We continue to bring our the "view from the field" accounts from our road warriors, Mike Mitchell and Rachel Bennett Steury.  This is what went on on Tuesday, Day 2 of the Tour. Mike Mitchell says: "Bus #1 had three Keep It Made In America stops today.  Starting in Cape Girardeau, Missouri where we received a warm welcome from the Teamsters.  We also got them to sign our petition.  We than went to Humboldt, Tennessee the Dana Local where the crowd was not as large, but a good mix of local Unions.  We also had ABC News Nick Austin cover the Rally.  The next Keep It Made In America stop was Memphis, Tennessee, again smaller group, but a good mix of different Local Union present." Rachel's view from Bus#3: "How cool was today!  Here is my  update for Tuesday May 12.  I don’t have to tell you that Bus #3 knocked the socks off Indiana today.  The #3 crew once again played through the pain of an early rise and a packed day to drive the domestic manufacturing message home.  Leaving the hotel at first light we made our trek to Kokomo, where USW Local 3261 hosted our group in their beautiful union hall.  A church converted into a union hall: now that’s symbolism.  USW Locals 3261 and 4863 had donuts and coffee and solidarity ready for the taking.  There were several concerns expressed at the meeting: the price of gas, national defense, family wages.   AAM Executive Director Scott Paul and District 7 Director Jim Robinson reinforced the need to take the message back to family, friends and neighbors because the only way to make significant change is to do it from the grassroots.  What a perfect place to preach the word of the working class.  Amen to that Jim!  AAM Field Coordinator Chris Lovitt is no stranger to manufacturing himself, being a manufacturing worker in Northern Indiana for decades. Great work Chris! Moving onto the afternoon stop was a visit to the UAW local 685 union hall.  In a matter of 3 hours notice: from the time the local paper arrived on their doorsteps, 50 UAW workers showed up in full force to be a part of the Made In America Tour.  Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight, a former Steelworker, explained the importance of the Chrysler plant to the city’s tax base, because when you don’t pay taxes you don’t’ pay teachers, firefighters, and public employees.  USW Local 2958 President Chris McCurtain gave a stunning report on his facility and the many families who lost their jobs in the process. The more folks talked the more they got mad and the more they wanted to STAND UP AND DO SOMETHING!  Boy were we in the right place!  Building a movement starts with building awareness…I think working folks understand that no one is going to solve the crises in manufacturing. Not without a push from the ranks!   Another Chris Lovitt Original! Our last Hoosier stop is especially close to my heart.  My own stomping grounds in Northeast Indiana. That’s right: Fort Wayne Indiana folks.  I live just North of the big city and can’t help but be drawn to the great folks keeping the wheels turning in the city and surrounding towns.  Working people, scholars, community activists, elected officials and activists set off to get down to the nitty gritty of what is really going on in the automotive supply chain and what can be done to bring jobs back to the area.  Central Labor Council President Tom Lewandowski brilliantly facilitated the event as dozens of local folks weighed in on how the bigger picture affects their local economy.  Indiana University professors Mark Crouch and Dave Dilts, along with Jim Robinson, Scott Paul and UAW Cap Chair Dick Merin provided additional insight into the economic reality Northeast Indiana faces and reinforced the need to keep the Made in America Tour in the back of everyone’s minds when we use our purchasing power.  It was noted that one of the media camera men drove into the “Made in America” event in an imported car.  He left shortly thereafter.  Special thanks to Denny, Darlene, Sharon, Dave and Kristine for working so hard to spread the word and/or provide set up in Fort Wayne.  Great people are everywhere in Northeast Indiana. So, here we are folks; the end of Day 2 .  Another high five to Benny, Driver for Bus#3 for getting us to every event early and with a smile.   The Hoosier heartland has seen the last of Bus #3…at least for now.  Look out Buckeyes here we come.  Cooper Standard Automotive workers in Bowling Green Ohio are ready to rally!  Steelworkers from Cooper Standard rock!  I know; I used to be one!   Great work Bus 3!  No place I’d rather be! "