Obama Welcomes Travelers To Montgomery County, VA

By: Dianna
Published On: 10/27/2008 11:31:16 PM

With the help of Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale (a seasonal classic) and a gallon of donated forest green paint, finally--a large Obama sign that stretches over 30 feet long now welcomes all north-bound I-81 travelers to Montgomery county.

Leftover Jim Webb and Kerry/Edwards 4'x4' signs donated by The "Honorable" Henry W. Tieleman

Paint job on the sign and photograph provided by Tyler Myers

Assembly by Tom Morris and Tyler Myers. (In the photo, that's Tom attaching the last "A".)

We have spent all our free time during the past several weeks working on the Obama campaign, but nothing compares to the fun we had doing this. Dozens of motorists honked or waved or shouted, "Go Obama!" while we worked. It was really uplifting.



Comments



About Henry and Tom (cycle12 - 10/28/2008 8:39:19 AM)
I hadn't yet heard about/seen this new sign, but it doesn't really surprise me.  For those who don't know retired Virginia Tech Professor Henry Tieleman and his good friend, retired high school teacher/coach and ex-Marine/combat-injured Vietnam veteran Tom Morris, this message will be most beneficial and educational to you...

Henry is a first-generation American of Dutch descent who still sports a strong accent about which I tease him constantly.  He was working in his Virginia Tech office in Norris Hall on that fateful April 16, 2007 day.  Henry has been very active in various Democratic organizations for many years.  I got to know him during Jim Webb's successful U. S. Senate campaign, and there is no greater patriot nor stronger Democrat than Dr. Henry Tieleman.

Tom suffered a severe head injury in Vietnam but fully recovered from it and became a beloved high school teacher and coach, occupations from which he retired just in time to work practically full-time as a volunteer for the Jim Webb campaign where I first met him.  Tom was one of dozens of ex-Marines who joined with Webb in northern Virginia for his victory announcement in the early morning hours of Wednesday, November 8, 2006.

Henry and Tom are fast friends, and they never seem to run out of energy and enthusiasm for our Democratic candidates.  One can find them at small community gatherings or at huge Obama and Warner events, always distributing campaign materials and asking for donations in order to buy more of them.  With their proceeds, they also purchase large quantities of signs for Democratic candidates and erect them throughout the New River Valley.

Now you know Henry and Tom a little better, and now you must be just as proud of them as am I, and now it's on to victory on Election Day - Tuesday, November 4!

Thanks!

Steve

 



It's a lot of fun (thegools - 10/29/2008 5:03:14 PM)
making and putting up Big Signs.

I think they are far better than the production ones, because they show a true enthusiasm and investment.  Hopefully, that is not lost on those who are driving by.

I'll have to go out and take a picture of my sign and try to post it online for you and others to see.  Maybe we can inspire others to follow this example.