That letter congratulated me on my achievement of Eagle Scout and gave me encouragement in my future endeavors. It meant a lot to me at my Court of Honor a few weeks later ... and I recall it today as its writer has passed away.
Robert C Byrd, Jr. was the senior senator from West Virginia and the longest serving lawmaker in US history.
On the day he wrote my letter, he defeated Sen Ted Kennedy as the Senate Majority Whip (I remembered the event, and being a native of West Virginia was proud of the achievement - so I can go to the history books to find the date, not relying totally on my memory as Sen. Byrd did in reciting poetry, Roman and British history, and personal references). I know it came through his staff, but staffs in 1971 were much smaller than. And it contained some personal comments that were, no doubt, from the senator.
I remembered that letter and today we remember Sen. Byrd.
Sen. Byrd should be remembered as an example of redemption. I'm watching CNN. They've already mentioned "it." We'll read in papers and hear elsewhere that Robert Byrd was a member of the Ku Klux Klan. (He did that as a young man and called it "the albatross he will always wear around my neck.") As a senator, he opposed the appointment of Thurgood Marshall to the Supreme Court and filibusters against the Civil Rights Bill. In years that passed, Sen. Byrd told everyone he was wrong in those instances (and in numerous others). He changed his mind ... he grew ... he corrected what he felt he had done wrong.
Perhaps THAT is what we should remember most and carry forward from the service of Robert Byrd. That you CAN change your mind, you CAN say "I was wrong" ... you CAN ask for forgiveness. That's NOT being wishy-washy. That's growing up (even if you're in your 70's ... 80's ... 90's).
Sen. Byrd was known as the "King of Pork" for his ability to get money funneled to West Virginia. I've heard the figure of $3 Billion in his 50-something years. Having been a disciple of Lloyd Bentsen and Henry Jackson ... "Princes of Pork" during their terms in the House and Senate ... I don't have a problem with that. "Pork" is why the Johnson Space Center is in Houston (and why rockets are launched in FL, researched in VA and AL, and tested in MS). I want MY senators and MY representatives to bring home that "bacon" to Texas. It's why I vote for them (yes, I have crossed party lines to vote for Kay)!!! Robert Byrd knew how to help out the "impoverished and land locked state of West Virginia" better than anyone.
But I remember the senator today, because, years ago, Robert Byrd helped my grandparents. And it involved a letter ... or two.
Neither of them could drive to the post office in Nellis, West Virginia. They'd stop by on Sunday and Wednesday when they went to church, carried by friends or the church bus of the Pilgrim Holiness Church.. They'd get their mail when my school teacher aunts had the chance to bring it to them. But back in the day when letters and the mail were integral forms of communication, when most citizens expected (and even took for granted) daily delivery through "rain or sleet or gloom of night" ... my grandparents were at the mercy of others ... but they were served by THEIR senator.
Sen. Byrd received several letters from my mom regarding the lack of rural delivery in West Virginia, not only to her parents, but a number of others on Brush Creek. I was quite young, but I can remember the day when we put up a shiny silver mail box in front of their house on Boone Co Hwy 1. I'm sure there was a letter from Sen. Byrd in there a time or two as well.
Robert Byrd was Dedicated and Devoted; Complicated and Controversial; a Son and a Servant of the people.
When asked in an interview about all the things in his home state that bore his name ... buildings, highways, bridges, roads ... he said that in the end, that's all nice, but when they opened him up, Robert Byrd hoped all would see "West Virginia" written on his heart and THAT was what was most important to him.
Amen!
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