For days now, heartlanders young and old have quietly lined the streets, adorned businesses, decorated fence posts, and meticulously posted Old Glory on soldiers’ graves to help commemorate Memorial Day. Patriotism and love of country have been instilled in the locals dating back generations and handed down to kids today. We cherish the sacrifice others have made. But in the back corners of the back forty, and even as the last flag was planted, America said goodbye to Tulsi Gabbard, Stephen Colbert, Kyle Busch, and Schlitz. Some forever, others for a moment in time.
Gabbard Does the Honorable Thing
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is resigning from President Donald Trump’s Cabinet effective June 30. Gabbard announced that she was leaving to be with her husband, Abraham Williams, who was diagnosed with a serious and rare form of cancer. Gabbard’s resignation has progressive trolls trying to connect dots, but her time was seemingly drawing to an end in Trump’s administration.
As a maverick, Gabbard caught Trump’s eye for being intelligent on the issues that matter and the calm yet dead-on demeanor she possessed. As Trump is inclined, he rewarded his ally with a big job. But as a Cabinet member who disagreed with him publicly on the military actions against Iran, Trump was chafed.
But America loves Tulsi. In Ohio, Curtis Devan stated: “So sad to see this, Tulsi had the expertise and ability to handle this job. I understand the health of her husband comes first. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tulsi, her husband, and family.”
Every now and again, a troll would pop in to disrupt the chat, but in Longview, TX, Wayne Miller spoke for most of the folks sad to see Tulsi leave: “Prayers for Tulsi Gabbard and her husband during this health crisis. No one can replace her for the love and dedication she has for our country. We will only take the second best that has the true dedication she gave for the Trump administration and the American people. THANK YOU TULSI GABBARD.”
In Hazel Green, AL, Tina Shackelford Blevins gave a sad wave as well: “So sad she has done a fantastic job. Gonna miss her.”
A Memorial for One
It’s finally over. Stephen Colbert, whose year-long death rattle to remain relevant, has gone silent. When asking flyover folks if they would miss The Late Show, most said they didn’t stay up that late (farmers and ranchers), and some still tried to channel the late, great Johnny Carson. And it has dawned on this writer that the use of body parts to explain disapproval is fun.
From West Virginia, Mike Kees quietly said: “Like a hernia.” Bill Lloyd, in Ohio, followed with: “About as much as I would miss a hemorrhoid.”
Don’t worry, there are more body part comparisons to come. As Larry Mason in Tennessee offered: “Yes, like a toothache.”
Not to be intimidated or outdone – and running out of parts with a more negative connotation – Mike Westemeier said: “That’s like asking do we miss the diarrhea?”
Okay, so Mr. Colbert is going to be missed like a migraine. But have no fear; the man will show up on every other progressive talk show still on the air that few people watch – just not flyover folks. That gaseous emittance has to go somewhere – just not here.
Hold My Beer
A lot of Memorial Day experiences also include an ice-cold beer. Working hard under the blazing sun and earning the nickname “redneck” where the rural folks hail is not derogatory. And perhaps after a picnic, three-legged race, or softball game defeat (or win), a beer fits right in. But now America has to say goodbye to a longstanding friend. For some, it’s the friend that got them started in the first place. The Milwaukee-based iconic brand, and once the largest brewer in America, is being tucked into bed after 177 years. Goodnight, Schlitz.
Its slogan, "When you're out of Schlitz, you're out of beer," has never been more real than now.
In Watauga Lake, TN, Chris Wilder did the math: “In 1900 Cincinnati had over 100 breweries. Now it's a handful of microbreweries.” And in Muskego, WI, Natalie Stelmaszewski felt the tinge of loss, saying: “Sad, history gone again.”
Kyle Bush 1985 – 2026
NASCAR driver Kyle Bush suddenly passed away at the age of 41, leaving behind his lovely wife and two children. From the Back Forty folks already feel the loss. RIP, Rowdy. You will be missed.
Honor the fallen this Memorial Day in any way you can.
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Editor's Note: From the Back Forty is Liberty Nation's longest running and most popular weekly column.
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