Today I was blessed to meet Bernard W. Richard while I was poll greeting in Upshur County. I wish I could convey the gravity of our meeting. I’m not sure I’ll ever forget it. He is a serious soul, with obvious wisdom. Almost the first thing he said to me was, “If those who bled and died could see [our country] now, they’d be ashamed.” And he had tears in his eyes. Mr. Richard is a Vietnam veteran. He was a mechanic in the Army (just like my grandfather was in Korea). He talked about the horrors of war: sleeping with snakes, rows upon rows of our servicemembers killed in action, the frustrations of repairing engines in near total darkness, and the overwhelming smell of gun powder and blood. He told me about the time he was hit with a mortar and left in a pit of his dead comrades. After his service, Mr. Richard started a non-profit that teaches children how to grow their own food. He told me, “I’ve never met a congressman.” I told him I couldn’t change that for him today, but I gave him my phone number. It would be an honor to call Mr. Richard after Election Day and be the first congressman to meet him. I’d be grateful if you’d help me do that. Early voting ends Friday.