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Booker’s Magic: Hope, Inspiration and Service

Thursday, October 25th, 2012

Cory Booker’s Magic: Hope, Inspiration and Service

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2012
Mussari-Loftus Associates
All Rights Reserved
The Face of America Project
faceofamericawps.com

Mr. Booker, born April 27, 1969, is still the energetic youngster, full of optimism and eloquence. New York Times

The Man

Cory Booker’s magic is deeply rooted in his optimism, his faith, his willingness to serve, his courage to get out of bed on those days when it would be more comfortable to hide his head under his pillow.

Booker is a man of dreams, a man of hope, a man of possibilities, and a man of vision.

Where cynics see an ugly empty lot, he envisions an urban garden.

When the “Henny Pennys” of his city see the markings of gloom and doom written on the walls of deteriorating buildings, he finds a way to convert the decaying structures into buildings with a purpose.

Energized and inspired by people like Mrs. Virginia Jones, affectionately known as the tenant lady with an indefatigable will and a determination to serve others, the big man, with the big brain and the infectious smile goes about the business of turning Newark around one problem at a time.

On this October weekend, he was in our hometown to share his message at the Dorothy Dixon Darte Center for the Performing Arts on the Wilkes University campus. The occasion was the 31st Annual Max Rosenn Lecture in Law and Humanities.

The event began with polite applause. It ended with a standing ovation. Everything in between was a kind of poetry that reflected the light of Cory Booker’s heart of gold, and his infectious enthusiasm for his family, his friends, his city, and his country

The Message

What follows here are 20 starred thoughts from Cory Booker’s Rosenn Lecture. They are taken from the 16 pages of notes I took during his presentation:

1. Sometimes you are on the go, and you forget to be in the present;

2. Children are never good at listening to their parents, but they are never shy about imitating them; (Quoting James Baldwin)

3. Anybody can be great in a moment, but real greatness is found in people who get up every day and perform consistent acts of goodness, decency and kindness;

4. My grandfather told us to fall in love with America;

5. Look at the night and see the stars. Remember that light, energy and brilliance cannot be destroyed;

6. The common way people give up their power is by not realizing they have it; (Quoting Alice Walker)

7. I am an American. I have privileges and obligations;

8. The world you see outside you is the world you see inside you;

9. Power is a vision…an oasis of hope and an island of possibility;

10. We have a choice between power and surrender;

11. We have a choice to show up and not be distracted;

12. The greatest disease is sedentary agitation;

13. Even when there was no you, this woman (Mrs. Virginia Jones) fought for you. This woman worked for you;

14. You are the physical manifestation of an act of love;

15. If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together; (African proverb)

16. We are all caught in an inescapable fabric of destiny;

17. We need light from goodness and kindness;

18. We must not get into the cynicism of negativity. We must come together and give testimony to the achievement of the possible;

19. We have a terrible way of dealing with problems. We will pay $100 on the back end to fix them, but we refuse to pay a few dollars on the front end to prevent them;

20. Show me a problem in America, and I can find an innovative program to fix it.

Mayor Booker’s ideas are hopeful and positive. His credentials are impeccable, Stanford, Oxford University and Yale Law School. His leadership style is welcoming, personal and hands on. His energy levels rival Vesuvius.

He has known both success and failure, and he interprets criticism as an opportunity to learn.

Watching him tell his story, I got the impression that he is confident yet humble, compassionate not confrontational, hopeful not cynical. He has a great sense of humor, and most of the jokes he tells are self-deprecating.

He is a grateful man. Throughout his presentation he thanked others for the opportunities he had had and his successes. Again and again, he mentioned the incredible contribution of his parents and his grandfather. Quite frankly, I admire that quality.

Kitch and I had three interactions with the mayor. The first time he was gracious when we asked him if he would have his picture taken with Attorney Joe Savitz. The second time he honored a request to have his picture taken with Kitch. The third time was the most insightful moment. It happened at the end of his lecture. I raised my hand to ask a question and he acknowledged my request. Then someone in his entourage gave him the sign to end the presentation.

He walked across the stage to align himself with the place where I was standing, and he announced to the audience that this would be the final question. Then with a big smile on his face he looked at me and said, the pressure is on you sir. This is the last question.

The essence of my question was about the importance of education in the Booker formula for reclaiming our country’s future.

When I finished he surprised me and everyone in the room with words that went something like this: Thank you and God bless you sir for asking that question.

The sweet sound of spontaneous applause filled the room, and Mayor Cory Booker went into overdrive.

Once again, he told his story in a personal. non-partisan, non-inflammatory, thoughtful way. Using data from a McKinsey research report, he divided schools into two categories; those that serve students with a high level of education, and schools that do not offer students a high level of education. He was very specific about the responsibility we have to educate all of our children. He openly admitted that he is a big advocate of charter schools and mentoring programs. On the issue of faith based education, he was candid. “I don’t care how you pray, I care how you serve.”

Most impressive was his reluctance to make teachers scapegoats.

The last words recorded in my notes to come out of Cory Booker’s mouth came straight from his heart. In the end, what matters most is what you do for other people.

Pulitzer Prize winner Ernest Becker believed that man is driven by an essential dualism. He needs to be a part of something and to stick out. He has a burning desire to count for something. I think that’s an insight into Cory Booker the man, the mayor and the motivator. He is an example of good, a force for change and a model of participation.

As I left the Dorothy Dixon Darte Center, I thought to myself, every America city has at least one and perhaps several Cory Bookers. If we want a better future for our country, we need to find Mayor Booker’s male and female counterparts and partner them with the Virginia Jones of our world. That’s what America at its very best is, and that’s what the face of America is on its best day.

The Annual Max Rosenn Lecture in Law and Humanities is a first class community event. Mayor Cory Booker and his message of hope, inspiration and service lived up to that tradition. It honored the legacy of Judge Max Rosenn who believed that elected officials must maintain a high standard of responsibility and service to the citizns they represent.

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tony.mussari@gmail.com


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Catonsville Redux: One Day in October

Wednesday, October 24th, 2012

Catonsville Redux: One Day in October

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2012
Mussari-Loftus Associates
All Rights Reserved
The Face of America Project
faceofamericawps.com

Fellowship is heaven, and lack of fellowship is hell; fellowship is life, and lack of fellowship is death; and the deeds that ye do upon the earth, it is for fellowship’s sake ye do them. William Morris

Context

The Catonsville campus of the Community College of Baltimore is an impressive place. The buildings and grounds are immaculately kept. The hallways and classrooms are filled with students of all ages who want to improve their status in life.

Dr. Rick Ostopowicz is a thoughtful man. People respect him. He is acaring, competent, creative teacher. That being said, he is no pushover in the classroom. He has high expectations for his students, and virtually all of his students respond accordingly.

Many years ago, Rick and I had one of those teaching moments that, in my opinion, was necessary, but not necessarily pleasant for the student. It could have gone either way. Fortunately, Rick had then, as he does now, a desire to learn and grow. Consequently, the outcome was positive, productive, and professionally rewarding.

