all will know, that this is what makes our community so wonderfully special. I send blessings to all my local friends, and to all those whom I've met through the internet this year. Below is a copy of an article from The Frontiersman,our local valley newspaper. My only comment would be that the writer is not quite correct - our celebration was not about Sarah as he said, but it's not about Santa either, as the article suggests. The celebration of CHRISTmas is about CHRIST. After all, he is the reason for the season! Please take the opportunity to look over these photos, as well as the attached article. God bless everyone, and Merry Christmas!

Christmas Friendship Dinner dubbed 'best ever'

BY GREG JOHNSON
Frontiersman
Published on Friday, December 25, 2009 3:34 PM AKST
WASILLA — Not even Sarah Palin could upstage Santa Claus.

As the former vice-presidential candidate served up mashed potatoes and turkey to a long line of hungry visitors, Santa was still wide awake after pulling an all-nighter delivering gifts around the world. Both were all smiles as they chatted with and served up food and presents to hundreds at the 18th annual Christmas Friendship Dinner at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center.

“No, no, no, not tired at all,” Santa said. “All that cocoa last night, and with all the cookies and chocolate, I’m wide awake.”

While Palin has been making national headlines since the release of her best-selling memoir, “Going Rogue,” there were no mobs of well-wishers, protesters or media. Many of the attendees were glad to see her and husband Todd participating in a hometown event, but said, at least on Christmas, Santa was the No. 1 celebrity at the sports center on Christmas.

“The food is good, the people are good and it’s good to see people you haven’t seen in while,” said Glen Butts. “And, of course, we have Sarah here. ... (But) I’d have to say Santa is the bigger celebrity. He’s going non-partisan, so I’d have to go with him.”

Lt. Micah Weinstein of the Wasilla Police Department reserves agreed. “Sarah’s a great lady, but Santa’s Santa.”

Behind the scenes, Bob Bowers has helped organize and cook for the Christmas Friendship Dinner since its inception. That first year, the dinner served 64 people at the Wasilla Senior Center. Last year, an estimated 1,500-1,700 was fed at Wasilla High School, and this year Bowers was prepared for 2,000 people at the sports center, as the event had outgrown the high school.

After 18 years of peeling potatoes and cooking in cramped, hot kitchens, is Bowers ready to pass on his apron?

“Heck, are you kidding?” he said. “I look forward to this day. This is the happiest day of my life when I get down here.”

This year, Bowers and a small army of volunteers helped cook and serve 63 turkeys, 60 hams, 600 pounds of potatoes, 50 gallons of gravy, 80 pounds of butter, dozens of large cans of beans and corn, and 600 pounds of carrots.

With more space and the kitchen facilities at the sports center, “This is the best year we’ve ever had,” Bowers said. “At the high school, they had to cook the potatoes out in front of the high school, and then they had to wheel them all the way back to the kitchen, mash them up, then haul them right back to where they cooked them. It took us all day.”

The Cowles family traveled from Indian with 7-year-old daughter Tilly for the dinner and passed the time playing Uno while waiting to help clean up.

“It feels like family,” Roger Cowles said about why his family has attended the past four Christmas events. “My folks live here and they peel potatoes and carrots. Last year, we came a day early and helped. This year we’re on the clean-up crew.”

While Tilly played Uno with her parents — “I lost the last hand,” her father said. “I was, like, hundreds in the hole” — her brothers were outside playing with a new toy they received at the sports center.

“We wouldn’t let them bring a football,” Roger Cowles said. “We said, ‘No, it’s going to be indoors.’ So, the gift they got from the giveaway over there was a football.”

Ashley Mills was one volunteer helping hand out presents to children at the dinner. All the gifts were donated, she said, then wrapped and labeled so each child would get a gift appropriate to his or her age and gender.

“It just makes me so happy to see them so happy about getting a present,” she said.

From youngsters visiting Santa one last time to seniors finding some companionship on Christmas, the friendship dinner was the place to be.

