To the editor:

Mercy sakes, we had us a Convoy! Last Friday, the Midwest Freedom Convoy rolled through Minnesota. The intent of the convoy from the West Coast to Washington DC is to shed light on the unlawful and divisive “vaccine mandates” issued by Joe Biden. Yes, the CDC conveniently removed masking recommendations a day before the colorful State of the Union Address. Yes, the Supreme Court overturned portions of Biden’s vaccine requirements. But no such relief for our once “Hero” health care workers, military personnel, and truckers crossing international borders. Meanwhile, illegal immigrants on our border with Mexico continue to pour in (unvaccinated).

My wife and I anxiously waited on an overpass a mile west of Fairmont for the convoy to arrive. Media reports the night before told us the convoys were falling apart. There were only 4 trucks. Depressing stuff. We hoped Google and big media were wrong. CW McCall would have been proud as the trucks appeared on the Western horizon. LOTS of trucks — 10, 20, 50 maybe a hundred and more, all honking horns. It was truly a lump in the throat moment. There were trucks, campers, SUVs, and rigs of every size. No, there wasn’t a chartreuse micro bus filled with 11 long haired friends of Jesus, but there was a camper that said “Jesus Saves’ on the side. There was one tow truck with my son, his wife, and my very excited grandson inside. South Dakota law enforcement provided escort to the Minnesota border. Minnesota State Patrol gave friendly waves while parked in the median of I-90. License plates on vehicles from Washington to Minnesota and every state in between. This group joined many others from all parts of the US, and are currently staged at Hagerstown Speedway in MD. They circled the beltway of Washington DC on Monday.

We joined the Convoy after it passed us on it’s way to a planned break in Albert Lea. There were supporters on every overpass waving US Flags. There were farm tractors, combines, sprayers, and grain carts in the fields. Fire departments with ALL their trucks, including an extended ladder truck with a Perkins flag being held straight with a truck tire tied on the bottom. A lone woman sitting on a field rock pile. Dads holding their small sons, little girls in pink dresses waving flags. Westbound traffic pulled over waving. There might even have been some Democrats showing their support for all I know.

So please “President” Biden, do the right thing. Release the United States people from your “Vaccine Mandate”. End your tyrannical orders and this national COVID nightmare. Allow this country to share some “Unity” which you spoke so much of in last year’s Inaugural Address.

Paul Platz

Lafayette