The Patriot by Dewey Goldsmith Page B

don’t worry about fixing rations for tonight, her and some of the others are fixing supper for us and we will be bringing it out later. About dusk Tim pulled into the camp area along with another vehicle. James and Joshua were with him. Several ladies in the other car had come with them. The men began carrying out food and the women spread cloths on the ground and started setting up a real picnic dinner fit for kings. The men all ate heartily and told the women how much their kindness and support meant to them. They passed the evening talking about old times and hopes for tomorrow and in no time it seemed the hour was late.
    Before leaving the women said the local townspeople, men and women, are organizing a village defense force. We now have more than five hundred citizens armed and ready to take back our village if the military tries to return. We will be ready to march with you when the time comes to take the fight to them. People are doing the same thing in every town across the county and in highland and Adams counties as well. Goldie told the women we fight because we know what we have at home is worth fighting for. You are the love and strength that bonds us together as families and friends. He told Tim and his sons go now and escort the women home then meet us here tomorrow around noon. He gave his sons a hug and said tell my grandkids I love them and will to see them soon.
    After they had departed Mac said Goldie I wonder what Richard and the others are planning for us. Goldie replied we should know soon I’m sure. I expected he would have called by now he must be working on something special. They turned the radio on to see if anything new had developed. The newscasters were still talking about the deaths and destruction caused by recent terrorist attacks. The report said many United Nations member states are alarmed at the prospect of facing millions of armed civilian militia, many who have wartime military experience, and are urging the Security Council not to take direct military action in support of the current American regime. Reports say there have been military coups already as the new regime tries to eliminate those whose loyalties are in question. It is feared outside intervention may cause widespread dissent among the military ranks. Mac said dam it’s time men of courage made their stand in the services.
    Finally as night fell the men retired to rest. Mac awakened Goldie and told him said Richard and the captain are en route and would be here in about an hour. The men were heating breakfast rations and soon all sat down to eat and enjoy the coffee. Later the lookout signaled that Richard and his companions had arrived. Richard, the captain, and his team dismounted and everyone poured a cup of coffee and began to discuss the latest events. First Richard said I want to commend you on your successful operation in Columbus, and advise that our operations in St Louis and Philadelphia were successful. The traitors have been taught another lesson in old-fashioned American patriotism. We have taken out many of the appointed governors, his military leaders, and United Nations advisors. We took out scores of their soldiers and we did not lose a man.
    Now a matter of great importance has come to our attention. We have learned that the new appointed governor and his military counterparts have decided to send a large military force into your sector to search you out and destroy your capability to fight. A regimental force of thirty six hundred light infantry forces and a transportation support company of one thousand are to be deployed into your sector. Our informant tells us they will be moving in from fort Knox Kentucky and should arrive in this area within a week. Goldie said fort Knox has always been what most men refer to as a homesteader’s base, that is, it’s a place where the good old boys get assigned for the duration of their careers. I know people who spend their whole dam twenty years there without