Thanks To An American Hero

 Hey Friends,

This is Odie writing to you for this Friday edition of Mile Markers. I hope you are having a great week. This week I have been sticking close to my beach cottage here at home. There is not much to report on the picture front for today.

I have something rolling around in my head that I wanted to express to you. Hopefully, I can pull my thoughts together to compose a coherent post. My thoughts tend to sound much better in my head than they appear on the screen.

A Memory Odie's Memory Vault

I first became familiar with Bob Dole's name during the 1996 Presidental election. Bob Dole and Jack Kemp were the nominees for the Republican ticket. I had just turned 11 right before the election. Oh, I wanted so badly to be 18 and for my vote for President to count for Bob Dole.

My favorite school field trip of all time occurred during the campaign season for the 1996 Presidental election. Bob Dole, Jack Kemp and Colon Powell were at a campaign rally in Cincinnati one morning. Dad surprised me with tickets to attend the rally.

Today I can not tell you about any of the speeches I heard from local or national politicians that day. I do remember being mesmerized by their devotion to our nation. I was determined to do my part to support my country.  

After the rally, my room was decorated with Dole-Kemp signs and American flags. I proudly wore my Dole-Kemp button on my coat, showing my support of my choice for President.

Also, on the same day, we attended a Bill Clinton Presidental rally in Dayton. It was a once in a lifetime event for me, attending rallies for both political parties. It was cool to say that I got to see President Clinton in person. 

Thank you to my parents for making the logistics of the day work! It is a special day that I will never forget! I wish we had pictures to show you from that day. The images will live on in my head forever.

Thanks To An American Hero

Senator Bob Dole completed his life on earth a few days ago. Today our country will honor this American hero with a memorial service. The family, friends and colleagues of Bob Dole are grieving the loss of a great man in their lives! I am sorry they are experiencing this loss! I just wanted to say thank you and honor an American hero.

Bob Dole was committed to serving our nation. From what I can tell, he did his job to the best of his ability. 

He served in the military, defending our freedoms. Bob Dole lived with injuries that he sustained while serving in our military. He served as a United States Senator for many years. Mr. Dole also ran for Vice President in 1976. Then he ran for President in 1996.

I did not realize how much Mr. Dole worked to make life easier for those with disabilities. For the last several days, I have heard and read several stories honoring the work of Mr. Bob Dole. He truly was an American Hero. 

He was instrumental in passing legislation to make our country accessible. I am grateful that he looked out for the well being of those who have struggles! 

I owe him a debt of gratitude. Thank you, Mr. Dole, for impacting my life and countless others! Mr. Bob Dole's work has definitely made my life easier! 

Not every place in our nation is handicapped accessible. The United States is the most accessible place I have encountered in my travels! I am thankful for those who worked to make my nation a great place for everybody! 

Here is a question that I have been pondering today. Will something I do or stand for impact someone I will never know? I want my life to matter, especially as I work to point others to God. Thanks for reading.

Odie