WE the People

There are moments in history that have galvanized our country as one.  Pearl Harbor.  JFK.  Challenger. 9/11.  Oklahoma City.  Katrina.  Columbine and Sandy Hook.  The Boston Marathon bombing.  So many tragedies where countless lives have been lost, and in our darkest hour, we turned to each other.  WE prayed at vigils.  WE mourned the losses.  WE cried countless tears.  WE sang our anthem in unison.  WE were the UNITED States of America in all of it’s Glory.

So must WE be again.  This election has brought out the worst in us.  WE have brought 2 of the worst possible candidates to the forefront of this precedent setting decision.  At no time more than the present have we needed a strong leader for our country.  We have an image that has tarnished over the past 2 decades, and our strength as the world’s economic leader has long since faded. We do not command the respect we once did, and for a country as proud as the USA, that is a shame.  Our duty was to bring someone to the table that would be able to restore our status, and both parties have fallen quite short. 

That ship has sailed though, so now we must decide.  I know who I am voting for, and post-election, I know the only person whom I will support. 

They just might be 2 different people. 

I will perform my civic duty and vote, and I hope my candidate wins.  However, if they do not, I STILL pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.  Whomever wins, well, they’re the President – MY President.  I will expect them to uphold our constitution, and to represent our country in the way we should be represented, and in turn, I will pledge my support to our country as I always have.

I will also continue to try and make my community better.  Let’s face it, that’s where it all begins anyways.  WE have the power to affect change in our daily lives.  WE have the power to send a message to all of our elected officials that they are our hired help, tasked with managing the day-to-day steps of running our City, County, and State.  Our only escape is to not let our politicians define us, our task is to outline, with excruciating clarity, the very meaning of what our leaders should be, how they act, demand their performance, and to act swiftly if those conditions are not met.  WE have to stand together to make our lives enriched, and hold our elected officials accountable when they fail, but conversely, and as equally important, support them when they follow through with their challenges. 

Most important though is how we treat each other, and during this process we have failed there as well.  Gone is the solidarity exhibited during raucous renditions of the Star Spangled Banner sang when WE were down.  When WE were attacked, when tragedy struck, WE picked ourselves up and raised our spirits because WE were in this together. 

These attacks are different.  They are not from an inside source – the attackers are us.  Family and friends, classmates and co-workers, acquaintances and strangers, every one of us has an opinion and most of us are not only willing to share, but to question the other’s patriotism and worse, their intelligence.  WE are at each other’s throats.  WE assign blame to the other party, and we ridicule their aptitude.  “How can you possibly vote for THAT candidate – what are you – stupid?”  WE talk to each other in ways WE would not allow our children to speak.  WE are supposed to be the example of how to act, and yet, WE have failed there too.

But it is not too late.

Tomorrow night, WE should have some clarity on whom our next President will be.  It will be a close vote. Many of us will not be happy.  But one thing will be certain, and that is the American voter will have spoken.  WE have the opportunity to take a deep breath, accept the result, and rebuild our faith in each other. Our only hope is to not turn on each other as we did during the last year.  WE must come together as we have before, but stronger than ever.  WE must replace the passion for our candidate with a passion for our fellow man and country, and WE must pledge our allegiance to our country and its new leader.  If we continue the infighting and erode away the foundation of our country’s strength, no President will be able to lead us to prosperity.

WE begins with me.  And You.  And my neighbors and yours.  Let’s find our passion for our Country, our State, our City, and most importantly, with each other.  To be aWEsome again, WE have to be right in the middle of it.  WE have to stop pointing a finger and start lifting one.  WE are the answer.  I’m in.  I hope you are too.

40 Years

The call came early in the morning, 1:30 AM I believe.

It was well before the caller ID era, but we knew who was calling. My father was losing his battle with diabetes, and his fight was waning daily.

"Mrs. Kazmer, I'm so sorry, but your husband has passed quietly in his sleep", the caller said, "Please accept my sincere condolences".

I wasn't on the phone, so I didn't hear those words, but I saw my mother's face and I knew. I will remember my mom's next words forever though. Through heart wrenching sobs, she said "he is no longer in pain".

Frank Wilbur Kazmer passed on this very day, January 30th, 1976, exactly 40 years ago, at the young age of 55. The final blow to his health was kidney failure brought on by diabetes. This terrible disease also took his sight and the use of his legs, put him in a coma for months and contributed to a collapsed lung, and yet, I never heard him utter "why me" once. He was always the catalyst to his own success, whether it was ascending through the ranks fighting in World War II and the Korean War, or through the yet to be bourgeoning world of Orange County California real estate. He could have been bitter to have his destiny decided for him, but that was not his style.

I hardly knew the real Frank Kazmer. I was 13 at the time, and had watched him battle his health for 5 or 6 of those years. He came to some of my baseball games, even though he couldn't see them. He attended my brother's basketball games, just to hear the roar of the crowd. He moved back to South Dakota in 1974 because he wanted to be home, but could only smell the trees and feel winter's brisk kiss. The man had been dealt a pretty ugly hand in life, and yet he reveled in its every minute. What I wouldn't give to have had more time with him.

My wife never met him.  My daughter has only heard the stories. Nieces and nephews miss the man with which they have never shared a conversation. 40 years from his last breath on earth, and he still commands an audience.

When Valerie Reid Kazmer joined Frank late in 2013, she had lived more years without him, nearly 38, than she shared with him, 33. Yet, she never remarried. Whenever we'd talk about Dad, her eyes would sparkle like a young teenager, and you could actually feel the love she still had for her Frank. While my mother battled cancer, we had to have the inevitable talk with her about her burial. Her wish - "bury me close enough to Frank, cut a hole in each of our coffins, and that way I can hold my guy's hand forever". True love lasts forever.

Dad, the harsh pain of your passing has long subsided, but don't ever think that you are forgotten. As I celebrated my recent 31st anniversary with my bride, I couldn't help but think of you and mom and the 33 years you shared together. Marcia and I are approaching that number with the commitment, loyalty, and love that you both had, and I can only hope I have become the kind of man that warrants the same kind of devotion mom had for you.

Even today, you are an inspiration to me regardless of the short time you were given. I firmly believe that I am the person I am now because of the person you and mom molded early on. I love my family, I am devoted to my wife, and I pledge to always give the love and support to Jessica that you gave us. I live today as you lived then, and thus a piece of you always live on with me.

I missed you quite a bit today, but I'll get back to it tomorrow. Life has been a bit of a challenge lately, but we're not cut from the "why me" cloth, so I'll tighten up the boots and follow your footsteps once more, because that's what we do.

I love you Dad.