Fast forward 20 years. Rick is a devoted husband, a loving father, a successful new media manager, and an Adjunct Professor at Community College of Baltimore County. Every semester he invites me to give a guest lecture in one of his courses. It’s something I look forward to with great anticipation.

One Day in October 1960

On this night, I screened a documentary Kitch and I produced almost a decade ago. It focused on one day of the 1960 presidential campaign of John F. Kennedy. It was designed to preserve the record of that day in October when Senator John F. Kennedy campaigned in Northeastern Pennsylvania. We used the day as the canvas for a painting about the man, the moment, and the magic of that time in our history.

The documentary is not a political polemic or an advertisement for a particular political party. On the contrary, it is about how the candidate made millions of young people look at themselves, their potential, and their responsibilities in a new way. One Day in October 1960 is a story about a campaign visit, but it is also a story about courage, conviction, and hope. It is an attempt to help the viewer better understand Kennedy’s message that each of us, in our own way, can make a difference and public service is a noble profession.

To accomplish this, we take the viewer beyond the geographic confines of the Pennsylvania towns Senator Kennedy visited in 1960. We give them a glimpse of election evening, the inauguration, and how those events played in the hearts and minds of people who were there.

We take them into the White House during the CBS News production with Jacqueline Kennedy. We introduce them to the Civil Rights Movement and we take them to the famous speech President Kennedy made to Peace Corps volunteers. That enabled us to include Thomas Scanlon’s “Waiting for the Snow” story.

As historian Dr. Michael MacDowell, President of Misericordia University, said toward the end of the film, Kennedy’s message has relevance today.

I felt that way more than half a century ago, and I hoped the students in Dr. O’s class would feel that way after they watched the documentary. I wasn’t disappointed.

Feedback

During the Q&A after the film, students asked thoughtful questions, and they offered insights that I was delighted to hear. They liked the message. They related to the call to public service. They wanted to know more about the process of documentary filmmaking. One student asked about scheduling interviews. How do you find and select the people? Another student questioned the placement of a famous picture of Dr. Martin Luther King.

After the Q&A period, I showed the class a six minute trailer for our latest documentary, Walking Into the Light at Gettysburg. It was well received.

Before the class ended, everyone participated in a one minute drill. It’s a device I used in every one of my classes to determine what, if anything, students learned in the class. The drill is very simple in design. Every student must stand and express in a minute or less what was learned during the class.

A student named Tricia and another student named Sara enthusiastically talked about how the film and the class discussion opened their eyes to the possibility that they could make a difference in the lives of the people they met. During the class, Tricia’s body language spoke to her total involvement in the class. Whenever I needed reinforcement, I made eye contact with Tricia.

A very tall young man named Joseph stood and proudly proclaimed that he was resolved to make a difference in his life by finishing his education. Joseph is the student who took the discussion of the film to a higher level with his questions about content and production values. He is a personable young man with a winning smile.

A soft spoken and youthful looking student named Matthew stood and told the class about his successful battle with cancer, and how the values in the film reinforced his determination to move forward with his life.

An adult student named Alex talked about the energy and inspiration he got from the people he saw in the film. Alex recently had successful knee surgery. He will have surgery for spinal stenosis in December, which he postponed so that he could finish the current semester in good standing.

The heartfelt comments of Matthew and Alex created one of the most beautiful moments I have ever experienced in a classroom.

All of the other students spoke. Unfortunately, I was so involved in the class and what was happening that I did not take notes.

At one point, I was unsuccessful in an attempt to point out the power of body language and the need for an open, receptive mind in learning situations.

I remember the student who wants to become a musician, and the young woman of faith who shared a biblical interpretation of her experience.

I was honored to be in the presence of a retired Army photographer who offered positive comments about his experience while he watched the film, and another student who is a career learner that had vivid memories of the 1960 presidential campaign.

One of the last people to speak was a student named Rachel. She greeted me at the door with a picture she took the last time I was at the college. It was a great gift because it made me feel welcome. She addressed the ways she was inspired by the film and the class discussion. She told me privately she has every intention of finishing her education either in Maryland or New York.

Richard Morris is right, “Fellowship is heaven.” It is central to community, and that’s what learning is all about. It is as much about cultivating a spirit of fellowship as it is mastering material for a test. It is all about the genuine exchange of ideas. It is about open minds and open hearts. The classroom is a place where students can stretch their imagination and shrink their egos. It’s a place where a young teacher and an old teacher can come together to offer students two different styles and one unified purpose.

In the end, America at its best is America learning, growing and thinking with discipline, empathy and understanding. Americans learn when teachers have the opportunity to be themselves, give of themselves, and share what they know in a community of learners. Content, knowledge, and the ability to transmit information are all important. There is however, another ingredient that is essential. It was best described by Teacher of the Year Rebecca Mieliwocki. Teachers must have infectious enthusiasm for students.

I would add that it helps when students have infectious enthusiasm for learning.

That’s the atmosphere Dr. O and his students created when they gave an old teacher a new classroom for one night in October 2012.

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tony.mussari@gmail.com

 

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Lost and Found in Maryland

Wednesday, October 24th, 2012

Lost and Found in Maryland

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2012
Mussari-Loftus Associates
All Rights Reserved
The Face of America Project
faceofamericawps.com

"It is not until we are lost that we begin to understand ourselves" Henry David Thoreau

Lost

I was on my way to Catonsville, Maryland, by way of the Baltimore Pike in Gettysburg. It was a beautiful fall afternoon, and I was alone with my thoughts and at peace with myself.

Following the directions I was given by two people who had driven this road many times, my goal was to successfully reach the red, white and blue road sign I-695 West. At that point I had specific instructions on how to reach my destination.

Unfortunately, I could not find the sign for the bypass around Baltimore, and I ended up in the parking lot of Koons Ford on Security Avenue in Baltimore.

I parked my Toyota Prius where it would not be too conspicuous, and I made my way to the showroom. As I approached the front door, I took a deep breath, and I said to myself, “I hope this is a pleasant experience.”

To my surprise and great delight it was one of the best experiences on a day that fit the description, “Practically perfect in every way.”

Found

Shortly after I entered, a gentleman in a suit and tie asked if he could help me.

I told him I was hopelessly lost.

He replied, “Aren’t we all?”

I explained my situation, and out of nowhere a woman with a welcoming smile appeared.

“I think I can help you. Where do you want to go?”

I gave her the information and she disappeared behind a computer to search for directions.

While I was waiting, a young man walked into the reception area. He introduced himself, and we engaged in a conversation that included the who, what, when, where and why of my trip. When I told him I lived in Pennsylvania, a broad smile filled his face.

That’s where I’m from. Then the improbable happened. The town of his birth and the university he attended are less than an hour away from my home.

The woman at the computer lifted her head, and exclaimed, “I found it. I’ll print out the directions.”

The young man showed me how I could use the road in the dealership to get to a traffic light that would guarantee my safety when crossing Security Boulevard.

In that place at that time, I felt a sense of community that is hard to describe. We were strangers. There was no commercial advantage in what they were doing, nor was there any likelihood that we would ever see one another again. Nevertheless, they did everything they could to help me.

The kindness of Alona Holland and Matt Stoudt spoke to the goodness of their hearts. It spoke to a kind of service that expects nothing in return.

