Last night, I attended the Urban League Young Professionals Forum and as Teacherken wrote earlier today was a fantastic event.
Jim arrived, spoke, and left after a long day of being on the trail all over Virginia with Mark Warner in yesterday's "crooked road tour".
As Jim left, he came outside to shake hands with the few veterans that were outside talking with Mac, Jim's radio operator in Vietnam and now full time driver.
Jim came out, and saw me and gave me a hug before entering his jeep. We talked a little about Jimmy and I can see how much seeing a young serviceman like me can remind him of his son.
But, itGÇÖs not if he isnGÇÖt reminded daily though as he puts Jimmy's boots on, or as he's surrounded by the many veterans who travel with him daily.
It isn't only merely just a coincidence that the very jeep he drives in everyday is the same jeep Jimmy himself drove before his father started this campaign, before Jimmy left to war.
This campaign is very much about Jimmy, and about anyone who has ever served in a uniform or is serving in a uniform today.
I know it isn't the only issue Jim Webb is in this campaign for, but I believe it is the issue that is closest to his heart.
Perhaps, this is because it's because of his dad, Jim Sr., someone who Jim will always admire. Perhaps it's because of his familyGÇÖs service to every war in our nation's history.
Or even perhaps a factor of his heroic service in Vietnam.
Jim's humility is what inspires me most about him, his attempt to downplay his service before and after Vietnam show's a lot about his character.
This campaign is not about him, he would probably say. It's about everyone; it's about giving people a voice in the "cooridors of power". It's for standing up for what's right. It's for fighting for this country.
It's about patriotism.
People don't follow leaders because they self-congratulate, people follow those that inspire.
Jim has done that.
Jimmy gave his dad boots to wear on the campaign trail, Jimmy gave his dad a jeep to drive though Virginia in, and Jimmy gave his dad the honor of following him in his footsteps.
Just as Jim Webb's hero is his father, Jimmy Webb's hero is also his father.
If you look around Jimmy's room, you will see that. He has newspaper clippings of his dad, he has every book his dad ever wrote, and he even has a picture of walking next to his dad when he was a toddler.
I know why Jim Webb is a hero to Jimmy.
Everyone who knows anything about Jim Webb knows why he his regarded so highly among so many.
Jimmy gave his dad, the very boots he earned through Marine Corps basic training. These much worn boots are the same boots Jim Webb wears everyday. The same boots Jim has sworn to wear until Jimmy returns home.
Jimmy Webb's unit isn't expected back until late spring of next year. So if we win this election here on November 7th...
Jim Webb will be the only United States Senator with boots on the Senate floor.