| Copyright © 2007 - 2012 ProudConservative.com™ All rights reserved |
On September 11th, 2007 Sean Hannity along with the Freedom Alliance hosted the 5th annual Freedom Concert in
Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. The concert is held to raise funds for the Freedom Alliance Scholarship
Fund. This scholarship fund was set up to pay for the children of the brave men and women, who gave their lives for
this country, to go to college. I can't think of a better charity to raise money for.
Great Adventure was only open to the concert goers this year. It was an amazing day once again. I try to explain it to
people who ask about it and it's hard to put into words. "Did you go on any rides?" they often ask. "No, I didn't," I
reply. "Well, what the heck did you do all day and why was it so amazing?" "You have to be there to understand."
Now I know that seems extremely vague, but it is too complicated for me to put into words. It's the atmosphere. It's
the knowledge that you are surrounded by 15,000 other Americans who love this country and love and support our
troops. It's the ability to meet some of our conservative celebrities. It's just a magical experience that one can only
experience by being there.
The park opened at 12:00. I showed up at 10:15 believing that the park opened up at 10:00. It was raining off and on
as I waited to get in. I met up with a few of my friends from an online political forum I belong to and we officially
introduced ourselves to each other....although it was if we knew each other all along. The gates opened and we waited
for one more of our friends from the same forum and when he arrived, we headed over to watch Andrew Wilkow do
his radio show. Sean invited Andrew to do the "Wilkow Majority" radio show from the concert and they set up in
what was supposed to be the book signing area. However, with the weather getting nasty, the book signing area was
moved clear across the park to an indoor pavilion. Andrew did his show in what at times was a downpour. Of course
he and the equipment were under a big tent type of thing, but the wind and rain was everywhere. It got so bad at one
point, he invited everyone watching to come up on the stage with him under the tent. We watched the rest of his show
from the stage and with 2 minutes left in his show, he says something like, "Trent come on up here for a minute." I tried
to remain calm, but I am not the best public speaker and get very nervous when there is a microphone in front of me.
We spoke briefly about ProudConservative.com and about how technology and the internet and sites such as
MySpace are helping the younger conservatives, such as ourselves, reach more people. He then asked about the
fairness doctrine and as I was about to answer, his producer Rizzuto appeared and starting counting down with his
fingers that the show was ending in 7...6...5 which made me even more nervous. I realized I would be able to finish my
answer in 5 seconds and I think I blurted out something like, "Uhhhhhh uhh...I'm sorry." Yep, there is a reason I have a
website and not a radio show. Afterwards, I had Andrew sign the shirt I will be auctioning off shortly to benefit the
Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund. We chatted briefly and I introduced my friends to Andrew. After, I asked my
friends what the heck I said because I couldn't remember. Jen said I did fine but I did look like a deer caught in the
headlights. That's probably the understatement of the day.
It was time to head off for some lunch. We went out to the cars and had our version of a tailgating party. O.K. Jen
brought sandwiches, I brought sodas and chips and Mike brought cannolis, and we ate outside the rear of my car. So
it was sort of a tailgating party.
We headed back into the park and over to the book signing area. We got in line and met and spoke briefly to Ann
Coulter. She was so nice and sweet to everyone. I didn't get the chance to meet her last year, so I was thrilled to meet
her this year. She commented, "Those shirts are great! I love it." about my "Liberalism is the philosophy of the stupid"
and Mike's "Liberals are friggin idiots" shirt. I think I had a grin from ear to ear for the rest of the day on that quote
alone! My friend Darlene asked if Ann would sign her arm and Ann thought that was great. She said, "I feel like a
rock star." She then signed the shirt I am auctioning off.
We then met LtCol. Oliver North. As with last year, I once again was in awe and don't think I actually got any words
out to him. He signed the shirt I am auctioning off.
We got in line to meet Laura Ingraham, but she had to leave before we got up to her.
We headed over to get in line to watch Sean Hannity do part of his radio show. Because of the weather this year,
Sean did his radio show from inside an auditorium. There was only enough room for 1000 people at a time, so they let
1000 people watch for an hour, then they let in another 1000 people, and then finally 1000 thousand more people.
The hour that we watched, Sean had Marty up on stage. Niger Innis was there. John Voight came in. Leanne
Rhymes stopped in for a bit as did Elizabeth Hasselbeck. During commercial breaks Sean would come to the edge of
the stage and sign autographs and stuff. Sean signed the shirt I will be auctioning off.
After the hour was up we headed back over to the book signing area. On the way we saw Curtis Sliwa taking pictures
with people and signing autographs. Curtis signed the shirt I will be auctioning off.
Upon reaching the book signing area again, we found out Mark Levin was there. As we waited in line to meet him,
Newt Gingrich showed up. I met Newt and he signed the shirt I will be auctioning off. We then met Mark Levin, who
I have to say is one of the most intelligent, yet funny, conservatives out there. He is the Great One. He also signed the
shirt I will be auctioning off.
We headed out for a beverage break where we met up with the guy who runs MarkLevinFan.com. I was excited to
meet some of the other posters from MarkLevinFan.com throughout the day as well.
