Disclaimer: I am neither a representative of, nor spokesperson for, the Old Glory Club or any of its chapters. For a more formal discussion of the conference from the executive leadership, I encourage you to check out the OGC 2025 Conference After Action Report.
I had wanted to write this retrospective sooner, but the trip to and from an undisclosed location in Tennessee to attend The Road Ahead, the Old Glory Club’s 2025 conclave, required several days to both recover from and mentally digest. My thoughts have not swayed in any way from my initial impression, which was that I was fortunate to be in such august company with men who I am fortunate to now call friends.
The formal conference kicked off Friday evening with a bang, with the below video from Paul Suda:
… followed by an outstanding opening talk by Dave "the Distributist" Greene, an overview of the smoking ruins of the ideological zeitgeist which we look down upon from our metaphorical mountain fortresses.
I was not able to commit as much time to fellowship that first evening as I was the second, as my cross-country red eye itinerary wiped me out. While I have a professional familiarity with this style of travel, I’ve never acclimated to it, if such a thing is possible. The break gave me time to steam my suits for the following days, which were packed with talks and time for fellowship, as well as to refine my own speech, which I delivered Saturday morning. The theme?
I was honored to present my own humble thoughts to such a fine group of people, and very much appreciate both the invitation to speak as well as the audience’s reaction and the lively Q&A. What’s more, key elements of my talk escaped containment by Tuesday of the following week.
The thematic flow of the talks were perfectly coordinated, and made for great conversation and debate among the 160-odd attendees, who came from all over the nation to discuss this growing thing. I won’t tell tales out of school, but when you think OGC, think /our/ community organizers, not a social club posing as a political party or really anything expressly political at all. Indeed, that is what was so refreshing about the event; no delusions of grandeur, and a maturity and sober-minded approach to reality, fed by fellowship and good cheer. The fellowship, of course, is what really tied everything together - I shook hands with and shared both conversation and beverages with so very many long-time correspondents. It was an absolute pleasure to meet all of these excellent men, and I am confident that you, the reader will hear a great deal more about what the OGC will be up to as the years go by - if you have the ears to hear.
KD
It was an honor and a privilege and a sublime pleasure to meet you Sir --
THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP is a banger meme (that I suspect will catch on) and a testament to your talent for coy euphemisms.
Onward!
Honestly absolutely stunned and confounded that despite the itinerary being shuffled, every single talk lined up so perfectly.
A pleasure meeting you, and I'm very excited for what the future holds.