The Gadsden Flag

It’s been a long time since I did a tattoo update here and the submissions have been piling up. Check out these hardcore liberty-lovers who put the Don’t Tread on Me rattlesnake on their bodies.

Stephen says he got this incredible tattoo on his honeymoon. Seriously. And it’s first tattoo.

That’s a hardcore liberty-lover.

He writes, “I’ve never had a tattoo, but I knew that I wanted one, and I didn’t want one that everyone else had … so, with the Gadsden imagery, I had an artist draw up a rattler with an M4, and since I’m a first generation American of Greek ancestry, decided to go with the Greek lettering above. The Molon Lave means ‘come and take it.’”

Mitchell, now serving in the US Army, got this colorful cobra after seeing this website.

“I think ‘Dont Tread on Me’ represents what this country was founded on and how all countries should be: if you respect us we will respect you, but if you don’t, it is cause for action.”

Here’s a new one! Check out the foot of Alexandra O. from Baton Rouge …

Alexandra writes, “My sister-in-law is a tattoo artist and has been begging to do some ink on me. I’ve always turned her down because I couldn’t think of anything I would want on me for life. I am a staunch libertarian and a firm believer in everyone’s right to freedom and the pursuit of happiness. I saw a ‘don’t tread on me’ t-shirt and it just hit me. Don’t Tread on Me is something that will always have serious importance in my life, whether it applies to my individual life or my political belief system.”

That rocks.

Rich B. from North Jersey just had this incredible beauty, his first tattoo, done at Immortal Ink by Chris A.

“I am a passionate libertarian who believes in a limited and restrained government. Obviously it’s been a very long time since we have had a government like that.”

“I believe this government is at the size where many of our liberties now lay at risk, and I’ll be dammed if the gov thinks liberty loving people like myself are just going to roll over.”

Isn’t that snake intense?

Richard Garon is the state coordinator for the “Sons of Liberty” in New Hampshire.

“I can think of no greater symbol to show my open disdain for the direction these tyrants in Washington DC are taking us.”

“This beauty was done by Rocking Rick at his we’ll known ‘Tattoo Shack’ in Hooksett, NH. A great friend of liberty’s who encourages others in our ‘Live Free or Die’ state to show their support for the renewed symbol of the Resistance and to forever to show where their allegiance lies as I did.”

Andy from Florida is the proud owner of an interesting variation of a DTOM tattoo.

“You can say I am a patriot and feel that this image helps remind other Americans about the founding fathers’ intentions.”

Andy likes that people ask about it, and that gives him “a chance to tell the gadsden flag history to them.”

Scott, a special education teacher in Oklahoma City, has been wanting his “Don’t Tread on Me” tattoo for a while but was waiting for his favorite tattoo artist (Josh Reynolds) to become available. Scott says he put it on his calf “where I wear it proudly so everyone knows where I stand.”

“I believe the founding fathers had the right idea and gave us a plan on how to live free with liberty in this great nation. God bless the constitution and the United States of America.”

Brandon from La Vergne, Tennessee, had his tattoo done by a friend, Josh at Absolute Ink in Murfreesboro (who promises to add color sometime soon). To Brandon, “it stands for my willingness to fight for my freedom should the need so arise.”

Jason from Ohio is “super stoked” with his new tattoo. “I think it’s important for people to speak up, especially now with our current government spending away our future on handouts and bailouts and entitlements. I believe our country was built on the backs of people who worked hard for what they had and if they didn’t have something they didn’t place blame on our government and expect them to provide it. It seems Obama does not realize the simple fact that without failures, success is meaningless.”

John DeCillo got his tattoo from Bob Gray at Body by Design in Crestwood, Illinois. John is a Vietnam vet who wanted to, “physically show my support for the patriots banding together to stop this runaway train heading for total socialism.”

Daniel from Galesburg, Illinois, is a musician who is “anxious to wear my politics on my sleeve.” (I love that.) He says, “This is my tribute to the Founders, whose work I will study till my last breath, and to all the brave men and women who served, and died, to make this country great.” The tattoo was done by Hawk’s Tattoo in Galesburg.

Thomas Reid from Sanford, Florida, and his wife “were inspired by recent events to get matching ‘Gadsden Tats’.”

Nikki from Michigan writes, “I took some inspiration from your site and from current and past events; to remember the fabric of liberty upon which we are woven. This tattoo represents my dedication to the principles of freedom and liberty that our country was founded upon. I wear it proudly to signify those principles under which I will live as long as I breathe.”

Nikki says she loves this website. And we love Nikki.