Posted on 10/05/2007 7:20:37 AM PDT by Calpernia
The bearded patient in the Veterans Administration Hospital in La Jolla is sitting alone on Christmas, using television to kill the minutes before lunch. He sees a congressman coming, like Santa Claus, with a bag. "You should grow a beard," George Tayson, 51, tells Rep. Duncan Hunter, the clean-shaven Republican whose district covers parts of southern San Diego County. "Not for Santa. But it would get you votes," Tayson says. Hunter laughs. It is the laugh of a person who is making his Christmas as maybe only a Duncan Hunter might.
His father, his three brothers and his sister had mustered on Christmas Eve in Los Angeles, at the hospital bedside of his mother. She is combating a stroke. Hunter paid homage to mother and family and, taking along brother Bob and a basso profundo singer, Boston's John Hurley whom he met on a plane, drove south to the VA Hospital. He toted a bag of books, candy and House of Representatives ballpoint pens.
There Hunter meets Skip Wills, the hospital's chief of volunteer services, in the lobby. "We're here to thank the veterans," he says. "For serving their country. They have done the greatest service a person can do for one's country."
He sees Denny Frangos, 63, wearing a patient's plastic bracelet and sitting alone, watching a Boston Celtics basketball game on television. Frangos, a World War II veteran, says he really doesn't care about the score. It is watching the Boston team that is important. Why, asks Hunter. Frangos says he is from Lowell, Mass., just outside Boston, and he is by himself this Christmas and the Celtics are Boston and Boston is home and home is Christmas. Hunter and Frangos exchange service stories. The congressman, a Padres fan, tries to find something sweet to say about the Boston Red Sox. Frangos smiles. "The Red Sox haven't been doing all that well lately," he says. "But they are Boston." Hunter reaches into his bag. He pulls out the autobiography of flyer Chuck Yeager. "I've heard the name," says Frangos. Hunter describes Yeager's wartime exploits. He adds, "In my 1980 campaign, none of the politicians from Washington would come to speak at my final fund-raiser. But Chuck did."
Hunter then finds, in the same patient lounge, the bearded Tayson. Tayson talks of wartime days on aircraft carriers, destroyers and LSTs. Hunter says he himself served in the Army, the Rangers, and has less than a Christopher Columbian grasp of naval matters. But, ah, how about this? Hunter pulls from the bag, held by brother Bob, a copy of the best-selling novel "Texas." Tayson shakes his head. "I'm from Arkansas," he says and Hunter is enough of a politician to know that Arkansans do not necessarily adore Texas. Hunter hands him instead "Intrepid's Last Case," a book of intelligence matters. Tayson is pleased and says, really, a beard would suit you, Congressman. Hunter smiles and says, "Well, remember the little girl who advised Abraham Lincoln to grow a beard. She said it would help him. Because he was so ugly." "Well," says Tayson and laughs.
Nurse Amy Salud, one of a platoon of nurses thanking Hunter for cheering their patients, shakes his hand and says they have met before. On a previous hospital visit? asks the congressman. "No, at the Miss Philippines Pageant," says Salud. Hunter puts on a Scrooge face. "Ah, yes," he says, "the Miss Philippines Pageant. I didn't win." Salud laughs. He hands her a House of Representatives pen. He hands another to a bedridden patient. Hunter bends over and half-whispers, "It's a congressional pen. It writes only in red." The patient laughs. The congressman now musters his brother, Hurley and himself to chorus carols for the patients, without family, in the lounge. Tayson opens his beard to sing along. Not Frangos. During the singing he leans forward, staring into yesterday. Then he leans back, smiles and, saying he is a music critic, begins to read his book.
Hospital official Wills sees a photographer taking pictures and moves forward with forms for patients to sign approval for having their photographs taken. He hands a form to Tayson. Tayson signs. Then he rubs his beard and motions Wills forward. "Hey," he says to the official, "what did I sign? Did I just re-enlist?" The congressman is wishing Merry Christmas and does anyone have any wishes? A bedded patient beckons Hunter to his side. Hunter lowers his head and listens. The congressman nods. He rises and strides out into the hall and finds a nurse. "He wants his lunch," Hunter says.
Everybody that comes into contact with Hunter seems to be impressed by him or like him.
Never wavering priorities PING
Well, some things never change, Cong. Hunter.
What a sweet story, thanks for posting this. Hunter was out there doing the right thing long before this war.
B4DH!
“God bless him,” she says with tears in her eyes. GO DUNCAN HUNTER!
Great story ~ let’s hear it for Duncan Hunter!
On Fox and Friends this morning, Ann coulter gave him a big plug.
LOL...Humor bump
“On Fox and Friends this morning, Ann coulter gave him a big plug.”
Great!
Heck’s bells. I haven’t ever been anywhere where he is, at the same time, and I’m so impressed with him I am banking on his win of the White House and his ability to turn this nation around before it is lost for ever and all time. I pray for his health because he will a very very busy man.
Yah, I’ve started to pray for Hunter too.
“He adds, “In my 1980 campaign, none of the politicians from Washington would come to speak at my final fund-raiser. But Chuck did.” “
I love that line!! True then, true today. He also won then!
hmmm? Will history repeat itself? For the country’s sake, I hope so!!
I pray for him every day, hoping God will bless us with him as our president.
I was about 2 months and 2 weeks old.
Can you imagine the stamina it must take to run for president, be upfront in congress and still have a sense of humor? IMO, Hunter is the best physically and emotionally for the challenge...not to mention being right on all the issues.
Attn. Oregonians!
from an email:
Just the other day I was alerted to the Oregon GOP leadership conference’s presidential straw poll. I will drive down to Portland tonight and attend Saturday to represent our campaign and want to encourage you to attend so you can place your vote for Mr. Hunter in this contest. The requirement for voting is being a registered Republican voter (or reregistering at the event) and payment of $20 to aid the Oregon GOP.
Location: “World Trade Center” Bldg. 2 Mezzanine
2nd Ave. and Salmon St. (on Portland waterfront)
Portland, Oregon
Date: Saturday October 6th
Time: 11:00- 12:30 campaign presentations.
I will arrive at 8AM. The conference itself is packed with sessions on campaigning and includes a banquet ($50) Saturday night.
www.orgop.org
I’ve made little preparation for this event, but we can still have a good showing. It will be hard to beat Mr. Hunter’s victory at the Texas GOP straw poll* on August 31st! There are many good things happening for us these days and I want you to join in.
Best regards,
Craig Keller
Hunter for President, volunteer
Western States Grassroots Coordinator
(206) 935-4625 (please feel free to reach me at this number throughout the weekend)
Craig Keller BUMP!!!
Craig’s meetup is:
http://duncanhunter.meetup.com/3/
Wash. St. Straight Shooters for Duncan Hunter
“Can you imagine the stamina it must take to run for president, be upfront in congress and still have a sense of humor? IMO, Hunter is the best physically and emotionally for the challenge...not to mention being right on all the issues.”
I’m tired just being a supporter.
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