When I asked them if I could take a picture of them, they did not hesitate to say yes. We exchanged contact information so I could send them a copy of the picture.

Recently, I was asked a simple question: “What is this face of America you are looking for?”

My answer brought a look of disbelief from the person who asked the question.

It’s not a picture of any one person. It’s a mosaic of many people who reflect the spirit of our country at its best. It’s many things, but belonging, kindness and service are always at the top of the list that distinguishes America and Americans. It’s making people feel comfortable. It’s affirming their work, encouraging them, helping them succeed, embracing their differences and expressing gratitude for their contributions and sacrifices. It’s about providing opportunities and reconciling differences peacefully.

To paraphrase something I heard Medal of Honor recipient Barney Barnum say earlier in the day, The face of America on its best day is an “us” face not a “me” face. It’s a giving face not a taking face. It’s a kind face not a cruel face.

That’s exactly what I saw at Koons Ford in the classroom of Business Development Officer Alona Holland and Sales Consultant Matt Stoudt. They are the face of America on its best day, and I was so fortunate to be lost and found in their presence.

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tony.mussari@gmail.com


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Heroes without Headlines, Gettysburg, 2012

Sunday, October 21st, 2012

Heroes without Headlines, Gettysburg, 2012

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2012
Mussari-Loftus Associates
All Rights Reserved
The Face of America Project
faceofamericawps.com

"Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure" Abraham Lincoln

Flag of Honor

The headline in the Gettysburg Times read, “Flies with honor.”

The accompanying picture recorded the moment, shortly before noon, when Barney Barnum and Brian Thacker raised the light blue flag with the impressive emblem under the Stars and Stripes in Lincoln Square on October 17, 2012.

For the people who came to witness this event, it was a very significant moment.

Barnum and Thacker are Medal of Honor recipients. The flag is the simple, but elegant, Medal of Honor flag.

The occasion was a celebration. The Medal of Honor Convention will be held in Gettysburg next September, the place where 63 Medals of Honor were earned in the battle that changed the course of the Civil War.

The flag will fly high above Lincoln Square for one year as a symbol of courage, honor, hope, respect and service.

The flag raising was the highlight of an inspiring ceremony that helped people better understand the Medal of Honor, the veterans who earned it and everything it symbolizes.

For me, it was the beginning of a day, I will never forget.

Serendipity

I did not know about the event when I arrived in Gettysburg on Tuesday, October 16.  My mind was focused on the seven meetings, I had arranged to finalize plans for the premiere of our documentary, Walking Into the Light at Gettysburg.  I was on my way to a meeting at the Convention and Visitors Bureau when I literally bumped it to a very pleasant man on Steinwehr Ave.

I was lost. When I asked him for directions to Middle Street, he took the time to respond in detail. Before we knew it, we were engaged in a wonderful conversation about his work as a photographer and my mission to get the word out about our project.

Del Hilbert is a welcoming person, a kind person, a thoughtful person and a person of faith. He invited me to visit his studio. I accepted, and he put a coin in the parking meter.  That unexpected act of kindness established the foundation and tone of our emerging friendship. We talked about our interests and one of our mutual friends, Frank Orlando, aka General Robert E. Lee. Del gave me one of the pictures he took of Frank, and he invited me to join him on Wednesday morning at the circle by the David Wills House, the home where President Lincoln was a guest during his visit to Gettysburg in November 1863.

A Unique Face of America Moment

Wednesday, October 17, was a magnificent autumn day. When I arrived at the circle, I did not know what to expect.

A crowd was building. The mood was festive, but reserved.  People were talking in hushed tones.  Wherever one looked something was happening.

Two bright yellow school vans transporting 14 members of the Gettysburg High School Band were being parked adjacent to the Gettysburg Hotel.

Junior ROTC students,Emma Bahm, Gabrielle Minor, John Tully and Aaron Scruggs were taking their places under the watchful eye of Thomas A Bores, SFC, U.S. Army retired. 

An Honor Guard was forming, Gettysburg’s Mayor, William Troxell, was greeting people with a smile and a firm handshake.

A pleasant young woman named Ashley greeted everyone with her radiant smile as she distributed folders containing information about the event and the Medal of Honor Society.

An incredibly talented senior executive from the Webster Group, AJ Bowanas, helped people make connections. Kristen Holland, Project Manager for the Congressional Medal of Honor Convention in Gettysburg, attended to last minute details with great dignity.

Carl Whitehall, Media Relations Manager, for the Gettysburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, greeted old friends like Frank and Bonnie Orlando and Pastor Steve Herr.

Then it happened, two men appeared to my left. They were quietly and politely shaking hands with people as they made their way toward the platform where the program would take place. I watched them with great interest. It was the first time I had ever seen a Medal of Honor recipient. In fact, it was the first time I had seen a person wearing a Medal of Honor.

Suddenly I was face to face with Brian Thacker. He was dressed in a blue sport coat and grey dress pants. He was not as tall as I had imagined he would be. Without the medal he was wearing, one could easily misidentify him as a business executive.  He was more reserved than I expected, and he was more generous with his time than I expected.

On March 31, 1971, he earned the Medal of Honor because he was a leader who displayed no thought for himself as he worked courageously and effectively in the face of unimaginable danger to guarantee the safety of others. He was the person who survived eight days in the jungle of Vietnam without food or water. He was the junior officer who years later told a reporter, “I was afraid. Yet fear is a wonderful motivator. It sharpens your brain and then your only objective is to survive.”

When my moment came, all I could do was look him in the eye and say these words, “Thank you for your service to America.”

His response was polite and grateful.

A few minutes later, I found myself in a similar situation with Barney Barnum. He is smaller than I thought he would be. In my mind, he is a giant for what he did and the way he did it.

Barnum is a man with a perpetual smile on his face. Without the gold medal with the blue ribbon hanging from his neck, you would think he is everyone’s favorite grandfather. When you are in his presence the feeling of awe is palpable, but his smile puts you at ease. 

His moment came on December 18, 1965. Like all Medal of Honor recipients in the face of danger, he acted with complete disregard for his own safety. He took the initiative. He gave encouragement. He assumed a leadership position. What he did is best described in his citation:

“His sound and swift decisions and his obvious calm served to stabilize the badly decimated units and his gallant example as he stood exposed repeatedly to point out targets served as an inspiration to all. Provided with two armed helicopters, he moved fearlessly through enemy fire to control the air attack against the firmly entrenched enemy while skillfully directing one platoon in a successful counterattack in the key enemy positions. Having thus cleared a small area, he requested and directed the landing of two transport helicopters for the evacuation of the dead and wounded. He then assisted in the mopping up and final seizure of the battalion’s objective.”

When I met Barney Barnum, I offered my expression of gratitude. He responded with a smile, a warm handshake and the words, “Thank you so much.”

After that moment, time passed quickly.

Dressed in their Army of the Potomac uniforms and directed by David Conklin, the high school musicians played popular selections from the Civil War.

Robert J. Monahan, Jr., President and CEO of the Congressional Medal of Honor Convention in Gettysburg, began the program with a well-crafted welcome.

