Governor Palin Speaks To Sold-Out Crowd of Nearly 2,500 In Center-Left Montgomery at Faulkner Fundraiser (Update: Some Video of the Event)

The Montgomery Advertiser reports:Though known for her folksy patriotic speeches, her disdain for mainstream media and Beltway politics, the nearly 2,500 people who attended a scholarship fundraiser featuring former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin didn?t get to hear much about those things.Instead, Palin shared anecdotes about faith, its role in her life and how it shapes one into a person of value when she spoke at the Renaissance Hotel on Thursday night.She tied those themes into a persistent praise of the values of intellect, character and service that Faulkner University promotes, helping the university raise $1 million ? the most in the fundraiser?s history.?If there were more Faulkner universities around the United States, how much better would our nation be?? she asked.Palin, who told stories about her upbringing in the stark wilderness of Alaska, said she learned the value of intellect, character and services through the filter of faith and hard work. She said far too often secular education denies the existence of a higher power.?Just because something can?t be explained doesn?t make it impossible to be true,? she said. Palin said she became a Christian when she was 11 years old, and it was in that moment that she agreed to allow God to direct her life.?None of us should be surprised we have had doors that opened,? she said. ?My life has been a rollercoaster.?Palin didn?t talk about whether she would run for president. In fact, she didn?t say much of anything about her political future. Instead, she challenged her audience to take their commitment to service to a higher level and became teary-eyed when talking about former University of Alabama football coach Gene Stallings and his son, John Mark Stallings.Faulkner University is naming its new football field after John Mark Stallings, who, like Palin?s son Trig, had Down syndrome. Stallings died in 2008 at the age of 46.Palin said she understood how the Stallings family felt when they learned of their son?s diagnosis, but John Mark Stallings? long life was a testament of hope for her own family.?For a mother of a child with special needs, John Mark?s life is more than inspiring,? she said. ?It gives me hope. I did not know if my heart was ready ... but God didn?t let me down. He didn?t let Coach Stallings down.?Meanwhile, the younger Palin was speaking tonight in Fargo, North Dakota and did an interview with Scott Hennen.The Associated Press has more.Scott Hennen speaks with Bristol Palin from Paul Amundson on Vimeo.Update: WilsonPickett found video of some snippets from her speech.Update #2: PalinTV has a photo gallery.

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