Today was just packed full of good news on the campaign trail. This afternoon I attended a fabulous "Thank You" farewell event for the 81st Brigade at Game Farm Park in Auburn. The American Legion and USO were two of the primary sponsors and they laid it all on the line for our heroes who officially get sworn in to active duty service for their next deployment to Iraq this week.

There were games, activities and a huge inflatable tent for the kids, and BBQ, cake and ice cream to feast on. The troops and their families seemed to be enjoying themselves. There were hundreds in attendance, maybe 300 or so. It was huge.

Dino Rossi was there early, before the official ceremony, to shake some hands and let the troops know that he was praying for their safe return. When I got there I found Dino right away...he was the guy in the suit that had a constant flock of families and troops around him, getting their pictures with him and telling him how they voted for him last time and wanted to see him win again. It was inspiring.

For the official ceremony, which lasted about 30 minutes, we heard from the mayor of Auburn, State Senator Pam Roach, U.S. Congressman Adam Smith, Congressman Dave Reichert and
Governor Gregoire. Each politician gave a short "thank you" speech, and an appeal to support the families. All but one seemed rather obligatory, but polite.

When Adam Smith made the comment, "Please let us know what we can do for you and how we can help you," I couldn't help but think to myself "Maybe you could stop running their Commander-in-Chief, President Bush, into the ground about this war. Maybe you could publicly condemn the Harry Reids and Jim McDermotts of the world who depress military morale by declaring the wars as not winnable and immoral." I digress... .

Reichert was the last to speak. He was the exception to the others. He started to speak and then had to stop. He got a little choked up. He went on to say that this was a day of mixed emotions. It was a sad day...but one of understandable nervousness and pride at the same time. He said, "I wish you could all see what I see when I look out at your faces. I see America. I see what makes our country great." He gave a few more moments of inspiring words and then sat down. The mood suddenly seemed sober and dignified.

What took place at the conclusion of the ceremony was very revealing.
 
The emcee gave the go ahead to let the games and feasting begin, though a lot of people did not rush to the food or the games. Instead, these troops flocked to Congressman Reichert, lining up to get pictures with him, to talk to him and shake his hand. He was a magnet. A hero magnet.

The other politicians were surrounded by their own staffers and some of the American Legion folks who were hosting the event.

Think about it. Dave Reichert drew a crowd of heroes. Dino Rossi drew a crowd of heroes. If you ask me, that sounds like a righteous future ticket!