A Veterans' rally was held yesterday afternoon at the Sheetmetal Workers' Union Building for Peter Goldmark. Thanks to
sowinso for his diary with the details and more. It
was a powerful experience. To see these men who have fought for this country, spilled their blood, fighting again, and
having to fight to save it is more than anyone can express. More....
A gentleman speaking for disabled veterans spoke passionately, voicing what we all feel, veteran or no. The outrage and anger we all share about this administration having no trouble making new veterans, but having a great deal of trouble giving them the support and care they need when they return. "Halliburton gets their money up-front!" Cathy McMorris and all the rest, "that never put on the uniform," waving the flag and talking about how the money for veterans has been increased. "Well the need is greater!" He didn't stop there. He talked about all the disgraceful and shameful actions and inaction of this government. I only wish McMorris would have try to tell her lies to
his face.
He asked for a moment of silence for Clinton Fuller, the 83-year-old veteran of three wars who died outside the VA hospital in Spokane. He wanted to go there because that is where he had been receiving his care. The facility closed at 4:30, he arrived at 4:35 They didn't have the care he needed. He needed the care of an emergency room.
Another gentleman from WWII, a former POW, introduced, Peter. Peter spoke about the main reasons for his run for Congress: Honor, Integrity, and Respect. He spoke of Cathy's lack of outrage about Mr. Fuller's death and the need for "more than a letter". He spoke of her lack of outrage about all of the recent scandals, her continued acceptance of money from the corrupt leadership and their PACs. He described the lack of respect she demonstrates for the people of her district. He talked about everything that was wrong with this Congress. So deeply striking to me was the really personal way he feels about this district and his dedication to serving the people here. Peter's maturity, his life experience, as someone who has lived fully and embraced life is keenly felt when surrounded by people of this caliber.
At the end of his speech, Peter introduced a lifelong friend and a man he deeply respects from Okanogan and asked him to stand. Tom, stood up and told us about knowing Peter Goldmark from the time Peter was 7 years old. Tom spoke of being shot in the shoulder in WWII. Choking back tears, he said he understood how the injured young men returning today feel. He talked about the wonderful family that Peter came from and the death of Peter's brother. He spoke so eloquently about the poisoned political atmosphere that contributed to his untimely death.
He described Peter coming to his farm with his Caterpillar and doing the work that was needed. He said that Peter was being dismissed as a "gentleman farmer". Anyone who doubts that Peter is a real farmer, he told us, just needed to see him on that Caterpillar. He told everyone, that there were so many lies about Peter and that the people telling them knew full well that they were lies.
But there was one truth. As a man that has known Peter Goldmark for a lifetime, the portrait Tom painted was of a man who has those three qualities that Peter said were so desperately needed.
Tom's intelligence and integrity, his unhesitating willingness to stand and speak with dignity, truthfulness and love is something that will stay with me forever. What this country is and what this country means to us all was told in that half hour.