Barbara Rice lives at the Wasilla Senior Center and raved about the pecan pie.

“That pie, I’m not kidding you, is just delicious,” she said.

She also had warm thoughts for the local Santa Cop program, which payed her a visit earlier on Christmas.

“I didn’t even know about them,” she said of the Santa Cops. “They came in and said, ‘Are you Barbara Rice?’ And I said, ‘I am.” And he said, ‘We’re the Santa Cops and we’re here to see you.’”

She received a $100 gift certificate and several other wrapped gifts, Rice said.

“I was shocked a just the (amount of the) gift certificate, and I still have the gifts to look at too,” she said.

Kurt Karmer took a break from volunteering in the kitchen to enjoy Christmas dinner with his family. After three days of cooking to prepare, he proclaimed “everything” was the best on the menu.

“I just like bringing a little Christmas cheer to people, that’s all,” he said. “It’s been really good. The volunteers are great and (the facility) is beautiful.”

Sierra Hannan is a Christmas Friendship Dinner veteran. Attending since she was a girl, Hannan now brings her own children.

“I think it’s absolutely wonderful,” she said. “It helps out the community, and it’s not just for poor people, it’s for everybody.”

Bowers said he gets more out of volunteering to make the dinner happen than he puts into it, but what really made him choke up was seeing the community fill the sports center.

“This is the gospel-honest truth,” Bowers said. “I have walked out there three times today, and all three times I had to come back because I had tears in my eyes. I was so happy and so overwhelmed with what I saw, it just makes my Christmas.”

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Please enjoy my own personal photos below.


My daughter Cassie getting organized before the event


The table full of presents from Santa!


My sons Nick and Josh helping set up the Nativity


This is Kurt, who was mentioned in the Frontiersman article above


Some of our delivery crew. We were meals on wheels for today, and we had meals that were delivered to those who could not come to us.


We had volunteer firefighters helping out with meal delivery


We even had sugar free desserts


Kevin was awesome on the carrot shredder!


Some of our door greeters


Bob, on the right in the green apron, is an extraordinary cook and has been with the dinner all 18 years


One of our elves - isn't she cute?


Chuck Heath (center) with Angelina and LindaJo Klapperich


We had plenty of rolls - thanks to all who donated!


We had a nice selection of hot and cold vegetables


Servers with spoons up - at the ready!



People getting their plates filled


We had lots of great young people volunteering, and whole families


There were also servicemembers, young and old alike


Sally Heath talking to Chris, another great volunteer


My daughter Cassie and son Josh, taking a break to eat


Sonja and Gregory, who were running the first aid table


Our honor table, for those who have fallen or were not able to be there as they had in years past


We had a great turnout


This little girl was very happy with her Santa gifts


This young dad was very happy to receive a toy for his child. They dropped down right there on the floor in front of Santa to open it. They were all smiles!


We had some great families who provided sing-a-long entertainment


An overhead view of some people going through the food line

Many of you who follow my blog regularly found me through Twitter or Facebook or through some of the Sarah Palin websites. We were blessed today when Sarah Palin and her family came and devoted time to volunteering at the Christmas Dinner. Sarah and Todd, her kids, her brother and sisters, their children, and her mom and dad were all in attendance. Sarah came in and of course, there was immediate excitement. Sarah was gracious enough to sign a few items. I was working as the volunteer coordinator, and she told me she really wanted to serve so we set her up with Angie and she put her to work on the serving line. Everyone was very excited to see her, and for some it made this Christmas Day even that much more special. Sarah has a servant's heart and I know this is what makes her day as well. Sarah is her mother's daughter, and it was her mother who originally asked me to get involved. Chuck Jr. was so proud that his boys were able to participate and they all had a great time. Sarah's sisters and their families were also involved. Here are some photos from that part of the event:


Sarah's brother Chuck Heath Jr with his boys Kier and Teko. They were a big help!