Sean introduced a variety of speakers who all came up and spoke for a few minutes. Ann Coulter spoke, Mark Levin
spoke. Rudy Guiliani came out and spoke. It was September 11th, remember. He received a standing ovation.
Elizabeth Hasselbeck spoke. Geraldo, who received a somewhat cool reception, spoke. LtCol. Oliver North spoke
to some of the recipients of the Freedom Alliance Scholarships. He also brought up the parents of one of the young
men serving in Iraq and Fox News had a satellite connection so that they could have a few minutes to speak wih each
other with video.
The music kicked off with Lee Greenwood. You hear Sean talk about it on his show, but it was great to experience in
real life, that when he sings "God bless the USA" everyone in the audience holds up their cell phones with their lights on.
Sort of an updated version of holding up a lighter.
Leann Rimes was on next. I have to admit, I am not a huge country music fan. Leann has a beautiful voice though.
Montgomery Gentry was the headline act. Again, not a big country music fan, but these guys put on a great show! It
was energetic. They were very patriotic and supportive of our troops.
The concert ended. We made our way back to our cars. I said goodbye to my friends and then started the 2 1/2 hour
drive back home. All in all, it was once again an amazing experience. All I can say is, if you have any chance of going
to a future Freedom Concert....do it! It is so worth it. And please keep the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund in
your thoughts when choosing a charity to donate to. I will be back again next year for sure.
Here are some of the pictures from the day. I took a few of them and the rest were taken by my friends Jen and Mike.
Thank you Jen and Mike for allowing me to use your photos.
Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. The concert is held to raise funds for the Freedom Alliance Scholarship
Fund. This scholarship fund was set up to pay for the children of the brave men and women, who gave their lives for
this country, to go to college. I can't think of a better charity to raise money for.
Great Adventure was only open to the concert goers this year. It was an amazing day once again. I try to explain it to
people who ask about it and it's hard to put into words. "Did you go on any rides?" they often ask. "No, I didn't," I
reply. "Well, what the heck did you do all day and why was it so amazing?" "You have to be there to understand."
Now I know that seems extremely vague, but it is too complicated for me to put into words. It's the atmosphere. It's
the knowledge that you are surrounded by 15,000 other Americans who love this country and love and support our
troops. It's the ability to meet some of our conservative celebrities. It's just a magical experience that one can only
experience by being there.
The park opened at 12:00. I showed up at 10:15 believing that the park opened up at 10:00. It was raining off and on
as I waited to get in. I met up with a few of my friends from an online political forum I belong to and we officially
introduced ourselves to each other....although it was if we knew each other all along. The gates opened and we waited
for one more of our friends from the same forum and when he arrived, we headed over to watch Andrew Wilkow do
his radio show. Sean invited Andrew to do the "Wilkow Majority" radio show from the concert and they set up in
what was supposed to be the book signing area. However, with the weather getting nasty, the book signing area was
moved clear across the park to an indoor pavilion. Andrew did his show in what at times was a downpour. Of course
he and the equipment were under a big tent type of thing, but the wind and rain was everywhere. It got so bad at one
point, he invited everyone watching to come up on the stage with him under the tent. We watched the rest of his show
from the stage and with 2 minutes left in his show, he says something like, "Trent come on up here for a minute." I tried
to remain calm, but I am not the best public speaker and get very nervous when there is a microphone in front of me.
We spoke briefly about ProudConservative.com and about how technology and the internet and sites such as
MySpace are helping the younger conservatives, such as ourselves, reach more people. He then asked about the
fairness doctrine and as I was about to answer, his producer Rizzuto appeared and starting counting down with his
fingers that the show was ending in 7...6...5 which made me even more nervous. I realized I would be able to finish my
answer in 5 seconds and I think I blurted out something like, "Uhhhhhh uhh...I'm sorry." Yep, there is a reason I have a
website and not a radio show. Afterwards, I had Andrew sign the shirt I will be auctioning off shortly to benefit the
Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund. We chatted briefly and I introduced my friends to Andrew. After, I asked my
friends what the heck I said because I couldn't remember. Jen said I did fine but I did look like a deer caught in the
headlights. That's probably the understatement of the day.
It was time to head off for some lunch. We went out to the cars and had our version of a tailgating party. O.K. Jen
brought sandwiches, I brought sodas and chips and Mike brought cannolis, and we ate outside the rear of my car. So
it was sort of a tailgating party.
We headed back into the park and over to the book signing area. We got in line and met and spoke briefly to Ann
Coulter. She was so nice and sweet to everyone. I didn't get the chance to meet her last year, so I was thrilled to meet
her this year. She commented, "Those shirts are great! I love it." about my "Liberalism is the philosophy of the stupid"
and Mike's "Liberals are friggin idiots" shirt. I think I had a grin from ear to ear for the rest of the day on that quote
alone! My friend Darlene asked if Ann would sign her arm and Ann thought that was great. She said, "I feel like a
rock star." She then signed the shirt I am auctioning off.
