By DOUG WILSON

Herald-Whig Senior Writer

Saturday was a great day for a patriotic rally at the Quincy Women's City Club.

Flags, patriotic music and speeches stirred a crowd of more than 220 at the Quincy Tea Party's Freedom Celebration.

Thomas Tabback, an author and inspirational speaker, told the audience to remember what the nation's independence is all about.

"This is one of the most important Independence Days in a long time. There's a huge power grab going on and still, many average Americans out there don't realize how many of our freedoms are at stake," Tabback said.

Tabback urged his listeners not to fall for the feel of "a new revolution" in America. His battle cry: Give me no king.

Terri Cary, an organizer with the Quincy Tea Party, was pleased to see a strong showing of support for the rally. Even with morning rains, the crowd was building long before the event was scheduled to start.

"We're already planning our next event for this year," Cary said.

Dr. Steve Krause, spoke to the rally about the pride Americans should have in their nation.

"America has been picked on for the last five or 10 years by people saying that things need to change ... and our reputation internationally has been tarnished," Krause said.

He told of serving in Kosovo in the U.S. Army when a 14-year-old girl was brought in with advanced heart disease. She was so short of breath she couldn't speak.

"So we worked to get her a visa so she could have heart surgery in the United States. That's an example of the generosity and the amount of giving that America does for people abroad," Krause said.

"No matter what the criticisms around the world, the United States is the most generous and giving country."

Several in the crowd used the event to express concerns about the direction of the nation.

Chris Brocksmith, a retired Navy veteran, was dressed in black he said because he sees the U.S. Constitution being trampled each day. Brocksmith held a pole waving the American Flag. He had an upside down flag in his vehicle symbolizing the distress the nation is in, but said he would not show it during the rally.

"I feel the Constitution is a document that tells the federal government what it's allowed to do, not a document that tells them to tell us what to do," Brocksmith said.

Larry Ehmen said the government's takeover of the financial industry, the automobile and perhaps the medical industry should scare and anger Americans.

Adams County Constitution Party Chairman David Race said attacks on the Constitution are not all new. He believes the Patriot Act of the Bush administration and the uncontrolled spending of the Obama administration both show national politicians who are not responsive to the people.

Many in the audience held signs that shared similar views. One sign read: "Government is not the solution to our problems. Government is the problem." Other signs called for the fair tax, others for lower taxation. One urged legislators to read the laws they are passing.

Steve McQueen, another Tea Party organizer, said the rally is only the latest of many examples showing how local residents support an informed and engaged citizenry.

"This is still the best country on the planet," McQueen said.

The Quincy Tea Party held its first event, a tax day rally, April 4 at Clat Adams Park. McQueen said the group is interested in government involvement and wise use of tax dollars. The name of the group is based on the Boston Tea Party of 1773, when colonists threw tea overboard from ships in Boston Harbor in protest of British taxes.

-- dwilson@whig.com/221-3372