Sarah arrived. You can see Piper and Willow in the left side of the picture


Sarah signed a few books and calendars





The head of the serving line, Angie, gave Sarah and Todd gloves and aprons and put them to work!


Todd and Sarah enjoyed serving










This special young man was excited to see Sarah, as were many

If you enjoyed this post, you can follow my blog at Finding Myself In Alaska.

Sarah signs books for the hometown gang

I hadn't decided, as of last night, if I was going to the Wasilla, Alaska book signing for Sarah Palin's book "Going Rogue." I'd read so many other accounts of the event and it felt odd to stand in line to get a book signed. I have spent some time with Sarah's mom since her return from the tour and I knew I didn't want to bother her or Sarah's dad by asking them to get a book signed. I mean, so many people here know Sarah on some level and if every single one of them asked for a favor, it would be impossible to grant them all. It only made sense that we would all meet at the sports complex that Sarah helped become a reality to have our books signed. So last night, I asked the crew (i.e. my family) if anyone wanted to go with me. The only taker was Sam (Samantha) my step-daughter who has participated in several political events with me, and whose mom wanted a book signed but couldn't get away from work.

I had read the event would take place on the turf court at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center. Sarah pushed hard to have that center built and it is used often. I've been spending quite a bit of time there recently preparing for the Christmas Friendship Dinner and knew that some of the organizers from the dinner steering committee would be there, standing in line with me. Because the center is large and the dinner committee had decorated the turf court the first week of December with a lot of Christmas decorations, I was fairly confident that they would allow us inside once the center opened so that no one would have to stand out in the cold. I decided we would leave at 8:00 in the morning.




I woke with my husband at 6:00 and got ready. Both Sam and my daughter Cassie were dressed and ready to go by 8:00. My daughter is working at the Wasilla Alaska Wildberry Store, a very popular tourist spot and a very busy place during Christmas as Alaskans send salmon and Alaskan chocolates to their friends outside Alaska. Her boss was going to be working out at the gym next door, so we decided to stop at Pandemonium Booksellers and Cafe to drop Cassie off, and then Sam and I headed to the sports complex, coffees in hand. As you can see from the photos, it was still pretty dark. The solstice was yesterday, and the longest day of the year has still allowed us only 5 hours of daylight this time of year.





Again, it was dark when we pulled into the parking lot of the sports center just before 9:00 this morning. When we entered I immediately saw many people I knew. Lynn Gattis was greeting, as well as LindaJo Klapperich and her daughter Angelina. Angelina is our local Miss Forget Me Not, which is the Alaska State Flower. They are all members of the Valley Republican Women's Club, of which I am now the president.




Sam and I entered and took our place in line. They had the turf court roped with chairs and we were queued up like we were waiting for a ride at Disneyland. We took our place in line, and then saw Sharon Benson entering. Sharon is a good friend of the Palin family and her husband Don Benson is mentioned in Sarah's book on page 120, along with Adrian Lane who I saw just yesterday at Sally's house. Adrian and Don are good guys and real characters, and together with Chuck I am sure they made quite the trio at Humpy's the night of Sarah's election as governor. They are great men and very funny! Someone came by with chairs while we were waiting in line, and Sharon and I took pics of each other. We were actually having a fun time. I really like Sharon. She was one of the people that was very encouraging, and still is, regarding my run for President of the Valley Republican Women's Club.

Sharon and I decided to take turns walking around talking to people we knew. I ran into Lyn Carden, who is the head of the Wasilla Chamber of Commerce, as well as our current Wasilla Mayor Verne Rupright. Everyone was very excited and even though it would have been nice to work the event, I'm glad I didn't because it gave me a chance to talk to many people I hadn't seen in a while. The Conservative Patriots Group was there. They host our local tea party and are great activists and I enjoy being involved with them (you can check out my tea party posts for pics of some of these people and events).



