“Guard against the postures of pretended patriotism.” ~ George Washington, Farewell Address, September 17, 1796
PAT’RIOTISM, n. Love of one’s country; the passion which aims to serve one’s country, either in defending it from invasion, or protecting its rights and maintaining its laws and institutions in vigor and purity. Patriotism is the characteristic of a good citizen, the noblest passion that animates a man in the character of a citizen. ~ Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
So…
I went home to Seattle…
for a few days…
last week.
It was…
for the purpose…
of attending…
the graduation ceremonies…
of the high school…
where my brother, Tim…
is the principal.
Fact is…
there was a dual purpose.
I have this friend…
named Robert…
or Rob…
but never Bob.
(That was our rhyme…
in high school…
so we would…
get it “right!”)
We were…
pretty much…
the best of friends.
I had come…
new to our high school…
in my senior year.
Rob McKenna…
on the other hand…
knew everyone…
was a totally driven…
overachiever…
who took notes…
in impeccable…
outline form.
He was also…
the Senior Class President.
He mistakenly…
thought that I…
was the proverbial…
“leader of the pack”…
for the group…
that was barely skating by…
and took pass breaks…
as an opportunity…
to smoke…
“on the lanai.”
I corrected that misnomer…
quite possibly…
with tremendous zeal…
and a lack of diplomacy.
We bonded.
At that particular point…
Robert had only…
experienced one B…
on any report card…
in his entire life.
And that, my friends…
was in P.E.
He was extremely popular…
in every class…
with quite a diverse…
group of individuals…
that included…
all jocks and cheerleaders.
People were hoping…
that being close to him…
in proximity…
would guarantee…
a passing grade!
It pretty much did.
One class…
in particular…
that he and I shared…
could very well…
be mistaken…
for a near-death group.
It was right after lunch…
involved copious amounts…
of WWII movies…
and the geography…
that went along…
with each piece…
of said war.
I was…
and still am…
directionally challenged.
He took…
extreme delight…
during our map tests…
because you were…
to correct your neighbors!
Tears would pour…
down his face…
as he suppressed peals…
of laughter…
over some of my interpretations.
His…
of course…
looked like Rand McNally…
photocopies!
I saw to it…
that he remained real…
by providing daily levity.
Over the years…
I’ve been a real slacker…
about attending reunions.
Rob went on…
to become…
Student Body President…
at the University of Washington…
earning a B.A. in Economics…
and a B.A. in International Studies…
both with honors.
He attended Law School…
in Chicago.
He is currently serving…
his second term…
as Washington State’s…
17th Attorney General.
My brother…
had secured him…
to speak…
as the graduation keynote.
This was particularly significant…
because he recently…
called a meeting…
at our former high school…
to announce…
his intent…
to run for Governor.
He knew…
that I would be…
attending graduation.
When he got up to speak…
he immediately referenced…
his speech…
from our own graduation in 1980.
He had talked about starvation…
world peace…
and all kinds of upbeat things.
In fact…
he made a point…
to tell everyone present…
that I had chided him…
about presenting…
such a downer!
He promised to do better…
during this second chance.
He exceeded his promise.
It took…
some serious adjustment…
on my part…
to see him…
in this light.
While he was speaking…
here is what I received.,,
via text message…
from my brother.
“Rob will exit back door…
so u need to follow him out.”
Me: “Look, I’m barely here!
Can’t find entrance.
Pouring rain! ” ;0(
“He’s going out door behind me on your right.”
Me: “That “door”…is the great OUTdoors!
Where it is pouring! Thanks.”
And there we were.
Catching up on 30 years.
Just the two of us.
While it was indeed…
a tremendous privilege…
I couldn’t help but notice…
the resolution…
determination…
and slight fatigue…
coupled with the excitement…
of his recent announcement.
There was also…
that formality…
underneath a genuine warmth…
and renewed familiarity…
that reminded me…
of who he had become…
and how committed he is…
to avoiding…
any type…
of Weiner/Schwarzeneggar/Edwards…
political path.
It was also…
a reminder…
that there is…
a price…
that is being paid…
each and every day…
for freedom.
Each and every American…
needs to avoid…
patriotism…
that is void of works.
Vote.
Work the polls.
Do your part…
to serve our country…
in some way.
No genuine effort…
is too small.
Our republic…
depends…
on “We the People.”
And that…
means all of us.
A true friend…
no matter what…
remains.
Me: ” I want a picture.”
Rob: “Okay. We’ll have to take it ourselves.”
Me: “But the background really stinks!”
Rob: (laughing like “the old days”) “How about you get over here and quit talking?”
Me: “Seriously?!”
Rob: “It is what it is.”
As he was walking to his car…
I said…
“About the two speeches…
Idealism vs. Realism.”
His response?
“Indeed.”
How real…
is your patriotism?
Rob’s…
is the definition…
of maintaining laws and institutions…
in vigor and purity.
How about you?
I’m not referring…
to a party.
The burden…
of maintaining…
this republic…
doesn’t rest…
with a few.
It’s the responsibility…
of “We the People.”
Great article Teri! If I were a Washingtonian I’d vote for Rob! I’ll definitely pass the word on to my Washington friends! And, Teri, daily levity is definitely your God given gift….especially to those of us “Robs” in this world!
[Reply]
I haven’t done a lot of research yet on gubernatorial candidates, but he’s definitely a contender in my book! He has been harassed by Gregoire for having our state join the lawsuit over Obamacare … definitely a plus in my book! I didn’t know you had such high-placed friends, Teri!
[Reply]
Teri, thank you very much for your wonderful, poetic account of our reunion at the Insight commencement. I deeply appreciate your friendship, and Tim’s, and your confidence in me. All my best to Paul, you, the kids and the rest of your family.
Best wishes,
Rob
[Reply]