Lens on Liberty: Road Trip to Tennessee for the 917 Society
- Rich Washburn
- Apr 9
- 3 min read
There are road trips, and then there are missions. This one started in Florida and ended in Tennessee, but it wasn’t just about the miles—it was about a message. I packed my gear, hit the road, and headed north to photograph one of the most powerful events I’ve witnessed in years: the 917 Society’s 4th Annual Fundraiser...Spoiler alert: FREAKIN’ AWESOME!
Set against the backdrop of the Glory Train Station—a place so rich with Americana it feels like stepping into an ‘80s version of a Norman Rockwell scene after several shots of espresso—over 600 Americans from all walks of life came together not just to celebrate the Constitution, but to defend it.
I’ve captured plenty of events, but this one? This one had gravity. And it was just flat-out well done.
When Tucker Took the Mic
The night’s headline speaker was some dude named Tucker Carlson, lol—who delivered what can only be described as part sermon, part stand-up, and part constitutional masterclass. From the moment he stepped up—wide-eyed at the venue like a golden retriever spotting a squirrel—he was on. Equal parts humor and heartbreak, his speech painted a vivid portrait of America’s crossroads.
He opened by roasting California—his home state turned cautionary tale—and drew a direct line from moral decay to societal breakdown. But this wasn’t political red meat; it was a sobering take on what happens when beauty, order, and truth are traded for chaos and control.
“Good things bear good fruit. And bad things bear ugly fruit.”
Carlson’s point? You can measure the soul of a society by what it builds—or what it allows to rot. From collapsing infrastructure to families torn apart, we’re not just looking at policy failures; we’re witnessing spiritual ones.
Freedom, Faith, and the First Amendment
Carlson didn’t just offer critique—he issued a call to action. He unpacked the Constitution like a sacred text, reminding the audience that freedom isn’t about convenience or consensus—it’s about divinely endowed dignity.
“Freedom is rooted in the concept that each person is created by God. That’s why the government doesn’t own you.”
His defense of the First Amendment wasn’t just about speech—it was about the right to exist as a thinking, believing, speaking human being. And when he pivoted to the push for digital currency and centralized financial control, the room got noticeably quiet. This wasn’t abstract anymore—it was real, and it was now.
The Heartbeat of the Evening
For all the fire Tucker brought, the soul of the night belonged to the kids on stage. From reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to belting out the Preamble, their voices were a living reminder of what’s really at stake.
And then there was Joni Bryan—founder of the 917 Society and a force of nature in her own right—who reminded us all why we were there: to get pocket Constitutions into the hands of students across America.
“We want every young person to hold the very document that secures their freedom,” she said.
Oh—and let’s not forget the surprise cameo by Abraham Lincoln (aka Rodgar McCalmon Sr.), who walked the room like a time traveler. His resemblance? Wildly on point. His message? Timeless.
Common Sense Isn’t Dead
One theme echoed through the night like a bass line: common sense is still alive—and it’s the majority.
Tucker said it best:
“This wasn’t a left or right win. It was a common-sense victory.”
In a world where everything feels like it’s designed to divide us, this event proved something powerful: Americans still rally around shared values—faith, family, safety, opportunity, and freedom.
Final Frame
As the night wound down and I packed up my camera, I had that rare moment of clarity you get when art, purpose, and passion all collide. It wasn’t just about taking photos—it was about capturing evidence of something real: conviction, community, and the unshakable belief that the Constitution still matters.
And while I’ll let the images do most of the talking (see below), let me just say this: if the energy in that train station is any indication, the future of this country isn’t slipping away—it’s being reclaimed, one Constitution at a time.
Big thanks to the McCalmons, the 917 Society, and of course… The Tucker—who, by the way, is one of the coolest VIPs I’ve met so far. Cool cat. Lotta energy. Still wondering what coffee he drinks. 🤔
Want to be part of the mission? Visit 917society.org and help fuel the fight for constitutional literacy.
More Photos available at Th 917 Society's website:
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