Playwright and motivational speaker, Lutulllius Penton is a former history teacher in the Flint Public Schools and is the 5th Congressional District Chairman of the the Republican Party.  He has a World History Degree and A Masters Degree in American Culture from the University of Michigan.  Mr. Penton was attending the American Baptist College in Nashville, TN when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 1968 in Memphis and worked in Atlanta doing Civil Rights work.  He has recently attained his MLS Degree in American Culture, from the University of Michigan.  Mr. Penton authored his directed research paper on Poverty Programs and the "War on Poverty in America" and is currently employed as the Director of the Genesee County Community Action Work First Program.     

The 1st Michigan Colored Infantry was formed on February 23, 1863, after an editorial and letter writing campaign by Henry Barns, an editor for the Detroit Tribune and Advertiser.  On May 23, 1864, the unit was redesignated the 102nd Regiment United States Colored Troops. Volunteers came from Detroit, southern Michigan and Ontario, Canada.  Some of the 845 volunteers were escaped slaves from the Underground Railroad, and some were fighting to free their family members who may have still been in slavery.  During training, a regimental band was formed which toured to recruit more volunteers.  The 102nd Regiment fought throughout South Carolina, eastern Georgia and Florida and was mustered out of service on September 30, 1985.  The regiment returned to Detroit where they were disbanded on October 17, 1865.   The total enrollment was 1,446. 

The United States War Department issued General Order Number 143 on May 22, 1863, establishing a “Bureau of Colored Troops” to facilitate the recruitment of Africa-American soldiers to fight for the Union Army.  Regiments, including infantry, cavalry, light artillery and heavy artillery units were recruited from all states of the Union and became known as the United States Colored Troops (USCT).  Approximately 175 regiments of more than 178,000 free blacks and freed slaves served during the last two years of the war, and bolstered the Union war effort as a critical time.  By war’s end, the USCT was approximately a tenth of all Union troops.  There were 2,751 USCT combat casualties during the war, and 68,178 losses from all causes.

The dramatization is sponsored by The Western Thumb TEA Party which is committed to educating family, friends and neighbors.  Part of the TEA party experience is gaining enough information to make knowledgeable choices.  There will be information on immigration, health care, cap and trade.  Everyone is welcome.  Doors open at 5:30 p.m.  For more information visit www.tuscolatea.org or email tuscolatea@yahoo.com or call 989-272-5416.

Information will be available Thursday, May 6, at the Vassar Bullard Sanford Memorial Library, 520 W Huron from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Tri City 912’s Erik Johnson will speak about getting involved in local politics by becoming a precinct delegate.

The position of precinct delegate has been called the most important elected official.  Becoming a precinct delegate gives you a place at the table in setting county political party goals and policies.  The official role of precinct delegates is to attend county conventions to elect delegates and alternates to the state conventions.  As a precinct delegate you are taking an active role in retaining and strengthening the freedoms that make America great and are making a difference.

Delegates can act as a go-between for the voters and the political party to which they belong.  They may help with voter registration and take voter issues and questions back to party leaders.  As a precinct delegate, a person can help their neighbors with local concerns.  Precinct Delegates help the party at the local level with voter identification, help turn out the vote, assist candidates, and determine local and state party leadership.

You must act soon if you want to have a say in the local leadership and future direction of your country.   The filing deadline is May 11.   Filing forms and a notary public will be available at the meeting.  If elected you will serve a two year term.

The meeting is sponsored by The Western Thumb TEA Party which is committed to educating family, friends and neighbors.  Part of the TEA Party experience is gaining enough information to make knowledgeable choices.  There will be information on immigration, health care, cap and trade.  Everyone is welcome.  For more information visit www.tuscolatea.org or email tuscolatea@yahoo.com or call 989-272-5416.

Contact:    marge731@gmail.com    or    www.tuscolatea.org

Western Thumb TEA Party Group

Twenty First Century Patriots

www.tuscolatea.org

“WAKE UP AMERICA” RALLY COMING TO CARO

Are you are tired of footing the bill for Washington D.C.?  The Western Thumb Tea Party Group has a better idea.  A Wake up America Freedom Festival will be held on September 12, 2009, at the Tuscola County Courthouse lawn in Caro, MI, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.  Speakers have been invited to share information on topics like health care, energy laws, national security and federal debt.

While Congress is on recess, many elected officials are holding town hall meetings.  However, Representative Dale Kildee and Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin have chosen not to answer questions and share information in person.  Dale Kildee has agreed to a telephone question and answer session with pre-registered callers.  Congress reconvenes in September, and healthcare bill HR3200, environmental quality Cap and Trade, Homeland Security and the trillion dollar deficit will be discussed.  This information and how our elected representatives will vote should affect the 2010 election.  Each politician’s office has been contacted and invited to send a representative to speak at the September 12^th rally in Caro.

The Western Thumb Tea Party Group is a bipartisan collection of individuals that love America.  They want elected officials to read the bills they vote on.  They also believe in freedom of religion, speech and the press; and the right to assembly and petition.  After attending a tea party rally in Port Huron, Co-chair Judy Neblock decided that she had to get involved.  When 15 people showed up on her porch in response to a small ad, she knew she was on to something.  Semi-retired teacher and Co-chair Marge Phillips said factual information is the key and we need to reach the voters.  Meetings held at the Vassar Library have seen attendance grow to 75 people of all ages.

On September 11, 2001, the Twin Towers in New York City were destroyed by terrorists.  September 12, has become a day to remind us of our freedoms and to be diligent so they are not taken away.  There will be a rally at the Capitol steps in Washington D.C. We will join with them in spirit at the Tuscola County Courthouse lawn at 440 N State Street (M-81) in Caro from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.  Bring your lawn chairs. For more information on the Wake up America Freedom Festival, visit www.tuscolatea.org