Hundreds of boats participate n Lake Martin event to show their support for Donald Trump

On August 31 hundreds of boats, many of them loaded with families and friends, took a lengthy tour of Lake Martin to show their support for the election of former President Donald J. Trump (R).

The organizer of the event was former State Representative Perry O. Hooper Jr. Hooper is a member of the Alabama Republican Party Executive Committee.

Hooper was the Chairman of the Trump Victory Fund in 2016, and he remains a committed Trump supporter.

"I want to thank Chief Brooks, his Marine Patrol team and the 350 plus boats and the 1000 participants for making the Parade, safe, fun and exciting,'" said Hooper. "I also want to thank DOT and the Marine Patrol for allowing us to proudly hang the American flag on the Kowaliga bridge. One more big thank you goes out to the Ridge Marina and The Landing at Parker Creek."

Planning and carrying out an event of this size requires a team effort.

"I also want to thank Jeana Boggs, Sue Ann McMahan, John Wellborn, Corky Hawthorne, Herb Winches, and my wife, Judy for helping put this successful event together," Hooper said.

"The marine police chief said that there were over 350 plus boats and it sure looked like it to me," Jim Hoskins said.

The Alabama Gazette asked Hoskins why he participated in the Trump board parade.

"It was a wonderful feeling to show your pride in Donald Trump and your pride in America," said Hoskins.

The Alabama Gazette asked SueAnn McMahan why she participated in the Trump boat parade.

"I love my country," said McMahan. "I love the policies that he had in his last administration, and I want those policies and values to continue for my children and grandchildren."

The Alabama Gazette asked Hoskins if he believed that Trump will prevail on November fifth.

"I do, I think he has got a better connection with the American people," Hoskins answered.

,Jeana Boggs said that the number was nearly 400.

"My son did the drone work for the event, and there were around 400 boats there," Boggs said. "It was more than you could count."

"It was inspiring to see the flag flying from the Kowaliga Bridge," Boggs said. "We stood up and saluted."

"I believe that he (Trump) has told the American people the truth," said Corky Hawthorne. "That's the kind of President we need. He appointed three Supreme Court Justices that overturned Roe v. Wade."

The Gazette asked Hawthorne if the boat parade was a success.

"Absolutely," answered Hawthorne. "I think there were 400 boats there. It ended at Herb Winches' the landing and he did a great interview. There was an American flag hanging from the bridge. I had never seen that before."

"Perry, he asked us to put the flag up on Kowaliga Bridge," John Wellborn told the Alabama Gazette. "It was an honor. We had the flag up for about two hours."

The Gazette asked Wellborn why he is supporting Donald Trump.

"The security of the nation," replied Wellborn. "I am a father and a grandfather now. We have four children and two grandchildren. Making sure that they are safe is a priority for me."

Wellborn added that he was "concerned about the influx of illegals. There is too many people coming into the country."

"The world is in far worse shape than it was four years ago," Wellborn said.

"As a Christian I vote for my values not necessarily for the person," said McMahan.

Wellborn is also concerned about inflation.

"The price of basic needs has more than doubled," said Wellborn. "My wife showed me the prices of just basic needs items and I couldn't believe it. Six-dollar eggs? Four years ago they were two dollars. Our country shouldn't be going through this."

Boggs, who is a court reporter, said that she supported Trump all the way back to 2014. Her concern is security.

"We had one case where the cartels where smuggling in drugs in trucks full of broccoli that were going to Wal-Mart," said Boggs. "They are kidnapping their own people and making them work here."

"I am not a party guy," Wellborn said. "I don't vote for the party. I vote for the person. I support Donald Trump and I support J.D. (Vance) as well. Vance is a fine Christian man."

The Gazette asked Wellborn why he participated in the boat parade.

"It was the feeling of unity, of being of one accord," Wellborn said. "There were hundreds of boats participating."

"We have got to get good leadership back in Washington," Wellborn said. "Our company and our employees have suffered over the last four years."

"I was totally blown away how great this event turned out," said Hooper. "I am confident President Trump loved it."

"It was great for the community to go out and show their pride," added Hoskins.

The Alabama Gazette asked McMahan if she thought the event was successful in motivating people to support Trump

"Yes this is Lake Martin – this is a retirement and recreational community," said McMahan. "I hope it encourages people to get out and vote."

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