I have been trying to plan a trip to DC for a very long time regarding the quest of making Veterans equal regarding Pre 911 and Post 911 benefits. The Presidential Medal of Freedom for Dr. Ferguson Reid idea I believe so strongly about gave me the perfect opportunity to make the journey.
I orginally had planned and desperately wanted to go to the Roanoke meetup, however
the scheduling of some meetings that were made, the trip distance between my journey from one side of Virginia to the other plus my problem with altitude sickness kept conflicting with the business in DC. I had to figure out which thing to do and not miss my mission PLUS meet Dr. Ferguson Reid, Fergie Jr. and keep my appointments.. This was really hard. Sorry Randalt and Gordon.. I really tried to figure it out.
Follow me below the yellow cloud.
I want to first say that each one of us can make a difference in this country. It is not about just hoping change comes about. We the people have to want a more perfect union bad enough to get up and go out into the world of America to make it happen. It happens with the first step of local and state elections. We need to quit complaining of how things are and see things through the eyes and voice of the late Robert Kennedy. The video posted is three minutes long and well worth the watch because it sums up the
feelings my family and I experienced as we walked the halls of Congress and the capitol to know just how important we each have a role in making change where we can. All of us and it starts with Getting out the vote. So please, before you read any further , watch the small clip entitled.
Why not.
Much has been written here at Daily Kos about Dr. Ferguson Reid, Sr. He is a veteran of the Korean War who worked with a MASH unit. Dr. Reid later became a surgeon at Bethesda. Dr. Reid was one of the first black surgeons to perform his job as surgeon in a time of struggle for equal rights. He was the first black man to win a seat in the state assembly for the people in the Commonwealth of Virginia during the Jim Crow era. Dr. Reid paved the way for the first black Virginia governor. I believe he deserves the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award. I have diared that sentiment. Dr. Reid had the courage to dream and work during some of this country's darkest days of racism and make the dream into a reality. At age 90, he is still consulting, encouraging and helping delegates organize and get out the vote. Young Fergie, his son mentioned to a group of activists rather than cake and ice cream, he would prefer folks registering voters, thus bringing about the organization http://90for90.org
I would hope all of our DK groups endorse this effort.
When my family pulled into a quick meetup with Dr. Reid and Fergie Jr. in Richmond, we could not have been more excited and honored to meet and talk with such greatness and encouragment from an icon of the civil rights era. Dr. Reid was charming and spunky and sharpe as a tack. This should be a lesson to all that age has nothing to do with making a difference and staying mindful of our ability to vote and make change.
I was more determined than ever to do whatever it takes to make this man's accomplishments more recognized, even though that is not what his ambition is about.
He is for getting out the vote, running good candidates to fill every state and local seat including the ones on Capitol Hill. This is courage in action.
Dr. Reid and Fergie, his son hugged us all and they headed to Roanoke as we headed to DC.
After settling into a small motel, my husband was in quite a bit of pain and rested but my daughter and I headed out to see some memorials and monuments. It was Sunday and we had a nice rest after checking in. We wore ourselves out as we walked through the Smithsonian of Science and then walked to the National Mall. She touched the names on the Vietnam Wall as we took many pictures of the WWII memorial. Through my eyes it was huge, I can only imagine how it looked to a 10 year old.
Monday morning we had a meeting with Matt McGuire from CSpan. He is now an executive and had told me in 2004, after I won the CSpan essay contest and the bus came to award me that if I was ever in DC to look him up and he would escort us through the CSpan studios. We made that arrangment before going to Washington Matt looked as though he had not aged a bit since he made that trip to Villa Rica, Ga on the CSpan School Bus. We enjoyed meeting up again and while he explained the workings, scheduling and production of CSPAN, I had the opportunity to talk to him about inviting Dr. Reid and founder Brenda Hill of 90for90 on the Morning Journal. He told me to shoot him off an email and he would present it to the decision producers. YES !!!! Now we are talking.
The entire time we were walking and talking, the Correspondence Dinner was playing on
most of the massive monitors. I would imagine it was being archived. Matt then had Sierra sit in the anchor chair of the Washington Journal studio desk as he snapped her pic. What a thrill.... Watch out Susan....there may be a kid eyeing that spot.
Our next adventure was on Capitol Hill. We were taking a tour through the Capitol and this was so impressive, it is hard to describe but what happened next was just mindblowing. The workings of DC is fast and furious. Nothing ever slows down. Jack wanted to take some pics of the outside of the capitol after we listened to legislation being debated in the gallery. They will not allow picture taking in the House or Senate but I sure got a thrill watching amendments being debated. Barbara Lee , the gentle lady from California impressed me on the house floor. At no time during the entire session that I was there did I see she leave her seat. She was busy with notes and the only one I noticed actually trying to work non stop for the people. I saw other legislators come and go but Barbara Lee was tireless.