I ran into James Hastings, who runs the sports complex and asked him if I could go upstairs where Sarah would be signing and take a few pics of the crowd on the turf court, and he was nice enough to let me. You will see they have the nets up. This keeps the ball on the court during games, but makes for difficult picture-taking conditions. At this time, it was about 10:00 am and there was still an hour before Sarah would be there.














At about 10:30, Sally and Chuck Heath arrived. They are Sarah's parents and really great people. So many supporters have met them and commented on how down to earth they are. It really is true. They both have a gift of making you feel like you're very special when you speak to them, and I so enjoy spending time with them. So many people know them, and there were lots of hugs to go around. The crowd started getting thicker and we knew that soon Sarah would be there. Chuck Heath Jr, Sarah's brother, arrived with his two sons Kier and Teko. I don't know who was cuter - the kids signing autographs, or Chuck jr. who was trying to sign autographs himself while smiling and taking pics of his boys. He said the boys really enjoyed signing books, and Teko has just learned to write his name and did a great job!







James Hasting of the sports complex made an announcement that we would be allowed 3 books to be signed. There weren't as many people here and if there was time, people would be allowed to get in line a second time if they had more books. We were all pleased that everyone would get a book signed, and then some. A few minutes later, Sarah arrived. Here is a video clip of her arrival. The first person she is talking to is the head of the Christmas Friendship Dinner to be held on Christmas Day, and they discuss it in this clip.








Sarah was upstairs and waved to the crowd, and then sat down and started signing books. It didn't take long, even though we were about 200 people back, for Sharon and I to get to the book signing table. Sharon's husband Don was not able to make it, so Sharon had a book for him and he called a couple of times to wish us well. Adrian Lane was helping open books and I joked with him asking him how he had gotten this gig (I just saw him last night at Chuck and Sally's house). Sarah then thanked me for coming and I told her that I had just been elected as president of the Valley Republican Women's Club. Sally is a member, but was in the lower 48 somewhere with Sarah during the elections, so she didn't even know until a day or so ago. When I told her I had been elected, she said, "Rock on!" She then asked about GayleAnn, the previous president. I explained that GayleAnn was still a member, but wanted to devote more time to the Heartreach Pregnancy Center, where she is a speaker and volunteer. Sarah was pleased with this, and I thanked Sarah and Todd again for coming and signing my book, while I took a picture of Sarah signing Sharon's books. It was great fun. We were allowed to take our own photos, which made me really happy, even though my pic was with my cell phone. I didn't think Sharon would want to mess with my Canon SLR!

Sharon and I were happy and I set off downstairs to find other volunteers from the Christmas Friendship Dinner committee. I ran into Sally, Chuck and Chuck Jr again several times. But the best part of the day was about to come. As we were leaving down hall, I saw LindaJo standing next to three young servicemen. They were standing in front of the offices which had been set up as a VIP area, and her daughter Angelina was inside. I overheard LindaJo say my name, and then call me over. One of the young men explained that they were Marines getting ready to deploy overseas and were given persmission to come over to see Sarah and get a book signed, but there were still about 1000 people in line, and they needed to be back on base in 1/2 hour. One kid, you could see, was almost desperate. They had spoken to anyone who had a name badge on that they could find, but no one knew how to get them to Sarah. I saw Lyn Carden, the head of the chamber, down the hall so I asked the boys to wait and ran to try to catch up with her. I explained the situation to her and brought her over. I asked her, "do you think you can get these guys to see her so they can get out of here quick?" She promised she would take care of them and make sure they got to see Sarah. As these young men started to leave, one of them said, "Thank you so much" and gave me a big hug, and then other two joined in. I explained to them I was ex-Navy and it was my job to make sure they got to where they needed to be, being Marines and all. We all smiled and they hurried off with Lyn. That was the best part of my day, because I felt like I was put there to help these kids see Sarah, and I know she enjoyed seeing them. And that's what it's all about for all of us, right?

For this post and more, please visit my blog at Finding Myself In Alaska