A Citizen’s Note of Appreciation

* Born and raised in Orange County, I briefly visited Washington, D.C., for two days in 1970 as part of an educational tour of the nation with a bunch of United Methodist kids on a Greyhound bus.

At that time I was concerned with all the other distractions of an antiwar, ‘60s-era college kid. I was “against the establishment” and had little time or desire to ponder the essence of the American experiment.

Now, pardon the expression, I am a businessman. Father of two sons, 18 and 20. Married for 22 years. Last month I was in Washington for the first time in 28 years--this time for business. I was fortunate to have my spouse accompany me. We arrived in the city the evening of July 17 in the midst of a stifling heat wave.

It was after dinner and on the way back to our hotel that we were so suddenly, so emotionally moved by the foundation of self-government set by our forefathers very long ago.

Facing the same Capitol building east entrance used by gunman Russell Weston July 24 was a complete military orchestra in full dress, performing a variety of popular and classic pieces.

Nancy and I supposed some dignitary or special interest group was being honored by Congress. As we moved closer we could see a number of tourists and locals sitting on the Capitol steps and lounging on the Capitol lawn enjoying the music, the evening and each other. The orchestra was present for no other reason than the pleasure of the people.

Throughout human history and in most parts of the world today, the military exists in large degree to coerce the people into obedience. And here we sat, lounging on the grass at the steps of the Capitol, children playing hide-and-seek among the stately columns, puppies frolicking, people from all over enjoying the music, each other and their freedom.

At that moment I was struck by the unique and preciously open nature of our system of government. We shared the sense that this is surely our Capitol, our nation, our government. The nebulous “they” disappeared, and my own awesome responsibility as a participant in our process was reborn.

I pledge I will not allow the gunman Russell E. Weston Jr. to dampen my dream of freedom, liberty and justice for all, within the context of an open and accessible system of government.

MIKE MITCHELL

Orange