Most of us are burnt out. And I have no right to compare myself to what you've done. Or to question your decision. You've served our country. You've given years beyond that.
I did, however work 50 and 70 hour weeks in 2003 and 2004. And quite a few (hundred) since. So I have some idea of sacrifice.
But I want to tell you about my local Montgomery County, VA, hero, Henry Tieleman. Henry has spent years also. Actually, he has spent decades. His degree of activism has varied a bit, but these past 3-4 years he has worked non-stop to make change. We've honored him locally with our county Dems highest award.
Henry's retired. He's got a great farmhouse a wonderful (and supportive and patient) wife. And he doesn't have the energy in him that he used to. But for the past four years, or so, Henry worked the length and breadth of the 9th Congressional District (the largest in the state in terms of area). It takes many hours to traverse the length of it. But Henry has traveled to nearly every small town in Southwest Virginia, over and over.
And again these past six months, he (along with Tom Morris) spent large portions of their lives literally on the road, as surely as Jim Webb did. Henry, Fran, Tom and his wife Marcia are amazing. I am proud to know them.
Henry and Tom just returned yesterday from a two-day tour of the 9th. While the candidates helicoptered around the district on their traditional Rick Boucher pre-election day tour. Previously, Henry and Tom drove the winding backroads. They were everywhere. Nearly everywhere Jim Webb appeared in the 9th, there were Henry and Tom bringing brochures, signs, buttons and bumper stickers. They were also at gun shows, rallies, festivals, and just about any event drawing a crowd. Through the summer they toughed out blazing heat and sun outdoors weekend after weekend.
The fact that Kerry signs covered the 9th in November 04 and that Webb signs do now is a tribute to Henry's energy and creativity.
You see, Henry found a need and he he found a way to solve it. Out here, we don't get much in the way of election materials. We never had enough signs to show how many Dems really live here, or let neighbors know we are proud to call ourselves Democrats, populists all. So Henry founded his own PAC, raised money, took care of the legal and FEC issues, and began to get signs, bumper stickers, and buttons.
Even as he keeps saying he's too "old for this," Henry says he's got one more presidential election in him. He can't stop caring.
You have a life to live, school to tend to, some settling in afterward. But caring about your country won't likely sustain you any more than it can Henry, or Tom, or even the lesser contributors such as myself.
I have "dropped out" several times. But I always come back. Some day, when you least expect it, you are likely to say: I want to make a difference for my country AGAIN. And some, day somewhere, you are going to do something great. I am sure of it. Personally, I hope it is here in Virginia.
Thank you so much for all you've done. You and the others here at RaisingKaine are my hope for the future. All the best,
KathyinBlacksburg