I attended the Hackett event today at the Blue Ash Veterans' Memorial Park.  I spoke with many people, took audio of the event, and wrote observations.  I'm not sure how these notes will cohere into a Citybeat article, but I will write a basic summary or personal narrative of what happened.

The event began a little after 1:00, though I thought that it began at 12:00, as did many others.  By the time the event got rolling, nearly everyone had been roasting under the Cincinnati sun for a considerable time and had sweat stains to show for it.  Luckily, the campaign supplied plenty of bottled water.  Still, the heat proved too much for some.  One woman with an infant succumbed to the sweltering heat and disappointedly had to leave before the beginning of the event.  The roughly twenty veterans in attendance, most of them elderly, seemed comfortable.  They sat in folded chairs and had intelligently decided to wear hats.    

The rest of the crowd consisted of enthusiastic Hackett volunteers and a considerable press presence.  Excluding the veterans, volunteers, and press, the actual amount of curious spectators was sparse.  One could argue that Max Cleland, the man who introduced our presidential nominee at the Democratic National Convention, deserved a bigger audience.  Or perhaps the palpable reverence among the crowd in of itself justified the Senator's presence.  

Before getting into the event itself, let me just say the following: my understanding and appreciation for Paul Hackett's service in Iraq up to this point has been (rightfully or wrongfully) influenced by my opposition to the War and my opposition to Hackett's stance on the War.  Today, I moved no closer to agreeing with Hackett on the direction that our country must take in ending this quagmire, but I feel as though the ceremony expanded my understanding of the service granted by Hackett and by veterans at large.  

Suzi Hackett, Paul's wife, opened the event by recalling the moment when she and her husband were reunited in the airport after his tour of duty.  The sincerity of her words vividly captured the immediacy of the moment.  I began to think about my 22-year old brother and the emotions I'd feel if he served in Iraq and how we would reunite after he returned from a tour of duty.  Or if he didn't return at all.  The universality for military families of that fear, the relief of that fear, or the realization of that fear, struck me with particular emotional force.

A tall and impressive ER doctor, Major David Grundie spoke.  He served with Hackett for seven months in Iraq as an emergency doctor.  Humble and intelligent, he expressed his fondness for Hackett and stated that Hackett "did his duty" in Iraq. When Grundie announced that he is going back to Iraq in two days for his second Tour of Duty, my first, uncensored thought was "I really don't want him to die.  Please don't let him die."  I suppose it's crude that I share that sentiment, but that is how I felt when faced with the living, breathing embodiment of what I have too fluently come to know as a statistic or a potential statistic.  

Finally, Max Cleland took the mic.  For those who are unfamiliar, Cleland is the former Senator of Georgia.  In 2002, his Republican opponent launched television ads that compared the Senator to Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden because he criticized the War.  Of all the right-wing smear campaigns this one was perhaps the cruelest- the most hideous and inconceivable given Cleland's heroism and sacrifice. He served in Vietnam where he lost three limbs and earned a bronze star and silver star.  Yet the ads ostensibly worked because Cleland lost the election.  Despite no longer holding office, Cleland campaigned heavily for John Kerry and introduced Kerry at the Democratic National Convention, highlighting the candidate's service in Vietnam.

Cleland's speech was energetic, brief, and unpretentious.  In his slight southern drawl, he admitted that he had only met Hackett a few moments prior but connected on the basis of their shared military service.  Cleland discussed patriotism in broad language, referencing his heroes, Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson.  He borrowed a favorite maxim from the latter: "One man with courage is a majority."  Cleland ignited laughter from the audience several times, especially when he made a joke about Coingate.  The crowd interrupted Cleland with applause throughout before finally standing in ovation.  

Paul Hackett then gave his speech.  He was considerably more subdued than at the debate- better mic technique and less "damns" and "hells."  He explained his "Boots on the Ground Bill of Rights"- the first bill he would propose if elected to Congress.  This would-be bill calls for "the basic nuts and bolts equipment" such as night-vision gear, armor on Humvees, and scopes on rifles.  Referring to the latter item, he distastefully quipped that hitting the target is his "version of gun control."  Hackett argued that the funding of this equipment and a balanced budget are not mutually exclusive.  He said something to the effect of: "Look, I'm a small businessman.  I have a balanced budget," applying the straight-talk that was so winning at the debate.  He suggested that the US conserve funds by halting the funding to "terrorist regimes" like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.  

Hackett also tactfully recognized a few people in attendance.  He honored Ryan Petit, a young Iraqi War Vet with whom he served.  Hackett provided a glimpse into their history when he joked that he's used to calling Petit "Lance Corporal."  Petit, who looks all of 16, somewhat shyly smiled back at his superior.  Hackett also pointed out Alfred Katz, the write-in Democratic primary candidate.  Katz left college to serve in World War II, and Hackett used him as an example of how the government should work harder to recruit young men and women from all socioeconomic walks of life- not just the poor and those without college educations.  

After the speech, Hackett and Cleland mingled.  Veterans came up to both men and the sincerity of their greetings was matched only by the sincerity of Hackett and Cleland's responses.  This gathering of veterans had fought in different wars for different reasons in different generations.  And yet the respect and happiness at shared experience was as palpable as the humid air.  I had the unique privilege of meeting Cleland.  I reached my hand and shook his hand.  He said "Come here honey" and we hugged each other.  "God bless you" he warmly said.  "God bless you sir," I said, and I really meant it.