The Gettysburg Area High School Army JROTC Cadets recited the Pledge of Allegiance with conviction and passion.

Pastor Steve Herr delivered his invocation with feeling and grace. The concluding three sentences of his prayer touched the hearts of everyone in the crowd:

“Finally, Lord we also pray for peace among all peoples. For peace in our hearts and minds, among our citizens, and among nations. We pray that you would inspire us with the courage to devote our lives to serving our fellow citizens and caring for your people.”

Without warning, the most instructive moment of the ceremony happened. Mayor Troxell came to the podium to offer remarks. For some reason, the microphone moved and he could not be heard.

Without hesitation, Barney Barnum stealthfully made his way to the mike stand. He dislodged the mike from its holder, and he stood next to the mayor holding the microphone in just the right place so that everyone in the audience could hear what he was saying.

That act, that moment, that rescue spoke volumes about Barnum, his values and his medal. Just as he had done in a much more dangerous circumstance in Vietnam all those years ago, his instinctive sense of service to others took over.  He forgot about his role as a distinguished guest. He dismissed his personal comfort. He rushed in to help the mayor and everyone else.

In that moment, with that act, he exemplified why he is the personification of America at its best. His action sent a powerful message to everyone assembled in Lincoln Square. Service to others, kindness to others, helping others and caring about the success of others is central to America at its best.

Shortly before I left Lincoln Square, I noticed a TV cameraman setting up a shot for an interview with Barney Barnum. When I reached the location, I took a picture of the man who saved the moment for the mayor. Then I positioned myself in a place where we could make eye contact. The words I spoke to this unassuming hero came straight from my heart, “You are an American treasure.”

He blushed. Then he smiled with an expression of gratitude unlike anything I have ever experienced, and one which I will never forget.

That’s what heroes without headlines do. They make indelible impressions on our heart, and they make us want to reach up for our higher angels.

There are 81 living Medal of Honor recipients. Would that every American would have the opportunity to meet at least one of them and experience, in real time, the goodness, kindness, courage, patriotism and service that makes each of them a model to be imitated, respected and honored.

In my opinion, what makes them so special is not power, wealth, status or notoriety.  On the contrary, they are special because they are just like us. They are human, they have fears, they wonder about their future, they love their children and yearn for their safety, happiness and success. They bear the aches and pains of life, yet they never complain. Their actions are motivated by service not selfishness, grace not greed, humility not pride.

The two men I met in Gettysburg see themselves as a soldier and a marine who did nothing more than serve their country.

The Medal of Honor does not signify perfection. In my mind, it is a statement about excellence. The 3,458 men and one woman who have earned it acted in the best interest of their neighbors, their friends and their country. They thought about others before themselves. In so doing, they established a model of behavior that encourages the weak to be strong, the timid to be courageous, and the powerful to be generous. Their behavior on the battlefield and in the public square gives truth to the words of Abraham Lincoln, “We must rise with the occasion…Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today.”

Please provide feedback to:
tony.mussari@gmail.com


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Life, Light and Lincoln

Sunday, October 14th, 2012

Life, Light and Lincoln

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2012
Mussari-Loftus Associates
All Rights Reserved
The Face of America Project

Let us at all times remember that all Americans are brothers of a common country, and should dwell in the bonds of fraternal feeling. Abraham Lincoln

Life and Lincoln

Kitch and I have been spending a good of our time producing our documentary Walking Into The Light at Gettysburg. It has been a demanding and delightful experienced.

It forced us to immerse ourselves in the history of the Civil War, and it opened our eyes to the brilliance and compassion of Abraham Lincoln.

While he was President, he was vilified by his detractors.

Nevertheless, he remained true to his beliefs.

Early one morning while I was doing research for the documentary, I found an insightful comment about President Lincoln. It was written by T.V. Smith:

This Lincoln, whom so many living friends and foes alike deemed foolish, hid his bitterness in laughter; fed his sympathy on solitude; and met recurring disaster with whimsicality to muffle the murmur of a bleeding heart. Out of the tragic sense of life he pitied where others blamed; bowed his own shoulders with the woes of the weak; endured humanely his little day of chance power; and won through death what life disdains to bestow upon such simple souls—lasting peace and everlasting glory.

When pressed for an answer to the question, “What is America at its best?” Smith’s description of Abraham Lincoln comes to mind.

The man who saved the union and lost his life doing it was caring, compassionate, and thoughtful. He saw public office as an opportunity to serve others, not himself. He did not complain, and he never walked away from his responsibilities. He wanted America to be a country deeply rooted in belonging, community and confraternity.

For kitch and me, Abraham Lincoln is the personification of America at its very best.

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tony.mussari@gmail.com


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Sometimes Opportunity Is Only A Friend Away

Sunday, October 14th, 2012

Sometimes Opportunity Is Only A Friend Away
Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2012
Mussari-Loftus Associates
All Rights Reserved
The Face of America Project

"Fellow-Citizens, we cannot escape history." Abraham Lincoln

Reliving October 28, 1960

Bill Kashatus is a teacher, a writer and a friend.

He loves history, and he shares that love with everyone he meets.

He works diligently to organize an annual conference that helps students, teachers and guests better understand the history of our area. This year the conference focused on presidential campaigns. It was cosponsored by the Luzerne County Historical Society and Luzerne County Community College.

Dr. Thomas Baldino, professor of Political Science at Wilkes University, presented an interesting paper on the evolution of voting patterns in Northeastern PA. He identified six key or transitional presidential elections and he carefully explained how the political complexion of our section of the Commonwealth has changed over the years.

Tony Brooks, the Executive Director of the Luzerne County Historical Society, took his listeners on a journey from the very first presidential election to the 2008 election. Using a well-organized PowerPoint Presentation, he brought the candidates and the election results to life.

Dr. Kashatus opened the afternoon session with an informative and thoughtful analysis of President Theodore Roosevelt and his many trips to our little corner of the world.

One of his slides caught my attention. It was designed to explain “TR’s” thoughts on religion. It read:

“To do justly, to show mercy, and to walk humbly before the Lord thy God.”

After I read the slide, I thought to myself, in 14 words, President Roosevelt said it all.

My moment came at 2 p.m., when I was given an opportunity to discuss our documentary JFK: One Day in October. Kitch and I produced this documentary without a budget in 2003 as a special edition of our What Is America? series. It was our attempt to explain the way JFK’s visit to Wilkes-Barre and Scranton on October 28, 1960, impacted 18-year-old kids like me. To be very honest, it was one of the more difficult assignments of my life, because that visit had a profound impact on my life.

Whatever anyone might think of John of Kennedy and his Presidency, one thing is certain, it made young people believe that a life in public service could be a life well spent. He made many World War II babies believe that we could make a difference, and he presented a face of America to the world that was admired around the world.

Throughout the presentation, I was thinking about my son who is in a very difficult place at the moment. I was thinking about my parents and the sacrifices they made for their children so we could have a better life. In return we felt an obligation to honor their sacrifices by making something of ourselves.

I was thinking about one of my classmates, Pat Mulloy, who became the Assistant Secretary of Commerce of the United States, and a well respected member of the Foreign Service. He is one of the 16 people who was featured in our documentary.

