Make America Gala 2026

Recently when our invitation was posted on Cherokee Connect, a Facebook page with over 140,000 members, many vile, accusatory, and misguided comments were made by some folks that were quick to make wrongful assumptions about our Event. In today’s world where folks find gratification from throwing vicious insults from the safety of their living room, nastiness feeds upon more nastiness such that the administrators of Cherokee Connect shut down any further comments. The 80 or so comments from the first hour or so after our posting are still there for you to see, but we are told no more will be allowed. To me, this is regrettable as debate is always a good thing in a free society, though it would be nice if folks would be more civil. With this said, a further explanation to address these comments is warranted. Our Event on May 16th which is our 3rd Event, was named the “Make America…Gala “ primarily because in our Great Nation, every Citizen has the rights to work to Make America whatever they believe It should be. But Citizens that are participating to effect political change in our Country must always remember to follow our Constitution and the Laws that have been enacted because of Our Constitution. Both our Constitution and all the Laws beneath it can be changed. But one cannot change a Law by breaking that Law first before it is changed. That’s illegal and has consequences Many folks in today’s America that wish to Make changes to America do not seem to understand our Constitution nor the way to affect the changes they desire in a peaceful and civil manner. I would like to see changes in America too. I would like to Make America a Country full of Citizens that can debate their differences with civility and without using baseless accusations, vile language, expletives, and nasty insults. Civil debate between opposing viewpoints is essential to our Republic. Yes, we have Republic, not a democracy. A Republic preserves the rights of the minorities to peacefully assemble and petition the Government for a redress of grievances. A democracy does not. Another of BOBAAT’s goals other than honoring our Fallen Officer Joe Burson is to Make America a network of Communities that supports Its Police Forces and its other First responders……and to perhaps one day have some civil debates with those that wish to Make America Defund Its Police. I hope those who have responded negatively to our Event invitation will support our first responders no matter what your political leanings are. Thank you!!!

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-Steve Marcinko- Founder