Dole had true character, decency

To the editor:

On a day when America was counting dangling and hanging chads, and the recent election was still weeks from being decided, a charter jet of World War II veterans were escorted from Indianapolis to Washington D.C.

The date was Nov. 11, 2000. The event was the official groundbreaking ceremony for the long-delayed World War II Memorial on The National Mall in Washington D.C.

Our delegation of World War II veterans was given the red-carpet treatment — a guided tour of numerous monuments and capital landmarks, leading up to the elaborate groundbreaking ceremony.

It was a beautiful, sunny, warm, autumnal day in the nation’s capital that day. In attendance were President Bill Clinton, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and the guy who really captured the attention and genuine adoration of the gathered World War II veterans there that day, Sen. Bob Dole.

Afterward, our Indiana delegation hosted a reception in a posh Capitol ballroom and Dole came to see our group of Indiana veterans. From the moment he walked in the room and took the time to really talk to us in person, you could really sense the very genuine and palatable love and respect these old guys all felt for Dole.

Being there as an escort and assistant for several of the older World War II veterans, I was honored to be in their presence that day, and meeting Dole was truly an amazing experience. He preferred to be called “Bob” by all of us in that room that evening and was a very warm and charismatic presence in our midst.

Dole was truly far more than a mere politician. Dole, honestly was an elder statesman, and I, for one, fear a man of his true, exemplary character is sorely missing among the “leadership” in our Capitol today.

Dole genuinely was deserving of the title elder statesman. Fair winds and following seas, senator. You will always be remembered with warmth as a man of true character and decency.

Respectfully,

James D Fulks III

Dunkirk