For my friends Warren, Brian, Tom and me, there was also the added dimension of getting to know Mark Warner and his family members and campaign staff workers even better by completing various behind-the-scenes tasks for the campaign and interacting with the news media who are traveling with them.
In order to give them rides to their hotels and back to the firehouse early this morning, we met them at Landmark Aviation last (Sunday) night with three passenger vans and helped move people and luggage wherever and whenever necessary.
As a native Roanoker who has lived here most of my life, I was immediately impressed with Mark Warner's detailed knowledge of the Roanoke Valley and its places and people. While Mark easily gave me directions to various possible restaurants for a late-night dinner for him and his family, Mrs. Warner gently reminded him that I live here in Roanoke, but I laughed and explained to her that I really appreciated the additional help since Mark knew the local restaurant locations better than me!
With much obvious interest, knowledge and insight, Mark also discussed local politics with me, he knew many of the individuals involved here in city, county and state government, and he is very much up to date on current issues and concerns. Later, when I told some of his staff members about Mark's familiarity with local government and politics, they assured me that he is similarly in tune with people throughout Virginia's various communities, and I now have no doubt about that.
So, while most others were enjoying the camaraderie and speeches at Mark Warner's U. S. Senate campaign announcement inside Firehouse #1 this morning (and possibly wondering why I wasn't out front with the others), Warren, Brian, Tom and I were in the back, working with his staff members to help move vehicles and luggage and, eventually, people from one place to another, and I think we had just as much fun as any others who were there! We all were particularly proud of getting everyone back out to the airport and seeing their flight to Norfolk take off right on time.
In addition, my wife and I provided room and board from Friday evening through this (Monday) morning for Mark Giangreco, one of the Warner campaign's staff members, and he is a most capable, talented and dedicated young man.
As expected, Mark Warner has surrounded himself with competent, creative, dependable, energetic and resourceful people, and I look forward to working with all of them - especially behind the scenes - over the next five months in order to help make sure that Virginia has two Democratic U. S. Senators by the first of next year.
Thanks!
Steve