Back to the August 2003 Newsletter Index

Dear Friend of Defend Life,

WOW! What a summer it has been!

First, it was Joe Scheidler's Victory Rally in Chicago, on Saturday, June 7, at which 1 was so honored to speak in the very shadow of the federal courthouse where much of the historic I7-year long Scheidler vs. NOW trial took place. Please read the enclosed talk which 1 delivered with great passion.

Next, I attended the outstanding Delaware Right to Life Banquet on Friday, June 13. Upon my arrival, the feisty Moira Sheridan, President of Delaware Right to Life, told me that Alan Keyes, the keynote speaker had not yet arrived. 1 told Moira not to worry as Alan had been delayed on two previous occasions when he spoke in Baltimore. She said, "No, his car is broken down back in Maryland." In any case, 1 had the honor of driving back to the Maryland House rest stop on 1-95 to "res­cue" America's greatest orator during a pounding rain storm that soaked both Alan and myself. 1 was fas­cinated to learn that Alan, who was a "military brat" had lived in the Liberty Heights corridor in Northwest Baltimore during his formative years. Once we had arrived safely at the banquet, Alan gave his usual out­standing talk. What else would you expect from our country's greatest orator? Later, 1 met Alan's lovely wife Jocelyn, who met us at the Maryland House on the return leg of our trip.  

Then, I attended the Second Annual Pro-Life Awards Banquet on Friday, June 20 at Michael's Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie. This awesome bash, hosted by Michael and Stephen Peroutka, was attended by 350 avid pro-lif­ers. It was easily the largest pro-life gathering in Maryland's history. Steve Peroutka was the master of ceremonies and kept everybody laughing. Michael Peroutka sang the stirring fourth stanza of the Star Spangled Banner while playing his guitar. Joe Scheidler gave the same stirring talk he had given two weeks before in Chicago. It was very clear from the fantastic turnout at this banquet that the pro-life movement in Maryland is growing rapidly as it never has before.

The remainder of June and nearly all of July were spent preparing for our Third Annual Maryland Face the Truth Tour, July 28- August 1. We were hoping and praying that with your support, this summer's Truth Tour would be the biggest and best ever, anywhere. At numerous stops, we had over 100 pro-lifers or more holding signs or passing out literature. Such stops included Embassy Rowand the Holocaust Museum, both in Washington, Hagerstown, Frederick, and Westminster which still holds the record at 127, thanks to dauntless Captains Vince Perticone and Dawn Walsh.

Downtown Baltimore was another awesome stop where we "surrounded" the block occu­pied by the Legg-Mason Tower in the heart of Baltimore's financial district during lunch hour and had two "saves". Northern Parkway was another great stop during afternoon rush hour as was Towson earlier that momlllg.

In some cases, we had signs stretching out for a half-mile such as White Marsh Mall where we occupied the large grassy island with our two-sided signs which could be easily seen from either direction and seemed to stretch out forever. God even provided trees to support the extra signs we had.

Towards the end of the White Marsh stop, I was holding a "Honk for Life" sign while urging oncoming drivers to honk their horns on my "Radio Shack" bullhorn. Lo and behold, a beautiful flock of "enthusiastically honking" Canadian geese flew directly overhead and landed just across the street from "The Avenue." They were so low, no more than 15 feet, that I could clearly see their webbed feet extended fully down in preparation for landing. Coincidence? Perhaps? But, I really believe that it was the Holy Spirit's way of saying how pleased He was with our five-day Face the Truth Tour.

There were many unexplicable happenings during our tour which could only be explained by the Hand of God. I'll mention just two. One was a Eucharistic Miracle that one of our Core Team members experienced during the Consecration at the Mass celebrated by Father Peter West of Priests for Life at Sacred Heart Church in,Bowie. The other was at the Holocaust Museum when one of our sign holders, Prudencia, a 67-year old lady from Paraguay, was accidentally knocked down by a pushy passer-by. She landed flat on her back on the copcrete sidewalk, felt no pain in her back, got up imme­diately, and later claimed that she could feel somebody whom she believes was the Blessed Mother "breaking" her fall. Minutes later Prudencia was enthusiastically passing out brochures at the nearby Smithsonian Metro station.

Speaking of brochures, we passed out thousands of our cleverly worded brochures. We estimate that 300,000 per­sons saw our signs during the five-day Truth Tour. Another 300,000 saw the two wonderful Truth Trucks from New Jersey and California which accompanied us. The response from passers-by was much more positive than negative. Some per­sons even stopped to commend us and inquire how they could become involved.

Another heartening aspect was all of you who attended more than one stop and those of you who participated for more than one day. Over 1,100 persons participated throughout the 17 stops! The wonderful hospitality provided to our Core Team at luncheons and suppers was more        than memorable, not to mention our comfortable evernight accommodations. Having both

Father West and Father Denis Wilde with us was indispensable! Pro-lifer Margaret Heckler, Ronald Reagan's Ambassador to Ireland, told a "never before in public" story of how she was born into this world. Who will ever forget Erik Scheidler's stirring introduction of his father, Joe Scheidler, including his wonderful Charlie Brown story.

Wall-to-wall pro-lifers celebrated at the Voctory Picnic at the beautiful home of Joe Frese in Fallston. Grace Sims, our Washington Director, wisely suggested we share stories while the memories were still fresh in our minds.

Nancy Bradford, Tour Director, and Grace Sims were exemplary in the courageous and tireless leadership they provided. Nancy has decided that the dates for the 2004 Summer Truth Tour will be June 14-18. Mark these dates on your calendar now! Contact Nancy at 410-557-9155 offacethetruth@yahoo.com to sign up for our 20 member Core Team or to provide suggestions.

Grace Sims was so excited about successfully organizing the Washington stops that spe had trouble sleeping for weeks prior to the tour. Grace is primarily responsible for two incredibly successful stops in Washington. So unbridled is Grace's enthusiasm, that she wants to do full time pro-life evangelization. To help Grace achieve this goal financially, she would greatly appreciate your help. Contact Grace at 703-528-5522 or facethetruth@earthlink.com.

Where do we go from here? I propose we capitalize on our momentum by having at least one mini-tour each month. Our August 17, Ocean City Tour is a good example of such a Mini Truth Tour.

HERE ARE SUGGESTIONS FOR MINI TRUTH TOURS. GIVE US YOURS!

• Piggyback on University of MD, Navy and Towson State football games as fans arrive beforehand.
• The Holocaust Museum will always be a great place to revisit, particularly on Saturdays and weekday afternoons.
• Prior to Oriole Night games at Camden Yards.
• Revisiting Embassy Row, Northern Parkway, Rockville, White Marsh Mall, Frederick, Bowie, Bel Air, Annapolis and other proven stops on Saturday mornings & weekday afternoons.

If you have a used cargo van you could donate, please contact me at 410-337-3721. If you know a pro-life used car dealer who could help us please let me know. Otherwise, any contribution you could make towards the $5,000 purchase price of this vehicle would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for all that you do to save pre-born babies from death by abortion!

Long Live Christ the King
signed Jack Ames, Director

PS. Notice the many upcoming events listed in this newsletter. Plan to attend the "THERESE" play at Immaculate Conception on Thursday evening, October 2. Call Dolores Orlando at 410-882-5191 for more information. Contact Cookie Harris at 410-666-9411 to arrange at great pro-life speaker at your church!

PPS. To help Grace Sims go full-time in pro-life, write "Grace Sims Stipend Fund" on the memo line of your check and your donation will be forwarded to her.