Stories from the (Phone) Line: Cindy

My previous Story from the Phone Line was about Patty, a first time volunteer motivated by the SCOAMF (my words, not hers) to get off the sidelines and into the game.

This one focuses on a long-time operative.

Cmdr Cindy Stellar (USN- Ret) instructs Texas Rep. Bill Zedler on how to use the phone system.

Commander Cindy Stellar (USN-Ret) is the 1st Vice President of Programs for the Metroplex Republican Women.  She retired from the Navy Nurses Corps in 1995 and became active in politics shortly thereafter.  Her first major campaign was as part of GWH Bush's campaign in 1999 and 2000.  She and her husband were both Team Leaders in the Tennessee county where they lived.  That county was a heavy Democrat county which the Republicans won, when the dust settled, by 47 votes that year.

Where Patty gave me a good sense of what others like me were feeling, Mrs. Stellar (who was, by the way) had an almost grim determination.  Now don't take that the wrong way.  She was as up-beat and optimistic as anyone I've met who wasn't crazy.  I could tell she was jazzed about being there, about the volunteers being there, and about the opportunity to oust the SCOAMF (again- my word, not hers) from office.  Under all of that, though, was a determination to win this thing that I'd never experienced in person before.  Where my anger against the Traitor in Chief burns hot, she had managed to turn that into a steely resolve that I may never match.

I asked her exactly how important she believes phone banks and canvasing are.  "Very important," she replied.  She emphasized that what we were doing was not "just" get out the vote, but vital election day intelligence gathering.  By eliminating those who had already voted, weren't going to vote, or whose numbers were no longer in service, we were freeing up other resources which would become available later.  Now those people don't have to be called again.  Additionally, both over the phone and in person, she spoke of the connection that is made by real, human contact.  Every person who heard us on the phone realized they were talking to a human being instead of a recording.  Everyone who sees a canvasser walking the streets knows that's a real human person.  That helps build connections and relationships- making it more likely that people will vote the "right" way.  And, of course, there was the actual GOTV effect as well.

It is said that in a turn-out election, GOTV is supreme.  Well, they're all turn-out elections.

She further said she believed that it was of vital importance that Republicans were counteracting the vaunted "Obama Machine" from 2008.  By using the centralized database, the intelligence data gathered could more quickly be returned to the field as useful information.  With Conservatives on social media, she believes we have taken away one of Obama's primary advantages.

She spoke of a "silent wave" she believes is sweeping the nation.  She pointed out that, in the Bush win of 2000, none of the media expected the Evangelical vote- because they'd been wilfully blind to it.  She believes the same is true today; the People of America want Obama out, and she believes the media will be shocked, and left scratching their heads asking "well where did THAT come from?"

Finally, I asked her what one thing she would want people to know- both about this election, though few will see these words in time for them to be of use- but also for future elections.  She had three words. 

"Your vote counts."

She then said something that I and others have said, with perhaps less "moral authority."  People have bled and died to give you the right to vote.  People fought and died to give you that right, and not to be informed and exercise it is "lazy and self-serving."  "I lived in Europe for 4 years," she said, "I know what Socialism is."

With Cmdr. Stellar and those like her, I know we have the experienced, grass-roots leaders who can propel us to victory.  Hopefully those of my generation can learn the lessons hers can teach us.

NOTE: I owe Mrs. Stellar an apology.  I had originally thought, and told her, that this piece would appear on the Arlington Voice, and that the piece I've posted there (which will probably become available tomorrow or the next day) would appear here.  I decided I did not want to wait for the inevitable (and even necessary) delays of posting a piece there.

RIP Sergeant Major Plumley

One of my favorite adult memories was taking my dad, a Vietnam veteran, to see We Were Soldiers- the movie of the book which followed then Lt. Colonel Moore and his Air Cavalry unit into the Ia Drang valley.  Besides how good the movie itself was, there was a deeper connection because of my dad.  I'll never forget going to see that movie.  Indeed, when I watch it now, half of my enjoyment is remembering getting to share that movie with my dad.

So while I don't share the connection to him that actual soldiers do, let me say I was most saddened to hear of the loss of Command Sergeant Major Basil Plumley yesterday.  What he did for his country is something I can barely comprehend, and I can't give him enough honor.  His wife had died shortly before, so I pray they are reunited in Glory.

Rest in peace, Sergeant Major.  God Bless you and keep you.

The Day I Met Master Sargent Harold Omar Steffen

I love history, especially military history.  Few things stir my blood like hearing the tales of heroism that are part-and-parcel with the great traditions of the United States Military.  From the early days of John Paul Jones and George Washington, to Picket's Charge, to D-Day, to the Evacuation of Saigon, to Vietnam, to Desert Shield and Desert Storm, to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.  These men and women sacrifice their lives, often even while living, to give us liberty and keep us safe.

So when my wife was given the option to accept the uniform of her deceased grandfather, I jumped at it.  I knew nothing about him, but I knew I wanted that uniform.  It sits now on a silent butler in a closet; I keep meaning to have it professionally cleaned and framed.  We've had it for several years, and I still knew nothing about him.

So, when it came time to decide what to do for Memorial Day, I decided to learn about him.

His name was Harold O Steffen, and he met his wife while in the army stationed in Austria.  He joined up in 1943 and served honorably in World War II and Korea.  Over his 25 years in the US Army, he achieved the rank of Master Sargent, not to mention siring and rearing 4 children.

He retired honorably in 1968, and died still a relatively young man at age 53 in 1982.

I still don't know as much about him as I'd like, but his children didn't keep the best of records.  My wife's aunt has the most stuff- probably including his service awards and ribbons- but she hasn't sent those along to us, yet.

So join me in greeting this minor, but undeniable Hero in the Pantheon of American Heroes.  God speed, Master Sargent Steffen, Rest in Peace.

A Date which will live in Infamy

Seventy years ago today, the Empire of Japan "suddenly and deliberately attacked" the United States military installation in Pearl Harbor.  They did considerable damage to our fleet there, and brought the United States into World War II.

Many brave men died that day; fighting back, attempting to rescue their comrades, or simply at rest.

After that, the World War was not the same.  The American giant had awoken, and its wrath was terrible.  Fighting one enemy virtually alone, and assisting our allies in dealing with another, the United States mobilized a fighting force the likes of which had never been seen on this planet.

And when the fighting was done, we stopped.  We helped rebuild those same countries we had just destroyed.  After the fighting, we put down our weapons, scuttled many of our ships, and clipped the wings of many of our airplanes.

Today that tradition continues.  Our brave Airmen, Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers (and Coasties) continue to safeguard our way of life- and yet, almost uniquely in the history of the world- our military seeks peace.

For you, Warriors of America, I give thanks.  I will never be able to express enough how much I owe to you.