I was thinking about the accomplishments and the distinguished service of my high school debate partner Peter Smith, a hometown boy, who 52 years after Kennedy’s visit is a US attorney determined to root out corruption wherever he finds it in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

In my opinion, the first steps toward the noble accomplishments of Pat Mulloy and Pete Smith were taken that autumn afternoon on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre, PA, eight days before John F. Kennedy was elected President of the United States, and 100 years after his predecessor, Abraham Lincoln, won the presidency.

During the session, my eyes were drawn to a diminutive woman dressed in traditional Muslim attire. I invited her and her friend to stay for the session so I could introduce them to JFK the candidate, JFK the motivator, JFK the inspiration for thousands of young people who spent a lifetime “waiting for the snow” just like Thomas Scanlon who was one of the first young Americans to serve overseas in President Kennedys’ Peace Corps.

Tom Scanlon was a Peace Corps volunteer in Chile from 1961 to 1963. He coined the phrase waiting for the snow to describe his willingness to endure hardship to serve people in need.  

While speaking to a group of Peace Corps recruits, President Kennedy complimented Tom Scanlon, and he shared his story and his phase “waiting for the snow” to encourage Pease Corps volunteers to go out of their way to help people in need.

Tom Scanlon was director of the Public Welfare Fund for 34 years. During his tenure, its assets rose from $20 million to over $600 million.

He founded Benchmarks a unique consulting company dedicated to serving countries with innovative social development programs.

In 1996, Mr. Scanlon published a book entitled Waiting For The Snow.

Tom Scanlon’s hometown, Scranton, PA, was the final stop during JFK’s October 28, Visit. Without question, Tom Scanlon’s life reflects the light of an extraordinary Face of America on its very best day.

Before the conference ended, the students I asked to stay told me they were glad they did. They liked the message and the challenge of JFK.

At this conference, I saw past, present and future faces of America at its best. I experienced America thinking, learning, sharing, growing and coming together in community.

The teachers were filled with a wonderful spirit of giving. The students were interested, impressive and very interesting. They wanted to better understand what presidential politics is all about. More important was their desire to figure out what their role was in this vital process.

In a moment of absolute brilliance, one of the students, Michael Feeney, responded to a question from a speaker with these words:

“I don’t think I can give you an answer. I am just learning and forming my opinion.”

I saw the qualities of a teacher written all over Michael’s heart and soul, and when I got the opportunity, I was quick to tell him to consider teaching as a career.

Bill Kashatus and Tony Brooks are doing their best to preserve our history. They know that Abraham Lincoln was right, “We can’t escape history.”

In my opinion, Bill Kashatus and Tony brooks are examples of America at its best.

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Gone Too Soon

Sunday, October 14th, 2012

Gone Too Soon

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2012
Mussari-Loftus Associates
All Rights Reserved
The Face of America Project
faceofamericawps.com

The memory of your dear Father, instead of an agony, will yet be
a sad sweet feeling in your heart, of a purer and holier sort than
you have known before. Abraham Lincoln

Gone Too Soon

I only knew him for a short time, and I did not know him well. Nevertheless, during the board meetings we attended at the Back Mountain Memorial Library, the person I watched and listened to taught me well.

He was dedicated, determined and devoted to his work.

He was competent and comprehensive about his assignments.

He measured his words, and he never spoke in a hurtful way.

He was candid, genuine, humorous and very affirming.

He was a responsible man who always wanted to do his best.

He extended himself to open the door for others.

With all that said, I saw in his eyes and felt from his heart a kind of pain and worry that made life difficult for him and those he loved.

In July, he sent me a beautiful note filled with words of affirmation and encouragement. It came from the goodness of his heart. It was intended to help people connect, and make people feel the warmth of community. There was, however, a sense of urgency. It was as if he knew his time was limited.

We never had the meeting he suggested. He was hospitalized. His seat in the boardroom was empty. His voice was silent.

The news of his death confirmed the words of Thomas Merton, “Death is something you see very clearly with eyes in the center of your heart.”

Dick Evans was a college graduate, an Air Force veteran, a devoted husband and parent, a successful businessman and a community leader. He personified the characteristics of millions of Americans born in the shadow of World War II: determination, persistence, resilience, a desire to serve and a deeply felt obligation to honor and respect parents, family, community and country.

Dick Evans will be missed by his family, his friends and his colleagues on the Back Mountain Memorial Library Board.

He was a man with presence, a man with passion and a man with ideas.

He was a Face of America on its best day.

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Patterns of Behavior

Sunday, October 14th, 2012

Patterns of Behavior

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2012
Mussari-Loftus Associates
All Rights Reserved
The Face of America Project
faceofamericawps.com

Once people become pattern aware, it is virtually impossible to revert to old, self-serving behavior. Sylvia Lafair

Patterns

For the past three months, I have been producing America at Its Best commentaries for Marty Wolff’s Business Builders Show. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about people who are doing things to help entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Our commentary this week focused on the work Sylvia Lafair is doing to improve workplace productivity. It is included here because it provides another insight into America at its best?

When I think about America at its best, I think about change, growth and transformation.

When I listen to Sylvia Lafair talk about life and leadership in corporate America, I hear the caring, creative and thoughtful voice of an expert who has done her best to help people reach their best.

Her message is compelling, genuine and interesting:

1. We are what we see, hear and do in our childhood;

2. We react to stressful situations at work with patterns of behavior we learned in our family;

3. Often times these patterns produce negative results and diminish trust;

4. These patterns can be changed with observation, understanding and transformation;

5. The Drama Queen or King can become a storyteller. The Avoider can become a resolver of conflict. The Overachiever can become an affirmer.

Essentially, it’s all about helping, empowering and serving the best interest of the other person, and that makes good things happen for the company or business.

Dr. Sylvia LaFair is many things, an accomplished businesswoman, an award winning author, and a respected therapist, all significant accomplishments to be sure.

Far more important, however, is her message of belonging, change, community, hope, and redemption, because that is the message of America at its best.

You can listen to other commentaries by clicking on the America At Its Best page on the home page of our website.

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Emily Perez: America At Its Best

Wednesday, September 12th, 2012

Emily Perez at 29, September 12, 2012

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2012
Mussari-Loftus Associates
All Rights Reserved
The Face of America Project
faceofamericawps.com

We are not permitted to choose the frame of our destiny. But what we put into it is ours.  Dag Hammerskjold

September 12, 2012

In about two hours the sun will rise on America. Alarm clocks will ring, mothers and fathers will get children up and ready for school.

On street corners all over our country, students will gather to catch the big yellow bus that will take them to the place they will call home for about eight hours.

Red and blue-lined roads will be jammed with traffic as parents make their way to the office or factory or department store.

On the buses and in the cars, radios will provide a serenade of sounds that will greet this day with joy.

That’s the way it will be on this morning of opportunity in America, but in one community in Maryland, it will be very different.

I doubt that the pickup truck carrying this father to work will have any music blaring. I think the same will be the case in his wife’s car. I am almost positive the mood in both vehicles will be sad, poignant and questioning. The faces of the drivers will reflect the emptiness and pain of the loss of a child. Their hearts will be beating in harmony with the significance of this day.

