Mr. President.
Your rally tonight in Evansville was over the top great. Thank You!
You talked a lot about employment, I have news with a story.
A young man, a friend, a man adrift, a man who spent some time in jail for a very stupid mistake. A man who upon his release from jail got a job with a fish house driving a truck around the Noreast Coast picking up Blufin Tuna from the boats as they tied up after a trip offshore.
He worked hard and people noticed him.
People started offering him jobs that paid better, had more responsibility.
When the Tuna season ended he was offered a job on a small boat out of Cape Cod catching Conch. I kept watching, listening.
His father, a retired Ma. State Trooper is one of my best friends so I kept an eye on this young man for near 2 years, saying nothing, not a whisper to anyone. I stayed in contact, followed his work in the fishing industry, gauged his strengths.
( I myself was an offshore commercial fisherman for many, many years. )
As time went by I saw that this young man had what it takes.
He was made of the stuff needed to work and prosper in one of the hardest, most demanding, one of the most dangerous industries in the world.
I saw he had a sharp mind, a very strong back and that he had developed a complete love for the Sea.
He was hooked. The Sea will now call to him until hiis bery last breath.
One day, I took this young man to the Docks where the big boys work, the Offshore Commercial Scallop Fleet. I taught him how to talk to the Skippers, kinda showed him the ropes of landing a site. ( job ) I only pointed, explained.
In two shorts weeks a Skipper gave him a shot.
A Highliner Skipper on a boat I fished.
(pic related)
The kind of Skipper and boat where even the Finest Kind dream of working. God is Great!
This young man has just completed his first year offshore ( he is still breaking in ).
He never graduated from High School
Most considered him a lost cause two years ago.
Since you became our President I have seen so many good things happen, people getting jobs, raises, etc etc etc. I could go on and on.
Back to my young friend.
Do you, Mr. President know anyone who is uneducated, a dropout and an ex-con who is averaging over $10,000 a week ( $15,684 his last 9 day trip ) by doing an honest day of back breaking, mind numbing, at times terrifying and one of the most dangerous jobs in this, our Great Republic of the United States?
Probably not.
Few understand what it takes to succeed in this industry.
Well, this young man is.
He has become a beacon of hope for many other young men along this coast. He did what every Fisherman on Cape Cod said could not be done, grt a job on the Federal Boats, the big league. This young did and I am so very proud of him, and you!
He persevered, he put his head down and drove forward, accomplished what near everyone said he could not do. I knew he had it, saw it in his eyes.
Here is the kicker Mr. President, the fleet is crying for new blood.
Boats are leaving the dock short handed.
In my day there were 10 guys on the dock with gear packed praying for a last minute site to become available.
Many here have seen this young mans pic.
On the boat with arms high in the air, fingers spread wearing a green t-shirt and joyously laughing, proclaiming to all of creation how grand life is.
This is one of your success stories Mr. President.
I know, so many know, things like this would not be happening had “she” won.
God Bless Mr. President and from the bottom of my, and my young friends heart with love, thank you Mr. President.
We thank you!