public:cb_mirror:a_father_s_inspiration_98_years_in_history_txt_blogposts_11202
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A Father's Inspiration: 98 Years in History
My father impressed in me the same values that Convention of States endeavors to apply to our government.
Turning 99 in just three months, my father Marvin Thomas is still a reader of history. It has always been his genre of choice.  An architect by career who worked into his 80s, one of his favorite projects was the renovation of the Pottawatomie Baptist Mission in Topeka, Kansas, where he became good friends with the state archaeologist. My father worked long hours in his private practice, but his few avocations were reading about U.S. history, landscape painting (often of historical sites including the mission), and compiling a detailed genealogy of both sides of our family.  Pottawatomie Baptist Mission Dad’s influence on my life has been tremendous. Family vacations always included stops at historic sites. Continuing this practice, my children have endured endless visits to re-creations, reenactments, historic buildings, national monuments, and museums. I also enjoy reading history and watching historic documentaries. My nephew and I are now in the process of combining the genealogical stories Dad composed with photographs into a comprehensive and electronic format, so that our family history will always be preserved. This devotion to preservation also came from my father: preservation of our nation’s history and natural wonders and preservation of the Constitution and our republic. It is with that obligation that I joined the Convention of States movement. I have voted in each election. I promoted National History Day and We the People with my students. Never, though, had I been politically active, until this election. I have never been so concerned as 2020 about the direction of our country based on those we elect to public office. I felt compelled to do what I could to promote American values and a return to moral, fiscal responsibility. I was good-naturedly shamed by Chris Del Conte–a COS District Captain–who was performing some house renovations for us last July. We discussed political views, but he asked what I was doing to make sure that we elect those who feel the same. He invited me to join a county committee. Yes, a one-to-one invitation is the most powerful recruitment tool. Soon, I checked out the Convention of States website and was impressed by those who were endorsing the movement. I felt confident that this was a valid and active organization. Next, I attended a committee meeting and then participated in a Patriot Rally where I met Katherine Del Conte, who led me over to the COS table. There was no question that I would sign the petition.  My father impressed in me the desire for honor, personal responsibility, a strong work ethic, devotion to those people and things we hold dear, and honesty. These are the same values that COS is endeavoring to apply to our government. My father was once interviewed for a state architectural project and was promised the job. As he was leaving the meeting, the governor’s aide asked Dad how much of a contribution to the political campaign he could count on from their firm. Dad said, “Not a damn thing.” He would not pay an influence bribe in order to obtain a job. That is the integrity we need in those who serve for us from the most local to the highest national position. I believe that COS may be the last bastion for preserving what our Founding Fathers established over 200 years ago. As attributed to Benjamin Franklin, we have a republic “if we can keep it.” I have six grandchildren. I want them to live in a world that is neither bankrupt financially nor virtuously. # | LEADER_POSITION_FORM{leader_position:volunteer_activist} | # |
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| Created: | 2020-12-15 21:40 GMT |
| Updated: | 2025-02-19 02:26 GMT |
| Published: | 2020-12-21 05:00 GMT |
| Converted: | 2025-11-11 11:57 GMT |
| Change Author: | Suzanne Mcpherson |
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