For most of us it is September 12, the day after our national expression of grief for the 2900 Americans who lost their lives on the day the earth stood still for America.  Today is a new day in America and the routine of life resumes for most of us but not all.

For Vicki and Daniel Perez the mourning continues, because this is the day their precious Emily lost her life in Iraq six years ago.

2nd LT Emily Perez

By every measure, 2nd LT Emily Perez reflects the light of America on its best day.  She was a leader in her class at West Point. She was a leader with the uncommon blessings of courage, determination, focus, kindness and a natural born instinct for selfless service to others.
Everyone who knew her talks about her radiant smile, her competitive nature, her willingness to do the right thing regardless of the consequences. She was small in stature, but a giant in all the things that matter.

I’ve been told, she was not ordered to Iraq. She volunteered to switch her assignment so a friend could be with her fiancé. She did not have to lead the convoy on the day of her death. She volunteered because she did not believe her recently arrived replacement was ready for the assignment.

Emily’s big brain and bigger heart would have enabled her to go to any college of her choosing in America.  Her athletic ability would have been celebrated with scholarship assistance.  She decided to make West Point her home for four years. She was a member of the 9/11 class, and that had meaning for this indefatigable teenager who wanted to serve her country just like her father had done in Germany where she was born.

To know Emily was to admire Emily. Kitch and I did not have that privilege, but we did have a priceless moment with Emily while she was a cadet at West Point.  It is included at the end of a short video about her legacy.  You will find it at this address:

http://faceofamericawps.com/video/emilys-legacy/

On this September 12, Kitch and I will be thinking about Emily and her parents.  We will give thanks for the gift of her example and their friendship. We will celebrate her wonderful life and many accomplishments, and we will pray that the work of her parents to share Emily’s message through their Emily’s Way Foundation will be blessed with success.

America needs the light of Emily Perez. American youngsters need the example of Emily Perez, and Americans of all ages need to be reminded that the heartbeat of Emily Perez and many like her is the heartbeat of America on its best day.

She never gave up on her dream.

She never gave in to the people who made life difficult for her.

She never turned away from people who needed her help.

She always put the needs of her country and the people she was leading before her own needs.

She always looked up for inspiration, and looked out to inspire others.

She wasn’t rich, and she isn’t famous. She was, however, simpley the best America has to offer.

The day Joanne Chabalko introduced us to 2nd LT Emily Perez was one of the best days of our life, and until the end we will continue to sing her praises and spread her message because, in our opinion, she is the Face of America on its best day, and all of us, young and old, can benefit from her example.

Thank you Vicki and Daniel for giving our country the priceless gift of Emily.

Thank you for working long and hard hours to mentor young women in Emily’s Way.

Thank you for the dignified and inspirational way you have carried on despite the grief and sadness of your loss.

Thank you for your quiet acts of kindness that exemplify your beautiful faces of America on its best day. All of us who know you are in your debt.

2nd LT Emily Perez did not choose the frame of her destiny, but what she put into it clearly speaks to America at its very best.

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Shanksville: Where Hope Is Stronger Than Death

Monday, September 10th, 2012

Shanksville, PA: A Place Where Hope Is Stronger Than Death

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2012
Mussari-Loftus Associates
All Rights Reserved
The Face of America Project
faceofamericawps.com

Our worth is always determined by our deeds, not by our good intentions, however noble. Og Mandino

An Anniversary Like No Other

When Kitch and I made our first visit to Shanksville, our lives were changed forever.

The genuineness of the People’s Memorial to the Heroes of Flight 93, the welcoming way of the ambassadors we met, the natural beauty of the setting, the poignant reminders of the courage and determination of the passengers and crew of Flight 93 and the heartfelt tributes left by thousands of visitors made an indelible mark on our souls.

This week I opened the door to my memory room.  Once inside, I spent a good deal of time thinking about what I learned during our visits to the People’s Memorial and the annual screenings of our Changed Forever series in Shanksville. Thousands of images flashed through my mind. The rush of emotions accompanying this kaleidoscope was humbling.

These are some of the images that spoke to my heart.

Memorable Quotes

The seven words written on a guard rail, “The peace you find here is eternal,” reminded me that most of the things we think are important don’t give us peace of mind.

The handcrafted note from a child named Shelly, “Thank you for what you did even though you were scared.”  Embedded in these words is the powerful and healing virtue of gratitude. As one of the ancients said, “It is the queen of all virtues.”

The inscription on a tile that read, “A hero is one who keeps trying.” In this world of bigness, most of us feel a sense of overwhelming smallness, yet the child who wrote this note reminds us that perseverance and perspective will help us make it through the distractions and the nights of darkness into the light of understanding.   

The seven words written on the wall of tributes in 2002 by one of our students Chuck Moran: “A piece of us all stays here.”

Those words set the tone for all of our visits that followed.

Another member of our group, Jeff Soles wrote this note: “One nation under God indivisible thanks.”

Jeff Soles was one of the most impressive and courageous people I have ever met. He was battling cancer when he visited the site. He lost his battle shortly after he wrote this note.  His words had special meaning then, and even more meaning today.

Images of Horror and Hope

The black mushroom cloud hovering over the red barn in Val McClatchy’s picture is the classic image of what happened in Shanksville on September 11, 2001.

In another respect, that black cloud is symbolic of the darkness of animosity, hatred and violence that darkens our world to this day.
Val has paid a very heavy price personally and professionally because of her picture. Yet she remained true to her mission. She wanted to share it with the world no matter what her critics said. Today Val’s picture is one of the icons of that place and that day.

For 10 years, the 40 Angels of Freedom watched over the huge debris field as they paid a personal and poignant tribute to the men and women who fought the first battle in the war against terror. These slate angels created by Eric Pierson and his wife Tammy gave the site a quality of comfort and warmth that is difficult to describe.

Chuck Wagner’s captivating picture of the site at sunset may very well be one of the most beautiful pictures of the symbolism of this sacred place.

Chuck is a thoughtful man.  In his world, faith and family set the agenda. He and his wife Jayne have spent countless hours working at the site as Flight 93 Ambassadors.  Chuck has taken more pictures of the site than anyone I know. This picture records the beauty and majesty of this place of hope and heroes.  

This picture of the MacMillans entering the site records a special moment in the life of a family whose friendship and love for Todd Beamer and his family brought them here to celebrate his life. It speaks to the joy of community. It represents friendship, loyalty and love. For Kitch and me all of these things are embedded deep in the soil in Shanksville.

Everything about the People’s Memorial told visitors they were not alone.  They were a part of the Shanksville family, and, in another respect, they were an essential part of the American family.

Joanne Galvin presenting the National 9/11 flag to the students
from North Plainfield High School is a bridge to the next generation of Shanksville storytellers. It is a powerful reminder that we must never forget what happened to our country on September 11, 2001. It represents the fulfillment of a promise Joanne made to her late husband to continue his mission, and the hope that the next generation will keep this important national symbol flying in every state.

