<div>My Friends,</div>
<div> </div>
<div>I know that many of you don't know me, for I have only be in the SCA for 7 years. I was there this weekend when the terrible news was announced. It saddens my heart to hear that our Great Kingdom has fallen on such dark times. But I would like to offer this thought to all of the wonderful people I met this weekend as well as those friends whom live in the West.
<font size="2"><strong> "<span class="huge"><font face="Verdana"><em>That which does not kill us makes us stronger.</em></font></span> " </strong></font><font size="2"><span class="bodybold"><font face="Verdana">
Friedrich Nietzsche said this and I think it is a great quote to remember. Yes the kingdom has...reorganized, but unless I'm mistaken, this has not been the first time. Before the Western Region, was there not a Western Alliance? Yes the kingdom is changing the map. but your identity and spirit are still there. So I say take this time to regroup and re-assert yourselves. Remember that we are all Ansteorrans, we are family. and I, for one, hope that as Ansteorrans we can get through this
</font></span>together. The Western Region is not dead as long as we don't let it die. and I for one will come out to as many events as I can. I know it's a long distance ( 7hrs to Lubbock from Kyle) and gas is expensive. but with a little creativeness I'm sure we can get others to go to western events. You all as a group amaze me. to give a standing ovation to the Prince and Princess and the Greater officers that came out to deliver the bad news was incredible! I don't thing any other group would have been as courteous. I the society, the greatest precedence I hold is the Sable Crane. and yet when I said I'd come out to a practice in Trelac, The moved their practice to accommodate me. Twice I was asked to come to the aid of the region. and both times I did. I got my Baron to send me and some of our Baronial Guard to the aide of Bonwicke at Gothic war and this last weekend Muirghein asked for help serving our Princess. The hospitality that all of you have shown me even in the midst of this turmoil... I just can't describe. Thank you for all that you have done for me. and so I have another quote for you
<em><strong>"We will not go quietly into the night!" We will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! We're going to survive!"</strong></em> (ID4)</font></div>
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<div><font size="2">Yours in service to the Dream,</font></div>
<div><font size="2"></font> </div>
<div><font size="2">Herr Wilhelm von Arzt</font></div>
<div><font size="2">from the Barony of Bryn Gwlad</font></div>
<div>-- <br>Why would anyone...ever...give a wrench to a Monkey? </div>