From military service to decades as a public servant....

[Wetzelbill]

Ted Kennedy always served his country. He was a wealthy man born into privelege and he lived a selfless life fighting for those less fortunate than he was. He was an amazing person.

A quick story:

I have told this a few times here before but please bear with me. My grandfather was a former Blackfeet Tribal Chairman and President of the National Congress of American Indians in the 1960s. He did lots of work with President Kennedy and his brothers. He knew JFK and RFK much more than he did Teddy, but he loved them all for what they did for Indians and our country as a whole. Well in November 2003, my grandfather passed away, and sometimes later there was talk of having a special ceremony for him on our reservation. Around this time, Ted Kennedy had his office call my dad and several of my aunts and uncles and he passed on a message to all of them. He said that he considered my grandfather to be like family, and that if they wanted him to speak at the ceremony he would be glad to do it himself or at least send RFK Jr to represent the Kennedy family.

He didn't have to do that, but he did it anyway. And it made my family so proud and so happy that somebody as big and famous as Ted Kennedy would still remember my grandfather, his friendship and even go as far as to include all of us in it by saying were were like family too.

Among many wonderful things, I'll always remember him for that.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

1. He left his office on Wednesday afternoons,

and went to a local elementary school, in a poor neighborhood not far from Capitol Hill, and spent time there, reading to the kids.

Never told anyone....................

[Wetzelbill]

3. That is awesome

I never knew that.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

6. No one did

except a few Capitol Hill folks.

He's done it for about twenty years................

[Wetzelbill]

8. where did you hear that from?

That's a great story, what a kind act.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

11. I live here, worked as a Washington lawyer

for almost 30 years, and spent plenty of time on the Hill. A friend of mine, who worked in Tip O'Neill's office, told me about it one Fourth of July when we all gathered on the balcony of the Speaker's office, overlooking the Mall, to watch the fireworks. She swore me to secrecy.

It struck me so, that he would do that without any publicity. I just kept thinking of it as the fireworks went off, couldn't get over such a big man doing such a small and wonderful thing so quietly.

It was during Reagan's presidency, and Tip was still Speaker, so I guess it goes back longer than twenty years.........................

[Wetzelbill]

13. that is so amazing

That inspires me to be a better man.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. That is a beautiful story

thanks for sharing

[Wetzelbill]

5. you're welcome

Glad to do it.

[NanceGreggs]

4. Thanks for sharing this, Bill ...

A lovely story, so appropriately retold tonight.

[Wetzelbill]

7. you're welcome, Nance

:)

[EFerrari]

9. He was supposed to be the youngest, the dissolute one,

the ne'er-do-well that got to skate.

Instead, he gave too many eulogies when he was much too young, and took up this nation's wellbeing as his cause. What a champion he was for us. What a decent man he was.

That's a great story, Bill. :hug:

[Wetzelbill]

10. amen

You said it well, my friend. :)

[JohnnyLib2]

12. Thank you for this story.

He did so much for so many.....

[Wetzelbill]

14. I appreciate you reading it

You're welcome.

[UrbScotty]

15. Sure seems like Ted Kennedy!

Thank you, Ted! O8)

[Vidar]

16. K&R

[pdxmom]

17. When I was about 7 years old, I got separated from my folks in National

Airport. Ted Kennedy was coming through, with staff and body guards. He saw me, this crying little kid, and came over, put his arm around me and asked me what was wrong. He then tasked one of his people to find my mom, and stayed with me until she was found. He calmed me down and was so terribly kind to me and my family. My mom was stunned that such an important man would take the time to help a lost child. I just thought he was a nice man.

Over the years, I'd see Ted driving by, on his way to a retreat they had in Middleburg, VA. I always wished, as an adult, that I could have speak with him again and thank him for his earlier kindness. It has stuck with me for the rest of my life.

[Wetzelbill]

18. Great story!

Thanks for sharing. :)