By Lori Jaffe
Over the course of history, we have seen ordinary human beings take on difficult tasks, often facing adversity and then achieve success. We owe our freedom to such people. Having just celebrated Thanksgiving, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for those Americans past and present who have persevered through challenging times. Some of them are our local volunteers who turned an idea into a reality. All have a role to play, whether large or small. All faced challenges of varying degree.
As Calvin Coolidge once said, “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On!' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
We are gaining ground little by little. It has been this way since the founding of our country. People just doing whatever they can to make a difference. During the Revolutionary War, some women served as spies while performing their daily chores. Nowadays our volunteers door knock and make phone calls. Many times, our local Republicans have had to brave the elements, and rejection but they persevered. So many women and men have helped in some capacity, and we thank you!
When it comes to persistently pushing the envelope here in Montgomery County, we think of the Committee for Better Government, the Montgomery County Republican Central Committee, the women’s Republican clubs and the many volunteers who helped them. Thanks to their efforts, we have limited County Executive Marc Elrich to two terms. Thank you!
Montgomery Republican Women’s Club door knocking for 2T
We remember the late Diana Waterman, former Maryland Republican Party Chair, former Maryland Federation of Republican Women President, a great leader and friend, who fought for our cause for many years. Her determination was an inspiration to all Maryland Republicans. Thank you, Diana!
Our current Vice President-Elect persevered through a very difficult childhood. If it had not been for his “Mamaw” threatening to run his drug-dealing friend over with her vehicle, JD Vance may not be where he is today. JD called her his “guardian angel.” Kudos to Bonnie Blanton Vance and to JD!
Former President Reagan also had a tough childhood, due to his father’s alcoholism. But Reagan’s mother persevered and helped her son to believe in himself. Kudos to Nelle Wilson Reagan!
Later, when John Hinckley Jr. tried to take his life, President Reagan would downplay his life-threatening injury. “The president was shot in the left lung, and the .22 caliber bullet just missed his heart. In an impressive feat for a 70-year-old man with a collapsed lung, he walked into George Washington University Hospital under his own power. As he was treated and prepared for surgery, he was in good spirits and quipped to his wife, Nancy, ‘Honey, I forgot to duck,’ and to his surgeons, ‘Please tell me you’re Republicans.’” We admire his courage and determination.
Of course, we laud our former and future President Donald Trump. Not only has he persevered though many legal and political battles, he has had to “fight, fight, fight” against physical attacks as well. Our 45th President has had to endure much more than most people. Yet, he quips that he has had more indictments than Al Capone and wonders what his father would say.
We are so thankful to have such determined and resilient role models. God bless them all! If you would like to become a Republican volunteer and follow in the footsteps of these remarkable men and women, please contact Lori Jaffe at [email protected]. Thank you!
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Lori Jaffe is the Party Secretary for the Montgomery County Republican Central Committee, volunteer coordinator and Member of the Executive Board. She can be reached at [email protected].