We then met LtCol. Oliver North. As with last year, I once again was in awe and don't think I actually got any words
out to him. He signed the shirt I am auctioning off.
We got in line to meet Laura Ingraham, but she had to leave before we got up to her.
We headed over to get in line to watch Sean Hannity do part of his radio show. Because of the weather this year,
Sean did his radio show from inside an auditorium. There was only enough room for 1000 people at a time, so they let
1000 people watch for an hour, then they let in another 1000 people, and then finally 1000 thousand more people.
The hour that we watched, Sean had Marty up on stage. Niger Innis was there. John Voight came in. Leanne
Rhymes stopped in for a bit as did Elizabeth Hasselbeck. During commercial breaks Sean would come to the edge of
the stage and sign autographs and stuff. Sean signed the shirt I will be auctioning off.
After the hour was up we headed back over to the book signing area. On the way we saw Curtis Sliwa taking pictures
with people and signing autographs. Curtis signed the shirt I will be auctioning off.
Upon reaching the book signing area again, we found out Mark Levin was there. As we waited in line to meet him,
Newt Gingrich showed up. I met Newt and he signed the shirt I will be auctioning off. We then met Mark Levin, who
I have to say is one of the most intelligent, yet funny, conservatives out there. He is the Great One. He also signed the
shirt I will be auctioning off.
We headed out for a beverage break where we met up with the guy who runs MarkLevinFan.com. I was excited to
meet some of the other posters from MarkLevinFan.com throughout the day as well.
Sean introduced a variety of speakers who all came up and spoke for a few minutes. Ann Coulter spoke, Mark Levin
spoke. Rudy Guiliani came out and spoke. It was September 11th, remember. He received a standing ovation.
Elizabeth Hasselbeck spoke. Geraldo, who received a somewhat cool reception, spoke. LtCol. Oliver North spoke
to some of the recipients of the Freedom Alliance Scholarships. He also brought up the parents of one of the young
men serving in Iraq and Fox News had a satellite connection so that they could have a few minutes to speak wih each
other with video.
The music kicked off with Lee Greenwood. You hear Sean talk about it on his show, but it was great to experience in
real life, that when he sings "God bless the USA" everyone in the audience holds up their cell phones with their lights on.
Sort of an updated version of holding up a lighter.
Leann Rimes was on next. I have to admit, I am not a huge country music fan. Leann has a beautiful voice though.
Montgomery Gentry was the headline act. Again, not a big country music fan, but these guys put on a great show! It
was energetic. They were very patriotic and supportive of our troops.
The concert ended. We made our way back to our cars. I said goodbye to my friends and then started the 2 1/2 hour
drive back home. All in all, it was once again an amazing experience. All I can say is, if you have any chance of going
to a future Freedom Concert....do it! It is so worth it. And please keep the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund in
your thoughts when choosing a charity to donate to. I will be back again next year for sure.
Here are some of the pictures from the day. I took a few of them and the rest were taken by my friends Jen and Mike.
Thank you Jen and Mike for allowing me to use your photos.
| FREEDOM CONCERT 2007 |
| This is me with Andrew Wilkow in the closing minutes of his radio show. I think my friend Jen got it 100% right when she said I looked like a "deer caught in the headlights." |
| This is my friend Darlene getting her arm signed by Ann Coulter. Ann said she felt like a rock star! |
| Ann Coulter addressing the crowd during the Freedom Concert. She was so nice and I was thrilled to meet her this year. |
| This is the next generation of great talk radio, Andrew Wilkow doing his Sirius Satellite radio show, the Wilkow Majority, live from the Freedom Concert. |
| Laura Ingraham also spoke to the crowd during the Freedom Concert. I was disappointed that I didn't get to meet her. |
| "The Great One" Mark Levin. His speech was my favorite of the night. He doesn't give in to political correctness. He isn't afraid to call the libs what they are. There is a reason he is known as The Great One. |
| Rudy Guiliani addressed the crowd. He received a standing ovation. I was happy to see that he didn't try to bring the Presidential elections to this speech. This was a man speaking about his experiences as Mayor of the city of New York on September 11th. |
| Elizabeth Hasselbeck of "The View" was on hand and brought her daughter out on stage to address the crowd. Sean joked that if you thought he had it tough every night with Alan Colmes, imagine being Elizabeth for a year and having to deal with Rosie. |
| I have a lot of respect for Sean Hannity. He doesn't have to put on these Freedom Concerts. He could quietly enjoy his fame, but instead he is giving back and in doing so, raising a lot of money for the Freedom Alliance. |
| Lee Greenwood rocking the house. He was the opening act for this year's Freedom Concert. |
| Leann Rimes...what an incredible voice she has. At only 25 years old, she has a long successful career ahead of her. |
| Like I said above, I am not a country music fan, but Montgomery Gentry put on an amazing and energetic show. |
| Newt Gingrich was there signing books. I had a lot of respect for the 1994 Newt so it was cool to take a picture with him. However, I'm not so sure the 1994 Newt and the current Newt are the same person. |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| THE ABOVE ITEMS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE PROUDCONSERVATIVE.COM STORE PAGE |
