On the recordOctober 16, 2019
This past weekend I had the honor of being back in my home State in Abilene, Kansas to honor our 34th President's 129th birthday, and to rededicate the newly remodeled Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum. I got to see old friends. I got to play in an old-timers baseball game. I got to hear part of Ike's story through the eyes of his granddaughter, Mary Jean, and his great-grandson, Merrill Atwater. I have had a special connection to this Presidential museum since I was 9 years old when my dad was honored to be part of the honor guard for Ike's funeral procession. Though I have been to the Eisenhower Library and Museum numerous times, I was once again enthralled with Ike's story. I was so impressed with the beautiful new layout and the modernization of the museum. This is, indeed, a great place to take children, to help them learn about the story of America. Ike's story, his words, his Kansas values from over 60 years ago, ring as true today as they did then. Ike, who was born on the wrong side of the track, literally, held hard work and education in the highest regard. He often spoke of his home as the heartland of America. He spoke of the value of being part of a community and a humble lifestyle. Ike was a visionary in many ways. He is now credited as being one of the top five Presidents in American history, and perhaps one of the greatest commanding generals of all time. He started the fight for civil rights.…