As we walked through the tunnel and sat down on the steps of the Longworth Building, I was pooped but was taking note of where I was and doing some thinking on how to talk to some of these folks about Dr. Reid's medal of Freedom and some equality of the post 911 and pre 911 benefits that was brought up by Senator Bernie Sanders in 2013 that I never figured out what happened to that bill. I thought to myself, I hope I can stay here long enough to talk to my old CSpan call in legislator, Congressman McDermott from Seattle.
Jim McDermott knows Fergie and I knew this. As I was enjoying the breeze and cherry blossoms, low and behold, but who do I see entering the building? Yep, Congressman Jim McDermott. I rushed up the steps and called out to him. He turned around and I reintroduced myself to him as we had talked several times when I would call in to CSpan. I called into Washington Journal every time that he was a guest back in 2004 and 05. He remembered and laughed when I mentioned they cut us off the air when our discussions got lengthy. I apologized for keeping him from what he was doing but wanted a few minutes of his time to discuss Dr. Reid and to find out what happened to Sen. Sanders Equality for Veterans Caregiving Act of 2013.
Our meeting was a very productive talk. Congressman McDermott and I spoke of Virginia politics which turned into a small cordial debate. I mentioned Dr. Reid and Fergie Jr. and the fact that we three were mutual friends. I talked about the Medal of Freedom. He said, " I agree that Dr. Reid needs the medal of Freedom Award but since this is Virginia politics I know little about VA politics . I said, " This is not all about Virginia politics. This is about a veteran who is still serving his country. This is about civil rights and an icon and We need to make this happen. I do not know that much about Virginia politics, myself. He smiled as I think my persistence and passion was recognized as deeply genuine. I then spoke to him about bringing up legislation to make the caregiver act more equal among all veterans.. I also asked him to check and see where this legislation was on the Sanders/McCain bill of 2013. We hugged goodbye and I thanked him for his time.
As my daughter and I walked down the steps of the Longworth Building, I noticed Former Senator Graham, our former Florida governor and the Father of our newly elected congresswoman from Florida, Gwen Graham. Former Gov. Graham was walking with his wife as I approached and extended my hand and introduced myself being from Inverness. Mrs. Graham and I exchanged pleasantries as I turned to Gov. Graham and spoke to him about the treatment of our veterans as this point in time in Florida. He took out his notepad and said, " Have you talked to my daughter, Gwen" ?
He told me about her being on the Armed Services Committee. I explained to him that I had not yet had the opportunity to speak to her. I also brought up the Caregiver Act to him. He was writing many things down and then he asked for my phone number and email as he planned to see his daughter that evening and bring up these issues to her. I told him I wished we still had him as our Governor and He smiled. He never said a word but smiled at that comment. He also said the next time he and his wife were near Ocala or Inverness, maybe we could all get together. He handed me the famous notepad and asked me to write all of my contact info down as he WOULD be in touch. I was just so happy about that meeting as well.. What were the odds of running into Former Senator/Governor Graham at that time in that spot? We spent a good twenty mintues talking and we said our goodbyes.
At this point, I thought.. well maybe Mission accomplished but I was taken aback again.
I walked across the street and did not see my husband who had made his way out of the wheelchair to snap pics but I decided to go sit down again at the Longworth building and on my way bsck to do just that across the street, when I thoght I had spotted Duval County Congresswoman Corrine Brown.. but it turned out not to be, however,who it did turn out to be was phenominal. When I called out Congresswoman Brown's name ( or who I thought was Jax's congressperson) turned out to be Suzane Johnson Cook....http://www.huffingtonpost.com/... Wow...She and her advisor walked over to me and my daughter and I apologized for mistaken identity but we started talking about her work as a Former Ambassador of Religios Freedoms and Faith Based Initiatives. She was a presidential apointee of President Obama's and counselor to Former President Clinton. She had the president's ear. We talked of the Presidential medal of Freedom. She was speaking up the street that evening and she and I talked a bit on faith and civil rights.
Her companion/aid indicated in so many words that she would be running for office soon. I did not know which office but he did hint at the prospect. She talked to our daughter Sierra and as we thanked her for her time, we had started back to the Longworth Bldg as we heard her companion call out to us and we turned around and he gave me her card and said these exact words.
The Former Ambassador wants you to have this as she wants to get to know you and your famiy better. Please stay in touch. She liked you and your daughter very much.
I thanked him and was very humbled... This woman who happened to be the GodDaughter of Coretta Scott King wanted to stay in touch. This was a very humbling experience. Staying in touch with wonderful leaders works for me. She is an incredible individual. She was so very kind and pleasant.
This was a most pleasant and good citizen advocacy project. I could write a series on this trip but all in all, the whole diary is about getting out there and making a difference.
As my old tag line used to say, " Just Do it" because you can !!!!
I think Dr. Reid will get that medal and if he doesn't, it surely won't be because we haven't tried. I am still working on that award for this worthy icon and veteran. I met a gentleman cabbie who has a lot of pull with the AME Church. He is on board now as well.