Most Convention of States supporters know Massachusetts produced one of the most notable father and son duos that ever fought for liberty: John and John Quincy Adams, respectively.
Luckily for us, COS has its own father-son pair of Massachusetts natives, and they're working hard to reestablish sovereignty and the Constitution through Article V.
This duo is the Colburns.
Bob Colburn is a lifelong resident of Massachusetts and serves as a District Captain for COS Massachusetts. His son Mike was born in Dorchester and raised in Plymouth. He is a State Content Writer and District Captain in Maryland.
Participation in public affairs is a Colburn tradition. As Bob tells it, his politics were heavily influenced by his parents. He recalls his father saying that "you owe the town you live in community service."
Bob's dad practiced what he preached. He served as a selectman, Rotary Club president, and Republican Town Committee president. Bob's mother also served on many local organizational boards.
Bob has long worked for various local candidates and joined the Tea Party during the administration of Barack Obama, but he is most enthusiastic about COS, which he sees as "a peaceful revolution" that can change the direction of the country.
This dedication to service in community and civic affairs (and a great deal of encouragement to read about U.S. history) was passed along to Mike, who has not only served in the Massachusetts Air National Guard, but received his U.S. Air Force Wings in 1994. He flew cargo and VIP transport aircraft for 17 of his 20 years of active duty.
Mike also did a three-year NATO staff tour in Germany. His final assignment involved flying high-ranking officials at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. He retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Unsurprisingly, Mike also learned about COS from Bob a little under two years ago. He "chose to get involved through a combination of [Bob's] inspiration and because of the rapidly spreading tyranny that is occurring everywhere."
Despite these extraordinary contributions to the life of his son and his community, getting Bob to talk about himself is about as easy as getting a politician to talk about anyone other than himself, but Bob's actions speak volumes for him.
He distinguishes himself as a District Captain, utilizing his organizational and communication skills--honed as first a reporter and then a sales manager--to spread the word about Article V.
Mike described it best in a March 21, 2021, COS blog post, which detailed a District Captain meeting in his hometown of Plymouth at the historic Jenney Museum:
"Bob Colburn, like many other patriots around our country, is inspiring many to fight against tyranny. He is inspiring many to stand up for the principles of individual freedom and equality of opportunity. These are principles that inspire people from around the world to risk life and limb to become a part of this great nation."
Mike brings a similar approach to his position as a District Captain and State Content Writer in Maryland. His March 15, 2021, testimony in support of COS in front of a committee at the Maryland House of Delegates was eloquent and effective.
True to the Colburn tradition, he gave credit to everyone but himself while reinforcing the importance of every volunteer and supporter, no matter what role they played:
"[The] hearing...was the culmination of weeks of effort by our Convention of States team. It was not only those who provided the testimony, but those who coordinated and orchestrated behind the scenes to make the entire effort a success...
"The group of 17 provided compelling testimony and they came from diverse backgrounds offering different perspectives on why we need an Article V Convention of States. In all, it was extremely satisfying and uplifting..."
The Colburns exemplify the traits of servant leadership that distinguish so many COS volunteers. They do so much for the cause so well, yet remain humble, loyal, and quick to credit others.
They do what they believe is necessary to advance the founding principles of this republic, and they do so without fanfare or desire for recognition. No sunshine patriots are they. While taciturn and reserved, their affection for each other is palpable, and they hold fast to their family's commitment to serving community and country.
Abraham Lincoln once said, "Love is the chain whereby to bind a child to his parents."
Love of country binds the Colburns to one another, as well as the cause of liberty that they proudly and strongly champion, evidenced by their exceptional efforts for COS in two of the original thirteen states.
Massachusetts may not be sending fathers and sons with the caliber of John and John Quincy Adams to Congress any longer, but their revolutionary spirit and liberty-minded enthusiasm lives on in COS volunteers like the Colburns.
