Amy Webb Hogan Talks About Her Dad

Not surprisingly, I've been closely following my Dad's race for US Senate since it started.  Over the years I have heard about different people encouraging him to run for office.  It is a big and far reaching decision to make, which this time seemed to gain forward momentum after he was made aware of the support from the very people who may read this.  The bloggers and the "netroots" who care enough and are concerned enough about the state of our country and government to speak out and stand up for change.  Having support from such motivated and dedicated people has power.

It's been said that my Dad should share more about his family life in order to round out the perception of him that many view as the "real" Jim.  Usually the cartoons shorten his stature, give him a fierce "Born Fighting" stare, and beef him up while he's wearing some type of camouflage.  It's been interesting to watch how the process of politics can alter the characterization of someone into a 5 second sound byte, much like a person's idea or stand on an issue almost need to be reduced to sound bytes to effectively reach people.
Knowing my Dad as I do, the problem with that on a personal level is you get a 1-D perception rather than a more correct 3-D actual view.   From what I can see from his portrayal in the press, they get part of him.  The warrior, twice wounded infantry officer who became one of the highest decorated Marines out of the Vietnam War, and later served as Sec. of the Navy.  That is not incorrect, but he is so much more.  He's a very creative person and when I read his novels am always struck by the poetic nature of them.  He's a deep thinker, a scholar.  He's also a great Dad.

If I think back to my childhood, the memories of my Dad that I carry with me are the road trips we went on together, the running commentary on what foods and smells we liked or didn't, playing pool and pinball, that he taught me how to fish, took me camping, showed me how to make arrows with sticks as we hiked through the woods, which is a sure fire system for always finding your way back.   He instilled in me a deep love of music, all kinds really, and many of my memories are connected to certain songs.  He also instilled a love of reading books, and encouraged me to read at least two front-page articles a day once I reached the 8th or 9th grade so I could be connected to what was going on in the world.  He used to (doubt he still has time, and this was pre-internet days) read 3 newspapers a day.  

My first memories of him professionally are as a writer, typing away on what would later become Fields of Fire, and when I would see his still young scars, I wondered how a bad guy could ever want to hurt my Dad.  When he was writing, he would be home when I got home from morning kindergarten and would look for me through the mailbox slot in the door.  It was funny and then we would have lunch.  We would make each other's sandwiches (mine were extremely heavy on the mustard, but he ate them anyway), and if it was warm we'd go out back in the yard and I'd sit in the edge of shade under the tree, and he'd sit in the sun.  We'd listen to music on a portable radio, enjoy the weather and have lunch.  

He is also a story teller, full of anecdotes and memories from his childhood where, being an Air Force brat, he moved all over the country, in addition to living in England for a time.  He also told stories of his grandparents and our ancestors.  

He taught me about my heritage, which created an unshakable pride.  I certainly have characteristics of a Scots-Irish woman.  Something interesting he taught me when I was young, was you learn a lot about a person by how they treat the least important person in the room.  It has become my own "sociological study" and is an interesting thing to observe.  Years after he taught me this he was Sec. of the Navy and Jimmy Sarah and Julia were small.  I learned that some people treat nannies differently than they do a daughter of the Sec. of the Navy.  We would go to functions with high ranking officials and their spouses, and I would at times be assumed to be the nanny prior to being introduced to them, and would always smile at the difference with which they treated me after finding out.  Not all people though, just some.

As far as how I view the "non-Dad" side of my Dad -- he has spent his entire adult life working extremely hard and for the betterment of this country, which he loves dearly.

The older I've gotten, the more interesting it has been for me to reflect on my Dad's life and accomplishments.   What comes to mind is, "He has served."  The sum of what he has done has been for others, including his current journey.  He has honorably and steadfastly served this country.  No one forced him to choose the Marine Corps over the Navy, no one forced him to choose the infantry, he chose what he thought was the path where he could serve and be most needed and useful.  He continues to serve the Marine Corps and its integrity, and when he saw the disaster that invading Iraq would lead to, he served each and every one of us and our best interests by stepping forward and speaking out as loudly as he could, to protect those who would be sent to fight and to protect us and our country.   He personally warned Sen. Allen and many others prior the occupation.  He told anyone who would listen - and we are exactly where he said we would be; though tragically, too many fallen Marines, soldiers and Iraqis later.  We need to give his voice more power and he will again be serving where he is most needed and will be most useful.  And I know as many of you also know, that he will honorably and steadfastly serve this country again.

When people find out who my Dad is, some questions consistently come up, so maybe some of you have the same ones:

People usually ask me if I am a Democrat, and I respond that I consider myself born "slightly left of center."  The next question is if my Dad and I argued over politics.  Not at all!  He started out as a Democrat and has always spoken up and stepped up for what he though was right and has continued to do so over the years.  I think people are often caught up in the liberal/conservative label, and each candidate for each office brings their own combination of both.  It is no surprise to me that he identifies with being a Democrat, and it's not something that happened overnight - just prior to announcing his run for US Senate.   Both parties have changed over time, and if more people could let go of the labels and look at the candidate, I think a whole lot more people would vote for Democrats.

How does your Dad feel with your brother currently serving in a war he has spoken out against?  

I understand that this country was deeply divided during the Vietnam years and in the aftermath, and respect my Dad's unwavering loyalty to those who served.  Those who served in Vietnam were often looked down upon.  Beaten and battered units with many losses arrived back on US soil in the dead of night to no banners, no welcome home signs, and certainly no parades.  I have never met a Vietnam Veteran who has had a parade in their honor.  

The good that we can be proud of now, is the deep respect and support we give our troops fighting in an equally unpopular war.  This is huge, this helps them, and it is what they deserve.  Nearly every Marine or soldier will tell you a different reason for why they joined.  And as varied as the reasons, so vary the political positions they hold.  George W. Bush and George F. Allen do not own our troops opinions and do not deserve to evoke the continuance of this occupation in their name.  It is a pitiful political ploy.

How is your Dad holding up?  

He is doing well and amazes me.  I couldn't have more pride in him.  The schedule of someone running for office in such a tight race is frankly shocking.  He seems to keep his motivation from people such as yourself who take the time to participate in democracy, and who lend such amazing support.

Please tell your Dad to smile more:  

If you get a chance to meet him you'll see he is quick to smile or laugh, and has a great sense of humor.  Personally, I am impressed when I watch him give a speech or an interview, and am tired of seeing politicians smile and smile while talking about Iraq, our deficit, the state of our healthcare or other dire issues.  I want a Senator who is sincere about fixing the deadly serious issues at hand.  Someone needs to grab the reins before this country is completely off track.  I know my Dad has the intellect, foresight, and honesty to do that.  And like he has said - he cannot be bought, and will refuse to be bossed.

My last points are these:  

He has character, and I can attest to its depth.  He is a deeply loyal man.  He is a warrior/scholar, to the core.  And he is great with kids!

No lie that George Allen can try to fabricate in these last weeks will ever make a dent in any of these characteristics.  My Dad has refused to go personal in attacking him, and will keep his promise to stick to the issues to the end.  

You can count on him.  This I know.

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