Ashamed And A Little Scared

By Major Van Harl USAF Ret

Wisconsin –-(Ammoland.com)-  So what do I know? I predicted that based on less than robust ammunition sales leading up to the November presidential election that the incumbent was not going to win.

I was wrong, sadly I was wrong. As I watched the results come in I started to have a sinking feeling that he was going to be re-elected.

When the news flashed onto the TV screen I go up out of my chair and told the Colonel I was headed to my computer to order some ammo.As I made my way to my computer, the daughter texted her mother, “how is dad holding up-tell him he has my permission to send $200 of my inheritance on ammo.”

Like father, like daughter when the election result was known we both thought of the same thing, time to order some ammo. I could not get on line with Cheaperthandirt.com, a great, supplier of ammo and all things in the preparedness world. So I called their number 800-421-8047 and got put on hold. When the sales person came on the phone line you could hear the noise of heavy calling in the background. I ordered the items I wanted and then asked her how the evening was going. Her reply was that it had been slow until about fifteen minutes before I called and then the phone banks were ringing off the hook.

First thing Wednesday morning 7th November 2012 I call the Powder Horn Gun Shop in San Antonio, Texas. David Day, the owner, has been in business there for over thirty five years. When he answered the phone I asked “has it started?” His reply was “it has started.” We cut the conversation short because he had a store full of gun and ammo buyers.

I called discountammosales.com at 860-676-0610. They usually have a great selection of ammo and really good prices. According to the sales associate I spoke to they had done more sales the evening of 6th November 2012 after the election results, then they normally do in a week of regular ammo transactions.

38 Special was the ammo that disappeared first after the 2007 election, so I headed out to buy a few extra boxes. Wal-Mart still has some of the best prices for basic handgun and rifle ammo. At the two stores I went to in the Milwaukee area I waited in line to be helped because people had been buying ammo there all day.

During this short road trip I stopped by the grave of Captain Lance P. Sijan USAF. Captain Sijan was an Air Force pilot captured by the North Vietnamese. They beat him to death in the Hanoi Hilton. I like to go out to his grave sight because it is quiet and nobody is around, so I can think in the silence. I found myself telling Captain Sijan I was sorry for what his country has turned into.

Then I heard myself whisper I was ashamed and a little scared. I am ashamed of what my Federal Government has become in the past 40 plus years since Captain Sijan lost his life defending the American way of life. We have a President who I truly believe does not have the best interest of America in mind. And as for both political parties I know they do not have the Nation’s back.

About being scared, I am not scared for myself I have “got mine.” I am scared for my daughter and any future grand kids I may be blessed with. Our Government has either given away or promised to give away everything the public could want and when there is no money to pay for it the public has come to expect it anyway—no matter what.

The Air Force and Navy is half the size it was when I joined back in the late 1970s. Now they want to cut even more. It is half the size. American people, what are you willing to get rid of and still be able to sleep safe at night? Scrap some ships and planes. Fire 100,000 troops. This will save money but at what cost? If Captain Sijan had come home from his war he would most likely have children and grandchildren by now. But he did not come home and he has no follow-on generations. Sadly these unborn may be the lucky ones.

The run on firearms and ammo has started again. I am not going to predict how bad it will get. My predictions have been pretty poor this year, but the public is scared. Even good citizens can become very afraid of their elected leaders.

There is no 1st Amendment Right without a 2nd Amendment Right. We the people need to ensure our leaders take charge and lead–not take control.

7 Nov 2012
Major Van Harl USAF Ret
[email protected]

About Major Van Harl USAF Ret.:
Major Van E. Harl USAF Ret. , is a career Police Officer in the U.S. Air Force was born in Burlington, Iowa, USA, in 1955. He was the Deputy Chief of police at two Air Force Bases and the Commander of Law Enforcement Operations at another. Now retired, these days he enjoys camping, traveling, volunteering with the Girl Scouts and writing. [email protected]