Be thankful for Palin

Yesterday I saw Gov. Sarah Palin for the first time in real life. The Clearwater, Fla., campaign rally was packed with thousands of cheering people. Being handicapped, I was placed right at the podium and could see her up close. She is genuine, the real thing. You folks in Alaska are blessed to have her representing Alaska.

I had never wanted to visit Alaska, but now I do. The media has always shown pretty pictures of Alaska , but the stories are always sort-of negative and focus on crime and isolation of the people. The media has always made Alaska seem like a forbidding, dangerous place full of lawless people.

But now the focus has been on this beautiful, articulate, intelligent lady and the real people of Alaska. I am anxious to make a trip to Alaska.

Yesterday in Clearwater Governor Palin paused in her speech and asked all the military veterans to raise their hands. Hundreds of hands went up, mostly older men like my husband. Then the crowd cheered for them. No one ever thanked my husband for his 22 years of service to his country. I saw tears in his eyes. He had on his “Navy Retiree” ball cap, and after the rally was over and we were leaving, many people came up and shook my husband’s hand and thanked him and said “God bless you.”

That meant a lot. Thank you for recognizing those who received no thanks during the 1970s. Alaskans, no matter what your politics, you should be thankful for this courageous, patriotic woman and let the world know you’re proud. I sure am.

Linda Lawson

Tarpon Springs, Fla.