The Hardware Man - Butler Rally - My Story - Part IV
- Editor
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
This will be published in a 4 part series
each week, below is part 4.
Two years have passed since that fateful day in Butler, PA. The scene has been cleared and a new building erected at the scene (that was in planning before this happened). There have been countless pundits give opinions and theories about the events of the day, highlight the deficiencies and call for changes. President Trump has said he has reviewed the circumstances around the rally and is at peace with it.
I can understand that, as I have also had to come to terms with survivor guilt. I’ve had to compartmentalize the event and emotions in my mind and move on with my life. But it has changed all of us who were there.
It is said that traumatic experiences will bring out your true self. Do you run and hide when there is danger, or do you rise and fight? I guess I am a fighter. There’s not much I could do while under fire. Cover my people then rise and help where I could. Maybe that’s a toxic trait of a small business owner.
Now, I am much more aware when in public spaces. I observe the area, look for exits and scan the people around me. Malls, schools, community events and churches are all soft targets, and I work to control my variables as much as possible.
Now I share my love more. Whether in word or action, I make sure my family and friends know I care for them. I’ve lost several friends suddenly over the years, either with health issues or in accidents. We never know when our time here is done and I want to make sure others know they are loved.
I gave my life to Christ, he who died for our sins that we might have life, and that more abundantly. I am thankful for his mercy to my family that day, and get emotional when I consider how, as Corey sacrificed his life to protect his family, Jesus did the same for us long before that. Greater love hath no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. And Christ called us friend.
On the one-year anniversary of Corey’s death, Helen held a special memorial service for her husband. This was in the new building on the Farm Show grounds overtop of the area where our bleachers were sitting. She invited many who supported her family over the year. Most notable to me was the honoring of Sergeant Aaron Zaliponi, a tactical team lead with the Butler ESU officer who fired his rifle freehand at the shooter from 115 yards away. We will never know if he hit Crooks or his rifle, but it was a remarkable shot in that situation. The official narrative is that Crook’s gun jammed and as he raised his head to clear the gun, the Secret Service sniper was able to get the kill shot. Aaron’s actions saved countless additional lives. We are eternally grateful.
I shared my writings with our new friends from the rally, the Trump Family as we call ourselves. Helen, Allison and Kaylee, Ed and MaryLou, Dr. Jim, Dr. Joe, Amy and Tricia as well as Christie, Janna, Lisa, Carrie and the kids. They all have memories, observations and experiences. From speculation on cell phone jamming to overheard conversations between FBI agents in the tents afterwards, they have their individual tales to tell.
As I stated at the beginning of this series, this wasn’t meant to be political or divisive. Certainly, there are conspiracy theories, some which may be true. This was a reliable recollection of my experience with the Butler Rally and the situations I noticed surrounding it: before, during and after. One disturbing claim was that Corey was a planted fall guy because of this or that, Israeli, Trump, blah blah blah. No, absolutely not. I could have, should have been in his exact position on July 13, 2024, except by the grace of God.
Our world was forever changed that Saturday evening. By a hairs-breath our representative republic could have been shattered by an evil hatred that wanted to see one particular man dead. There are some that broke off business relationships because I happened to be at a political event for someone they hate. They refuse to see the humanity that was affected, refuse to debate differences or ideas and prefer to cast blame on innocent people. Whether you are to the left or right of our political divide, discourse should happen freely, because a solid 80% of us (or more) have very similar outlooks on what we as Americans value. Methods may differ and my opinion may have more issues than yours. But regardless, this nation has continued to thrive and defend the cause of freedom, as a beacon of hope for the world these last 250 years because we have argued civilly, shook hands and moved forward. May we each be a part of the good in this world.
Daniel Karns and his wife own Clintonville Hardware & Rental along with other businesses. Join the discussion by contacting him at info@clintonvillehardware.com.
