Supporters of President Donald Trump form a line outside of MBS International Airport as they wait for his campaign rally to begin Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020 in Freeland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)
Supporters of President Donald Trump form a line outside of MBS International Airport as they wait for his campaign rally to begin Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020 in Freeland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)
Photo: (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)
Supporters of President Donald Trump form a line outside of MBS International Airport as they wait for his campaign rally to begin Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020 in Freeland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)
Supporters of President Donald Trump form a line outside of MBS International Airport as they wait for his campaign rally to begin Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020 in Freeland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)
Trump supporters gather hours ahead of rally
The line steadily grew Thursday at MBS International Airport in Freeland as people awaited a visit from President Donald Trump later in the day.
Trump's campaign announced the Freeland visit last week and the president is expected to give remarks at about 7 p.m. today, Sept. 10. Trucks, cars, RVs and pop up tents spotted the airport parking lot and patriotic songs permeated the air, blasting from various vehicles.
Some people sold Trump-themed merchandise and many of the attendees wore some kind of supportive accessory, such as Make America Great Again hats. People waiting in line brought blankets, coolers, lawn chairs and other conveniences to help them in the wait until doors open at 4 p.m.
Tyler Meszaros, 18, traveled two hours from Bedford alone to attend the event Thursday, which will be his second time hearing Trump speak. He said hes always been a Trump supporter, however, this year he will be able to vote in the Nov. 3 election.
I knew once the opportunity came again I would never miss it it was the best experience of my life seeing him, he said.
Meszaros said his favorite part of Trump events is being surrounded by like-minded people and the camaraderie.
Were all people here gathering around; believing in the same thing; supporting the morals of this country and the moral beliefs that weve always had and coming together as a family I guess you could say, he said. You could be around these people any day of the week.
For some, like Frank Dawe, Thursdays event was the first rally they had been to for the 45th president of the United States.
I see a lot of excited people everybodys wearing Trump paraphernalia of some sort," the 76-year-old Saginaw resident said. Were all here for the same cause its a good feeling.
This was also Robi Rodriguez first rally. The 36-year-old from St. Louis said she loved the opportunity to finally get to see Trump speak.
Theres so much positivity theres not one person Ive met so far who hasnt been so supportive of our president, Rodriguez said. Ive never gotten to see a president speak before, so this is a big deal for me.
This was Jim Brinkmans second rally, having seen the president speak last December in Battle Creek. Brinkman, 65, traveled to Freeland from his home in Cass City.
Todays a lot warmer (than the Battle Creek rally), Brinkman said. I think there will be quite a few people here I think itll be a good deal. Its kinda nice to be around a bunch of people that feel like you feel.
For Dan Hess, a 69-year-old from Mount Pleasant, coming to Thursdays rally was a chance to support a president he thinks stands for veterans like him. Hess served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.
I think (Trumps) doing a great job, Hess said. He has a lot of great ideas, and hes done exactly what he said he was gonna do, whereas most politicians say theyre going to do something, and mainly they dont. Hes done a lot for us vets.
The Trump Unity Bridge made an appearance as well on Thursday. The red, white and blue decorated, 30-foot parade float owned by Livonia resident Rob Cortis was most recently in Traverse City and recently visited the Thumb, but Cortis said hes constantly on the road with the display.
Were hardly ever home," he said. "Were on the road over 300 days a year so home is USA America, he said.
Cortis said the goal of touring with the float is to educate people.
Recently the Unity Bridge made headlines after it was stolen and the subject of a brief police chase in Oklahoma. Cortis said someone hopped in his truck and took off with the float, driving through lawns and running from police. It was damaged in the ordeal and Cortis said hes since been patching it back together since.
Were here we cant let the people down, Cortis said. We cant let our country down.
David Dickson, who has been following political candidates around for 20 years, was setting up his t-shirt booth, with plenty of shirts, hats, bumper stickers and face masks.
"This week marks five years been on the road (with Trump campaign,)" Dickson said. "We've been to all 48 continental states."
He says he doesn't sell out of merchandise at each stop but said sales are good.
"The enthusiasm for Trump around the country is phenomenal and everyone wants a red hat."
Dickson said he will be at a Trump rally in Reno, Nevada, on Saturday and then in Las Vegas on Sunday.
He said there are eight souvenir booths that travel with the campaign.
