In reflecting about the anniversary of Pearl Harbor yesterday (67 years ago!), and the Village’s incredible turnout to honor 3 survivors yesterday, I was additionally honored to see that General Eric Shinseki has been nominated by President-elect Obama as the new Veterans Affairs leader.

My sister just retired as a Lt. Colonel after 20 years in the U.S. Army.   I am so proud of her service and accomplishments.  Her last position was Deputy Chief of Staff for Walter Reed Army Medical Center.  She was elevated to this position as part of the turnaround team to help improve medical care for our wounded warriors coming back from Iraq and Afgahnistan. 

She saw so much and brought so much to this position.  As she has evolved from military life, she is promised by news like General Shinseki and may be able to help Veterans and the VA like never before.  I am excited to see her become a part of the answers in Washington and she may have that opportunity, now, given the General’s potential appointment, to work in the VA or as part of the new Health/Human Services agency, where her medical background (she is a nurse practioner) could also help change this world.

How are you thinking about helping?  How can we do more at a time that is calling on all of us to contribute more to change education, local government, the environment, etc.?  Let Beth and I know your ideas and how we can help foster and support them with local leaders.

Tonight is our Village Democratic Party meeting.   We are looking forward to attending and meeting other party committeepeople across the neighborhoods of Suffern.  Tonight there will be nominations for Party Chair and Board.  We want to see the future, faster, with the right choices that help this Village find the talent and means to build on the strengths of our Village…for Mayor, for Trustee, for downtown commerce, for growth, for sustainability.

I like this article in Chief Marketer online today.  Some points are worth bringing to the conversation this evening.

http://chiefmarketer.com/disciplines/branding/1125-obama-marketing/index1.html

Tomorrow is one of the most exciting days of 2008.  I cannot believe this day has finally arrived.  After 8 years of George W. Bush and failed economic and foreign policies, we each have the chance to change.Vote; make sure you have all the folks you know in NY and other places vote.  I am very sure this will be a day of unprecedented turnout.  Every vote will count.For offices beyond President/VP, in Rockland County, you will vote for Congress, State Senator, State Assembly and Trustees.  Make your choice count; make sure these people respresent the change you will vote for on Nov 4th for President.  It is critical to have the same enthusiasm and engagement for local office because our neighborhoods and communities need us the most. 

After 2 years of campaigning, it is too exciting to get to this finish line for President.  I know that District 11 will turn out very strong for Obama/Biden.  In a recent Sienna College poll, Obama/Biden lead in NYS polls by 31% over McCain/Palin.  What I am most excited about is the turnout that pollsters and pundits WILL NOT PREDICT on election day.  In a recent article, one writer called this election about the ‘invisible web”.  No one can measure how much effect online organizing, online voter registration and GOTV (get out the vote), online fundraising and online tactics for voter persuasion will have.

I encourage all of us in District 11 to vote.  It is critical to express your opinion and understand how attached you must become to your community and our U.S. ‘community’ in order to effect incredible change.  With the recession, financial market crisis, folks struggling to keep afloat, we have to facilitate more time and energy, together, to make a difference in Suffern, Town of Ramapo and Rockland County.

 -Tara