Kitch’s impressionistic picture of the shadows cast by the tributes on the chain link fence records the haunting feeling one gets while visiting the site. There are so many questions, and very few answers.  Why did it happen?  Why were so many innocent lives taken in New York, Washington, DC and here without cause? Why do people hate and kill in the name of God? When will we learn to resolve our differences without murdering innocents?

Questions and Answers

In 2009, Clarence Michael looked at the wall of tributes, and
he asked the quintessential question, “I wonder what I would have done?”  In my heart of hearts, I believe that most of the people who visited the site silently asked themselves this question. They know what they would have liked to do, but few are certain about what they would have done.

Chelsea Blue was a freshman at the North Plainfield High School in New Jersey when she defined heroism with these thoughtful words:

“A hero is someone who does great things and you look up to them, and you try to follow in their footsteps. A hero is not a celebrity. A hero is someone who stands up for what’s right, does what’s right, and never breaks the law or does anything bad. You never know your heroes until they are gone.”

Our chance meeting with the cheerleaders from North
PlainfieldHigh School in New Jersey in 2009 opened the door to opportunities for teaching, learning, growing and service we never thought possible. Shanksville was our second home during the past ten years. North Plainfield has become our new second home. We are deeply grateful for the friends we have made in both communities.

The Gift of Friendship

This picture of Janie Kiehl telling the Shanksville story to a group of students from our last class evokes warm and sentimental feelings of gratitude for the gift of friendship.

Janie Kiehl was the first person Kitch met in Shanksville. We did not know it then, but she would become the person who made all of our screenings happen.

On the day we literally bumped into one another, Janie was the Flight 93 Ambassador on duty at the site. Today, Janie is an admired and cherished friend. Every year she arranged the community dinner for our guests, and she secured the Methodist church for our screening. In more ways than I can describe here, she personifies what friendship is all about.

During our last interview, I asked Janie what she would want people to know about Shanksville. She thought for a moment, and then she replied, “Welcome to small town America.”

Today the People’s Memorial is only a memory of a time when citizens of goodwill joined together to remember and pay tribute to 40 heroes and heroines who defined in courageous and heroic ways what America is on its best and worst day. The design came from their hearts, their beliefs and their experiences.  The construction was the work of their hands. The atmosphere reflected their caring hearts.

The temporary memorial was open, honest, welcoming and oh, so memorable. For those of us who experienced its transformational power, it will live in our hearts forever, and it will give us hope.

As one youngster wrote, “Hope is stronger than death.”

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Good News and New Adventures

Saturday, August 4th, 2012

Good News, August 4, 2012

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2012
Mussari-Loftus Associates
All Rights Reserved
The Face of America Project
faceofamericawps.com

You have to make your own happiness.  Maeve Binchy

“Vitamin N”

For the past few weeks, Kitch and I have been working long and hard hours in our garden. It is not the kind of work I thought we would be doing at this stage of our life. It is, however, the kind of work we love to do.  The garden at sunrise is peaceful and quiet. While we work we listen to a magnificent concert performed by cardinals, mourning doves and robins.

We are building enclave gardens to make the garden more maintenance free and more attractive to visitors. We are also repairing damage from two years of horrible weather, and neglect because of the unexpected challenges life gives all of us.  As of today, we have finished 10 new enclave gardens. They speak to family, life, love, excellence and service

Working in the dirt is a challenging, humbling and enriching experience. The benefits are many. 

According to Richard Louv, a growing body of research links more time spent in a garden and other natural settings with reduced stress and depression.  Mr. Louv refers to a 2008 study at the University of Michigan to make an important point; just one hour of interaction with nature results in improved memory and attention span. He cites another study completed at the University of Kansas. It documents a 50 percent boost in creativity for people who were steeped in nature for a few days.

In his book, The Nature Principle: Reconnecting with Life in a Virtual Age, Louv encourages parents and grandparents to get children connected with nature. That’s exactly what we do with our grandchildren during their Windsor Park Camp experiences.  

Last week, our six-year-old grandson joined us for his first Windsor Park Camp experience. During the day, we spent time in the garden, and every night we ended the day in the garden. When I asked him what his favorite camp experiences were, he put his time in the garden at the top of the list.  When I asked him why, his answer was quick and to the point, “It is peaceful there.”

Need I say more?

Opportunity: America at Its Best

Opportunity is the life blood of America. Our ancestors came here because they believed America would provide them with opportunities to make life better for themselves and their children.

Opportunity is central to the promise of American life, and my life, even in its Indian summer, is an example of the blessings of opportunity.

Recently, our friend, Marty Wolff opened the door of opportunity for us. Every week, Marty hosts the Business Builders Show.  The program is designed to inform, educate and encourage entrepreneurs and small business owners. Marty thought it would be a good idea to end each program with a commentary.  He invited us to join his team

Kitch and I discussed the offer. We accepted, and we came up with a concept and a title.

On July 21, and August 4, we broadcast our first and second America at Its Best Commentaries. You can listen to these short summaries at this address on our Face of America website:

http://faceofamericawps.com/commentaries-america-at-its-best/

You can listen to Marty’s show on Saturday morning at 8 a.m. at 94.3FM "The Talker" or you can listen live on your computer at www.943thetalker.com 

Rebroadcasts of the shows are available at Marty’s website:

www.businessbuildersglobal.com

Beautiful Thoughts for Difficult Times

The news of the day at the local and national level has been very discouraging of late. I don’t have to recite the litany of stories originating from the darker side of our world. You know what they are. Rather than wasting time lamenting, we decided to build a page on our website called Beautiful Thoughts. Every week we will add a beautiful thought.  It will focus on positive experiences, kindness, and generosity of spirit that come from caring and helping hearts.

It is not by accident that our first Beautiful Thought is about our greatest American president and his philosophy of leadership. Our second beautiful thought is about something we all need, laughter.

You can listen to Beautiful Thoughts for Difficult Times at this address:  

http://faceofamericawps.com/beautiful-thoughts/

Walking into the Light

Four months ago, Kitch and I spent three days working with 10 students from North Plainfield High School at the Gettysburg National Military Park.  It was an incredible experience for the students, and the fulfillment of a lifetime dream to produce a documentary about Gettysburg.

Kitch and I love the majesty, solemnity and silence of the battlefield. We appreciate what the battle says about America on its best and worst days. We admire the people who have spent a lifetime working to restore the battlefield.  We have been impressed by the kindness of people in the National Park Service and the Gettysburg Foundation.

In 2010 during our journey across America, Kitch and I were very fortunate to meet and become friends with Barbara Platt. We spent several enjoyable visits with Barbara in Gettysburg, and we recorded two priceless interviews with her before she lost her battle with cancer.

Every time Kitch and I visit Gettysburg we learn something about courage, integrity, patriotism and service to country.

Every day since our production experience there, we have been working on some aspect of the documentary. It may very well be one of the biggest research projects of our career as  documentary filmmakers.  We have no budget. We rely on the good will, help and support of a team of volunteers headed by our dear friend Tom Mazur. We have connected with some wonderful people in Gettysburg who have offered their help and encouragement. Bonnie and Frank Orlando head that list.  

As of today, the assembly edit of the introduction for Walking into the Light at Gettysburg is finished. We have a long way to go, but we feel confident we can meet all of the objectives we set for the project and the documentary.

