Semi-truck air horns were blaring and motorists were honking, waving and giving the thumbs-up sign Friday as members of Villagers for Trump staged a flag-waving event in Wildwood.
The group, which now boasts 1,700 members and clearly has become the choice among Villages Republicans, set up on all four corners at the intersection of State Road 44 and U.S. 301. They sported a variety of signs showing support for President Trump and denouncing everything from socialism to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. And they were thrilled with the response they received from passing motorists at the busy intersection, which is a heavily traveled route for truckers.
“I think it’s good,” said Donna Hoak, co-chair of Villagers for Trump’s Action Committee and a resident of the Village of Liberty Park. “We’re getting a lot of truckers out here that we don’t get in The Villages,” she added, referring to a June 14 flag-waving rally at the intersection of Morse Boulevard and County Road 466.
Sue Cianci, who lives in the Village of Charlotte and also serves as co-chair of the Action Committee, said she was particularly happy to hear so many truckers honking their horns and showing their support for the president.
“We know they have jobs and they’re happy,” She said. “That’s the most important thing is getting them jobs. Of all the things Trump has done, that’s the best one.”
Friday’s event also saw some new faces among the Villagers for Trump contingent. Sisters Jaye Mathews and Teresa Johnson, both of Wildwood, said they were thrilled to be a part of the event and are looking forward to becoming members of the highly popular Trump-supporting group.
“In the beginning, I wasn’t for Trump. I voted for him but I wasn’t backing him,” said Mathews, a retired Sumter County Sheriff’s captain. “But that man has done an amazing job and I’m very proud of him. He did what he said he was going to do.”
Mathews said Trump is the first president in quite a long time to actually do the things he promised.
“I think he deserves four more years to finish what he said he’s going to do,” she said.
Johnson, who manages Alcoholics Anonymous in Sumter and Lake counties, said she’s excited because Trump has made a commitment to battle the opioid crisis and alcoholism.
“I believe he’s going to do what he says he’s going to do,” she said.
Meanwhile, Tony and Debbie Garcia, of the Village of Mallory Square, were decked out in their Trump gear with signs that read, “Wave That Wand” and “Say No to Abortion Save The Babies.” Tony, who came to the United States from Cuba with his sister when he was 12 and was forced to leave his parents behind, said it’s important for Americans to fight against those who are in favor of bringing socialism or communism in our country’s government.
“Socialism is here,” he said. “There are many people in Congress who are socialists. We have found that out by getting educated about the things that they are doing and what they want to do to our country. Plus, members of the Muslim Brotherhood, who are also in government, want to instill their Sharia law onto the American Constitution.”
Debbie said it’s crucial for Americans to become active in supporting the president and his re-election bid. And Tony said it’s crucial for Americans to realize that conservatives are involved in a huge battle.
“The others are fighting and we don’t even know we’re in a fight,” he said. “But we are in a fight. We’re in a fight for our way of life.”
