Patriots United No More

A pre-Tea Party conservative group in McHenry County has gone out of business.

From the April 15, 2014 Tea Party demonstration on Route 14 in Crystal Lake, which Patriots United helped organize.

From the April 15, 2014 Tea Party demonstration on Route 14 in Crystal Lake, which Patriots United helped organize.

My articles go back to 2009 (and there were undoubtedly ones before that that Google wiped out when it labeled McHenry County Blog a “spam blog”).

In any event, here are some of the highlights:

1)  Being a major organizer of the April 15, 2010, Tea Party demonstration on Crystal Lake’s Route 14

The corner of Liberty and Route 14.

The corner of Liberty and Route 14 on April 14, 2010.

2) in 2010 sponsoring the best candidates’ night I have ever attended

The District 6 panel. Incumbent Daniel Ryan, sitting second from the right of the photo is the only candidate who either has not filed the ALAW conflict of interest form or committing to doing so.

The District 6 panel. Incumbent Daniel Ryan, sitting second from the right of the photo is the only candidate who either has not filed the ALAW conflict of interest form or committing to doing so.

2) taking part in Crystal Lake’s 2010 Independence Day Parade

Patriots United had a large entry in the 2010 Independence Day Parade in Crystal Lake.

Patriots United had a large entry in the 2010 Independence Day Parade in Crystal Lake.

3) allowing Jack Franks and Mike Tryon to face off in 2012 on the issue of an elected County Executive

Jack Franks attacks cronyism on the McHenry County Board.

Jack Franks attacks cronyism on the McHenry County Board.

4) getting Catholic and Protestant Pro-Lifers more than talking to each other, Patriots United has gone the way of most political organizations.

PU Unity Breakfasst slide 20095) hosting a massive Holiday Inn forum on Obama Care  (Part 1, Part 2)

Part of the crowd of Patriots United forum on Obama Care prior to passage.

Part of the huge crowd of Patriots United forum on Obama Care prior to passage.

6) organized a March, 2009, rally against the pro-abortion 2009 Freedom of Choice Act bill at State Rep. Jack Franks’ office when he was sponsoring the bill

2009 demonstration against Jack Franks' support of abortion.

2009 demonstration against Jack Franks’ support of abortion.

7) sponsoring a vibrant debate at McHenry County College for 8th Congressional District GOP candidates (I’m told Joe Walsh dominated the event.)

December, 2009, 8th Congressional District Republican Party debate.

December, 2009, 8th Congressional District Republican Party debate.

8) holding a forum on gambling and coordinating with the Illinois Family Institute to hold off slot machines in unincorporated taverns for a couple of years

Patriots United held a debate on slot machines at the Woodstock VFW.

Patriots United held a debate on slot machines at the Woodstock VFW.

9) organizing a demonstration against the civil union bill that Jack Franks ended up voting for

Jack Franks Woodstock office was the site of this demonstration against the bill to legalize civil unions. Franks voted for the bill.

Jack Franks’ Woodstock office was the site of this demonstration against the bill to legalize civil unions. Franks voted for the bill.

The following letter explains why the organization is disbanding:

Dear Patriots,

Life is full of passages.  As in all steps from one platform to the next, there is sorrow and gladness involved.  As children step out of childhood into the land of adults, we have mixed emotions of missing what was before but rejoicing over what comes next.  Such it is with Patriots United.

Patriots United leadership is moving on to a group called "OG8."

Patriots United leadership is moving on to a group called “OG8,” short for “Our Great 8.”

In 2013, Patriots United’s president stepped down in order to serve in other ways and spend more time raising family.  In 2015, our next president stepped down in the late summer to make a career change.  An interim president was appointed in fall of 2015, and by the end of that same year, the call for a change in direction was heard and discussed.

A new platform and focus had been in development for two years and the time was ripe to formulate a roll-out of ‘Our Great Eight.’

Charlie Kirk was introduced to McHenry County by Patriots United.

Turning Point USA’s Charlie Kirk was introduced to McHenry County by Patriots United.

Since Turning Point USA was very interested in collaborating in getting these materials onto college campuses across the country,  it was prayerfully considered and a decision was made to form a collaboration to launch ‘Our Great Eight’ on a national level.

In March of 2016, the board of Patriots United held a motion to disband as an organization for the following two reasons:

  • All the board members were occupied in other venues that were taking up a majority of their time, with no replacements available.
  • Several members of the board were directed to give their energy and time commitments towards ‘Our Great Eight’ believing this would have a more direct impact on citizens, especially the youth of our country.

A vote was taken, which resulted in a unanimous vote to disband Patriots United, giving full attention to ‘Our Great Eight’ a newly formed constituency.

It is with sadness and gladness that we turn our attention from what has been to what will be!

As is true with conservative thought, it is imperative to look back and find encouragement in the great truths we stand on, and find inspiration to spring forward to the things yet to be done.

More information on OG8.

More information on Our Great Eight.

We take off our hats to ‘Patriots United’ and bow our heads in gratitude and appreciation for all who have led us from the beginning, to the faithfulness of our constituents, and to our sister and brother organizations we have had the privilege of standing beside.

Blessings to all as we move forward, carrying the torch of freedom through ‘Our Great Eight’ and those who stand for liberty in the United States of America.

OG8 web site addressGod bless and please join us!

Maida Korte, Jackie Larson, Bill Parrot and John Wuich
Board Members
Patriots United


Comments

Patriots United No More — 11 Comments

  1. Or MAYBE they don’t represent America.

    No diversity whatsoever.

    I suspect the majority of the Tea Party GOP will ousted in November.

  2. There’s plenty of women in the Tea Party, that’s diversity and they represent America.

    There’s no financial diversity among the Democrats in the Illinois General Assembly…all they do is hike benefits beyond the funding, be it pension benefits, retiree healthcare benefits, current healthcare benefits, etc.

  3. Well Jack Franks never ceases to amaze me with
    His hypocrisy.

    Seriously, he was slamming the Mchenry County
    Board for cronyism, when he plays footsy with Madigan
    & takes his/Madigan’s campaign contributions.

    Hope u read this Jack, because you need feedback on
    How often you stick your hypocritical foot in your mouth.

    After 18 years there is plenty of material to point out
    Your hypocrisy with.

    People have more of a memory of your misdeeds than
    You think.

  4. I believe that people have come to see the futility of
    living in Illinois and expecting those in Springfield
    to act in a fiscally responsible manner with the best
    interest of all in mind.
    .
    They have come to the realization that the states fiscal crisis can not and will not will not be solved in their lifetimes.
    .
    With this mind more Illinoisans have, or are in the process of, abandoning this once great state, and who in their right mind can blame them ?

  5. Illinois conservatives are voting with their feet.

    Question: Are you a Patriot if you vote with your feet?

    Did Patriots United run out of Patriots?

    Wake up folks!

    Those who can afford to leave have or will.

    Will only the takers and those who can not afford to leave be able to co-exist?

    As long as union greed continues to be fed by the likes of Franks and Madigan, the downward spiral of this state will match Detroit.

  6. It already has, Questioning. karma is an idiot.

    Only gives emotional knee jerk comments that have to do with any kind of reality.

  7. Karmas remark describes the Illinois Democrat party perfectly.
    Good call Karma !

    And give our regards to Madigan and Cullerton for the
    great job of driving Illinois into a fiscal abyss.

  8. @Karma

    What on earth will all of you progressives do when the producers in this state decide that they are tired of paying for you and your friends?

    It’s gonna happen sooner than you think, and it’s going to be loads of fun to watch.

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