Dem
47
GOP
53
Today, a reminiscence from S.S. in Weaverville, NC:
My dad served in the 527th Personnel Service Company in Qui Nhon, Vietnam, in 1966-67. Although he'd attended a military college, he enlisted in the Army only because he figured he would be drafted soon anyway. By enlisting he had a little more control over how he served.
He always said he "had it made" in the 527th, processing orders in air-conditioned huts (more for the sake of the sensitive electronics than the personnel). Still, "having it made" was relative to the alternative of jungle combat. One of his close friends was shot in the head by a sniper while eating a hamburger in a truck parked in front of the supply depot (as Dad always told it). No one ever found the sniper. I took a picture of the friend's name on the Wall when I was in D.C. in 2003.
Dad also served as the company's mail clerk. Another of his close friends in the unit often received letters from his fiancée in Toledo, OH, who would sometimes write notes to my dad ("Hi Charlie" or similar) on her envelopes, knowing Dad was a good friend of her fiancé and saw all the incoming mail. Eventually one of her friends in Toledo saw one of these envelopes, asked who Charlie was, and, having been told that my dad was single, decided to write him a letter. They hit it off, became pen pals, and eventually met in person and got married. I suppose I owe my existence to a piece of mail in the Vietnam War for the unlikely introduction of an Ohio X-ray technician to an Army private from Georgia.
My mom died in 2003, and in his later years my dad reconnected with many of his "Army buddies" from the 527th and basic training. Although he came to view American involvement in Vietnam (and many subsequent conflicts) as an avoidable tragedy, he was always proud of his service and felt a strong bond with anyone who served. He was no fan of #45 and his shallow bloviating, and I'm almost glad he didn't live to see #45 return as #47.
Here's a picture of Dad at work in the 527th:
The note on the back indicates they were using Friden Flexowriters in conjunction with a "1005 computer." Perhaps that information will have more meaning for (V) than it does for me!
Thanks, S.S. (Z)
The only current or former governor to win a Democratic caucus or primary since Bill Clinton left office is Howard Dean, who won his home state of Vermont in 2004. The vast majority of wins went to people who were/are U.S. Senators (some of whom were also VPs or First Lady), and the small handful of contests remaining went to mayors (Michael Bloomberg and Pete Buttigieg each won one in 2020) and a general (Wesley Clark won one in 2004). Put another way, in the last 3 decades, 99% of Democratic primaries and caucuses have been won by someone who served as a U.S. Senator at some point in their careers.