Report on Kerry visit to Green Bay Wisconsin

[RetroLounge]

My friend Tracey sent me this email and asked me to post it here. Enjoy.

RL

********************************

Hello from the campaign trail:

I have to share the amazing experience I had over the last couple of days
as John Kerry visited Green Bay, Wisconsin. As the Coordinator for
Veterans for Kerry in Southeast Wisconsin, I was asked to attend, and all
of us in the state had been working feverously for 10 days on this event.
I can't tell you the number of vets and new combat vets I have talked to
from Wisconsin. John Hale (another coordinator) says that he will get two
things out of his involvement with the campaign and that is to elect a new
president and make new friends. I could not agree more!

It is an honor to be able to call people to meet and greet John Kerry at
the airport even with the Memorial Day weekend coming up. With Green Bay
being a 2-3 hours drive, there was no difficulty in finding veterans to
go. We organized rides from Milwaukee. For those who could not go, the
sentiment was one of regret that they could not attend. I knew as I left
my house that I was one of the many dedicated supporters, and being a
veteran I was part of a special group.

Camaradery and Army vs. Navy jokes were flying at the airport. We were a
diverse group and the excitement was high. I had a special gift for JK,
from Milwaukee vets who could not be there. This gave JK a heartily
laugh. The man has a sense of humor and a great laugh. Del Sandusky and
some others gave the guys a hard time for not giving me a coat for the
cold. The temp had dropped 20 degrees since I left my house and I had
short sleeves on so I think I looked a little purple. In the guys
defense, they had offered their coats, but I was focused on the purpose at
hand and carried on without a coat. JK worked his way through the line
talking, shaking hands, and signed a few items.

We were herded onto our bus to go with the motorcade to go to the
Veteran's Memorial Hall across the street from Lambeau Field (the Packers
for you football fans) where 2000 people were crammed into a room. They
had no chairs left when we arrived and we were basically put in an isle
for the rally. Energy and enthusiasm was high. People need to believe
and hope that we can change and stop what is happening to our country. JK
was at his finest. Rasmussen and two crew members spoke of their support
for JK. Our LT. Gov. and one of our Senators spoke also. The evening
ended with confetti falling in cloud. My hands hurt from clapping. Go
KERRY.

Sunday I was asked to be at the breakfast with the some combat veterans
from Iraq, reservist, and some family members, and JK would be joining
them. I had coffee with a young man who lost both his legs in Iraq. He
inspires with his strength and courage. He wants to go to college and be
a teacher. His mom was pretty neat too. The experiences of these folks
who are on the front lines today or awaiting that call to come is very
grounding. They are very brave (families are included in that statement).
We may be the ones to raise our hand, but there are many who stand with
us at the moment from parents, spouses, bothers, sisters, and children.
Oh the children. The price this country is paying...but many of you are
the choir.

We were taken on another bus in another motorcade to the invitation only
Veterans town hall meeting which was very close and personal. There were
not all the barriers of the night before between JK and us. We came and
were seated very near JK. He sat with us as a man read why he was voting
for JK after being a life long Republican. It was very emotional for him
and many of us in the audience. JK stood and in a true heart felt way
hugged the man. Rasmussen (the man JK saved from the river in Vietnam)
had the same effect as another Repug voting for JK. These were strong
powerful speeches filled with sincerity, emotion and belief in our country
and JK. This group filled with vets and family of vets was very down to
earth, real, if not raw sometimes in their questions. No polite words
were wasted. I do not believe JK tip-toed around either. He would walk
into the crowd. Gave his microphone to people and teased the boyscouts
who were not moving fast enough to get mics to people. I cried 3 times.

Honor and recognition were shown to the WWII vets and many were in
attendance. JK shared with us as a child his experience traveling through
Berlin and peaking at the Russians from the train who then beat their
rifles on the windows as this then young curious boy. His life experience
has so prepared him and made him ready to be the president we need to lead
us forward. He also shared with us what I feel is his vet side. He was
real. He cared. He as a veteran understands what Memorial Day is about.

I had people thank me for all I am doing, but really, we are all in this
together. It will take all of us to take back our country and put an
elected man like John Kerry in as our president. I was able to share
with him stories about the amazing people of my state and the level of
dedication he has inspired. He thanked me and said that it was good to
hear. I received a signed copy of “Tour of Duty” as follows: “To Tracey,
thanks for taking on a leadership role. John Kerry.” Wow! What an honor.

ON that note- JOHN KERRY IS THE REAL DEAL!

Please check out the pictures etc. at www.kerrysupporters.com

In Service,
Tracey

[Dinger]

1. I was there, and yes, it was an amazing night

Excellent post Retro. Did you see my pics here? I posted them the same night. I have some more I will post soon.
You know what was fun too? I know this might seem trivial, but I liked the music. Especially the Elvis stuff. My son was with me, and this will be his first Presidential election. We bought a Packer corsage from a WWII vet as we waited in line. He (my son) has always liked to read about the military history of this country, so he enjoyed meeting a vet. It was really a great night for us both. I got some really cool bumper stickers, pins, t-shirts, and other things in support of Kerry and against bu$h. One thing sticks out for me that Kerry said - "The American economy should work for America. America shouldn't have to work for the economy." It's one thing that for one reason or another has stuck in my head since Thursday night.
I was a Clark supporter early on (I still am), and thanks to Wes's support of John Kerry, I easily support Kerry now, as does the rest of my family. I also showed the students in my 4th grade class his autograph and pictures (I had permission of school administration). I am hoping against hope that I can get John Kerry or his yet-to-be-named runnung mate (Clark I hope I hope I hope) to come and visit my school or better yet, my classroom. Impossible? Maybe, but I do have some connections which may help. I'll keep you all posted.

[JI7]

2. WOW, that was GREAT

incredible report of the events that took place. i love reading these things . they really show personal experiences that the media often ignores in favor of short sound bytes. i loved reading the whole thing. there were a few other reports posted on du of this event by people who attended and by all accounts it was a great rally.