"Because of campaign laws, the campaign can't take cash," Dickson said. "We contribute to the campaign."
Dickson said ever since 1892, the presidential candidate who sold the most merchandise won the election.
"If they don't buy the merchandise, they will not vote for him and Joe Biden is selling very little."
Sitting in line for about an hour was Chanteh Fulkerson, of Flint, who had been to a Trump rally last year in Grand Rapids.
"We hope to hear the continuation of how he going to make American great again, and how he is going to stop all the Democratic nonsense with the looting and rioting," Fulkerson said.
And jobs, her companion added.
How has she benefited with Trump as president? "How haven't I?" she answered, adding she has benefitted in every aspect.
A few people behind Fulkerson was Terry Carroll from Roseville, who said he is a Trump supporter because of what the president has keeping his promises since in office.
"Even with resistance he is still getting a lot done," Carroll said. "I see him as a man of his word. He's not a perfect man but you know what? Nobody would be who's going to be in office. He's doing a lot of good things for the country."
Among the President Trump supporters were a group was Nancy and Allen Yenior of Sterling. They staked out a spot at 9:20 a.m., sitting comfortably in their lawn chairs decorated with flags.
Hes good for the economy. Hes pro-military and pro-police, Nancy said.
He puts America first, Allen added.
The Yeniors expected the president to address his values and how he differs from presidential candidate Joe Biden.
We had such a great economy going and then the virus happened. I think hes the one that can bring the economy back. I think it would be a sad state of affairs if it went the other way, Nancy said.
Further down the line was a group of Native Americans for Trump. Among them was Elise Bennett of Mount Pleasant who also admired Trumps effect on the economy before the pandemic and how it was beneficial for minorities.
I saw a lot of my family members get raises or find jobs when they couldnt get work in a long time, Bennett said.
Trump claims he is for our country, but he also proves it. Thats something big we havent seen in the presidency since Reagan, said Kelly Chamberlin of Mount Pleasant.
Chamberlin also cited President Trumps dedication to freedom of religion and freedom of all.
(Opponents) cant stand him because hes done everything hes promised, said Kyle Weaver of Detroit. All they do is resist and obstruct, anything possible to mislead and misguide the American people.
Bennett also explained how President Trump signed an executive order creating a task force to address missing Native American women and children, provided money to language preservation, as well as signed in six new Native American tribes, officially recognizing them.
As someone from a tribal community, I know how hard those communities probably fought to get recognition for sovereignty rights, Bennett said.
Christopher Ward of Waterford voted for Gary Johnson in 2016 but began supporting President Trump shortly after he was elected.
I was misinformed at that time, Ward said. Within the first three months of him in office, I changed my mind about him and gave him my full support, especially in his pursuit of bringing down trafficking of teens and children.
Andrea Paschall of Saginaw came with a homemade sign reading Latinos for Trump. She attempted to attend a rally in Grand Rapids, but arrived too late.
His policies align with my values, Paschall said. Trump tells it like it is. Were tired of the lies. Every time you turn on the news or go on social media, all of its lies.
Paschall hoped that the president hypes up the crowd and remind of Americas greatness.
Michael Woods of California took a few minutes to talk after adjusting a few sound levels on speakers, set up outside his camper in the parking lot. The U.S. Air Force theme song, Wild Blue Yonder, was blaring loudly.
Woods said he travels around the country, playing patriotic music at rallies and events, and played last week across from the White House for the president. He said a representative of the president delivered a goodie bag to him along with the message that the president appreciates his music.
Carol Volz, 58, Marlette, said Trump is the first president in her lifetime who has made promises that have been kept.
Hes got what it takes, he doesnt back down from China, he does what he says he going to do, Volz said. Hes just the best president in my lifetime. Everything that he says, hes already proven.
Marissa Ferguson, 23, of Croswell, said a lot of people her age arent educated about current events.
They dont realize whats actually happening with defunding the police, the BLM organization, Antifa, anything to do with that. They believe they can live off the government. I grew up in a family of workaholics. You have to work for you have.
She said the No. 1 reason she will vote to keep Trump in office is to keep her freedoms.
Im big on the Second Amendment. I think everyone has a right to own a gun and protect yourself.
Volz added, The alternative right now is socialism.
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Trump supporters gather hours ahead of rally - Midland Daily News