If everything goes as planned, there will be two screening events, one this year, the other in 2013.

We will keep you posted on our progress.

A Very Special Moment

This week, we had one of those moments that cannot be accurately described. It must be experienced.

It came in the form of a note we received from a student who visited our garden with the students from North Plainfield in July.

With gratitude for the opportunities we have had to work with the students in North Plainfield, Kitch and I built an enclave garden to celebrate what is one of the most diverse high schools in New Jersey. Walking the halls of North Plainfield High School, visiting classes, and attending extracurricular events, we found the face of America’s tomorrow today.

We asked our friend Michael Sackett to engrave a cornerstone rock and four smaller rocks for this enclave garden. When the students arrived we asked them to place the rocks in their enclave garden. Then we invited the students to have lunch.  There were a few requirements.  They had to turn off all digital devices when they entered our home.  They had to sit together at two large tables in our dining room.  There would be no adults in the room, and they were encouraged to make the most of this opportunity to talk with one another face to face.

After lunch and before the students left our home, I took a few minutes to speak from my heart about the most current research about the impact of digital addiction. I did not know how my comments would be received, but I felt compelled to share them, in an honest, empathic and engaging way.

The letters Kitch and I have received from several of the students have been very encouraging. The latest note touched our hearts in a very special way:

Throughout the whole trip … I hadn’t really talked to the other girls much but as we sat at the table I had no other choice but to talk to them and I found out that I actually have a lot in common with those girls so thank you for making us sit together. 
I would like to let you know that I liked the talk you gave us after lunch it got me thinking about how I do spend a lot of time texting instead of actually talking to people and about how I do need to take time everyday to just sit and talk to them in an area where there’s no distractions and my resolution is to do just that. 

My favorite part about the visit over your house was the gardens I love your gardens.  It was like in every area of the gardens was something new to be discovered and while I walked through them I felt really peaceful, I wish that I would have had more time in the gardens but I’m hoping that next year I will be able to visit them.  I can’t wait to go back and see what else I can learn from your visits.

P.S I love the rocks you got for us, and I would like to let you know that I took a picture of the big rock and is now my profile picture on Facebook for the time being.  

More than anything, the candor and sincerity of this note and the others we received documents an important point. There is a place in the lives of young people for mentors.  If we approach them in a positive way, we can get them to think about the things that worry us, and we must find a way to do just that.

Update on the Mourning Dove

We received a number of beautiful notes from people who read our story about the Mourning Dove. To everyone who took the time to write we say thank you.

As of today the nest is empty, and there is but one reminder of what happened there.  In this picture, you can see the empty nest and the grey colored feather that obviously belonged to one of the squabs.

Nature is both beautiful and mysterious.

A Final Thought

Maeve Binchy, one of Ireland’s national treasures, died this week.  

Before she became a celebrated author, Maeve Binchy visited our hometown with a group of Irish teachers.  People who met her said she was down to earth and very witty. Like many of her American fans, Kitch enjoyed all of her books, and she agrees with Gail Rebuck’s description of the woman who identified herself as an airport author.  “She was a woman who wrote from the heart with an unrivalled warmth and passion.”

Part of her legacy rests on the success of the 16 books she wrote. More than 40 million people were amused, entertained and informed by the characters in her books. Much more important and lasting to the people who knew her was her kind and welcoming disposition.  

Roy Greenslade chose these words to summarize the life of Maeve Binchy. “There was a total absence of malice in Maeve. She loved people and, in return, they loved her. For her, life was all about laughter.” (picture of Maeve Binchy by Jon Kay Wikimedia Commons)

These three quotations speak to the genuineness of Maeve Binchy’s heart of gold:

“You don’t wear all your jewellery at once. You’re much more believable if you talk in your own voice.”

“There are no makeovers in my books. The ugly duckling does not become a beautiful swan. She becomes a confident duck able to take charge of her own life and problems.”

“The great thing about getting older is that you become more mellow. Things aren’t as black and white and you become much more tolerant. You can see the good in things much more easily, rather than getting enraged as you used to do when you were young.”

Maeve Binchy made her own happiness in life. By doing what she loved to do, she brought happiness to millions of people all over the world. Now that’s a beautiful thought for every day.

Until the next time, we hope that all of your stories have happy endings.

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Thinking About Life on a Day of Death

Saturday, July 21st, 2012

Thinking About Life on a Day of Death

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2012, Mussari-Loftus Associates, LTD
The Face of America Project
faceofamericawps.com
All Rights Reserved

Death is something you see very clearly with eyes in the center of your heart.Thomas Merton

July 20, 2012, is a day Americans will remember; not for its beauty, not for its poetry, not for its opportunity. It’s a day we will remember for its emptiness, its horror, its viciousness and its senseless death. It’s the day Aurora, Colorado, became a part of the lexicon of mass murder.

In our hometown, we know something about mass murder. On September 25, 1982, a 40-year-old prison guard killed 13 people, including five of his children. Kitch knows that story like the back of her hand.  She covered virtually every aspect of the story.

In my mind’s eye, the only difference between the tragedy in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and Aurora, Colorado, is 30 years and a growing list mass murders that produce heartache and heartbreak in ways no one can accurately express.

One of the worst things about experiencing a day like this is the feeling of helplessness. You see the carnage. You sense the incredible pain. You want to help. You want to stop the hurt and the madness, but you are nothing more than a stunned spectator with good intentions. A mixture of curiosity and fear attracts one to the story. A feeling of disbelief,  disgust and numbness makes one look for a place to find peace and comfort.

The words of Edvard Munch apply:

You know my picture, ‘The Scream?’ I was stretched to the limit—nature was screaming in my blood…

Changing the Conversation

I would like to begin this day after the carnage with something positive and uplifting for people who have been following our Face of America adventure. I would like to change the conversation to something more beautiful and joyful.

While America was expressing its outrage and trying to deal with the depravity of the Dark Knight of Aurora, Colorado, a miracle of nature was happening right before our eyes in the entrance to our garden.

In early July, a Mourning Dove took up residence in a trumpet vine covering a banister on one of the staircases in Windsor Park. Kitch and I have had the good fortune to watch this miracle of life unfold from the building to the crude nest to the laying of the first egg, then the second and the inspirational nurturing that has followed.

Several times a day we visit the location in a quiet, non-threatening and respectful way to get a glimpse of the nest and the dutiful dove that is always there. We come with curiosity and concern. We leave with a sense of awe. On Wednesday, 36 hours before the dark clouds covered our country with grief, we introduced 10 students from North Plainfield, New Jersey, to the miracle in our garden. The accompanying picture records this joyful moment.

A little research helped us to fill in the blanks and better understand the process.

Those who study these birds tell us “there is no more gentle and pleasant bird than the Mourning Dove. They are a social bird that enjoys being close to humans as long as they are soft spoken and do not get too close.”

Doves symbolize peace, goodwill and friendship. They are monogamous. When we see a dove in the garden at a birdfeeder or birdbath, we know that its mate will always be close by.

We did not know that both parents incubate and care for their squabs, and they both produce milk for their babies.

The female dove builds the nest.  The male dove provides the materials. