I had such an interesting childhood. Peoria was a remarkable place and a focus of major political players. Because Peoria is home to the world headquarters for Caterpillar, as well as a large UAW presence… anyone who was anyone in politics made their way to Peoria. Growing up the son of a man who graduated from the FBI Academy, once served as an agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and was currently a local police official, I was allowed entry into a lot of interesting places. My Dad must have maintained a high level of security clearance because anytime these big-wigs would come to Peoria, he would get added to the security detail. He almost always managed to get me in whenever he had the chance. I would end up in some car in the caravan. I was a lucky kid.
Oh my Gosh… i thought I was so cool. I felt like this guy looks. LOLAs a boy I met Jimmy Carter (he was just a kindly Grandpa), Walter Mondale (nerdy in a good way), Ronald Reagan (extremely likable but even as a boy I could tell he wasn’t very smart), Nancy Reagan (aloof like she didn’t know how to talk to kids), George Bush (goofy), Barbara Bush (just a horrible, unpleasant woman… seriously a pretentious witch), and Bill Clinton (so dynamic… but really needy, like he needed the approval of everyone he ever talked to). Seriously it was an amazing time for me. Later as an adult I met Barack and Michelle (Talk about calm, cool, collected, and in control. They oozed confidence and competence.) The fact I was from just a normal family in a normal neighborhood, it is just nuts to me that I got to meet all of these important people.
It all started here.But for me, it was an afternoon encounter with Hillary Clinton in 1991 that blew me away. I was a senior in high school and Dad had pulled me out of school because Bill and Hillary were going to be in town and he was working their detail. Our first stop was the UAW Local 974 headquarters in East Peoria. Hillary introduced Bill with energy and spirit and was just remarkable. When she was done she made a beeline to me in the back of the room while Bill was speaking. I was by far the youngest person in the room, and she probably wondered who the heck I was. She asked me all sorts of questions: about school, my life, my future plans. It was such a relaxing, casual conversation and I could tell she was genuinely interested in me. I explained I had chosen to attend Illinois State in the fall and I planned to be a journalist. We swapped stories about magazines and newspapers we read until the event at that stop wrapped up and we had to leave.
Suits, suits, everywhere!Our next stop was the world headquarters for Caterpillar in Peoria. It was the same routine as before. Hillary introduced Bill and then immediately made a beeline to me. She asked what I did to have fun or pass the time and I explained that I actually had been really busy lately completing volunteer hours as part of my Catholic confirmation that was quickly approaching. I went on to tell her I had been working in a soup kitchen, at a food pantry, and at a shelter and I was so overwhelmed by the number of people in the Peoria area who were still hurting from the terrible economic struggles of the 1980’s. Hillary got really animated and started talking about how she had been called to a life of service around my same age, and suggested that if I wanted to combine journalism and service, a career in law might be a great path for me. She explained all she had been able to accomplish in her law career, and said it was a great way to make a difference. I was so impressed by how much time she was spending with me, showing interest in me, giving advice to me. She was such a “Mom”. It was natural and effortless.
Tractors… tractors… everywhere!Our last stop was a Caterpillar factory. Same routine… Hillary ended up with me again. She asked me about my family and friends and I told her about my brother who was disabled. I bragged about his accomplishments and spoke of his struggles. In that moment I got really choked up. She hugged me and told me she believed the most important thing we can do is make sure those who face challenges are given every opportunity to achieve and become their best. Then she made some sort of dumb Mom joke to lighten the moment, (i don’t remember it), and I laughed. We spent the next 30 or 40 minutes just making small talk. It was delightfully “normal” in every way. Finally it was time to leave the factory and we got separated as we made our ways to our respective cars in the caravan.
Peoria AirportOur last stop was the Peoria Airport where the Clinton campaign was scheduled to take off for their next destination. I was expecting just to wait in the car I was in at the back of the caravan until we made our way back home. Instead of going in the airport when we arrived, Hillary went from car to car to see where I was. When she finally found me, she had me roll down the window and this is what she said to me: “I want you to know I really loved meeting you today. Being on the road campaigning can be so exhausting and so monotonous. But talking to you was one of the highlights of my week. Whatever you choose to do in life, I know you’re going to make a real difference and you give me hope that our future is in the hands of such wonderful young people like you”, Then she squeezed my hand and made her way off into the airport.
THAT is the real Hillary Clinton. The woman filled with warmth and compassion and took the time to talk to a goofy 17 year old boy on the campaign trail. When she became First Lady and the GOP depicted her as a villain, or evil, or conniving, I would always think “No! That’s not her! That’s not Hillary!” I’m sad that false narrative has stuck with her and through repetition, people have accepted it as truth. I think she is more guarded now, as she has been attacked so often. But I still see the wonderful person who stopped to make a difference in the life of a young person. And make a difference she did! Her words always stayed with me, and after a year of college, I changed my major to education and social work and have spent a lifetime in service to improve the lives of others. I often stop to think if that is the path I would have chosen if I hadn’t spent an afternoon with Hillary.
I wonder how many of us are out there...I can’t wait to vote for Hillary in November. She embodies everything I want in a President: compassion, drive, a desire to serve, brains, spirit, humor, energy, and a heart for others. She has proven herself worthy through her work as First Lady, as Senator, and as Secretary of State. If I could talk to Hillary again, I would say “I know you are going to make a real difference and you give me hope that our future is in the hands of a wonderful leader like you! I can’t wait to call you Madame President!”
Thank You All For Taking The Time To Read This--- Jasper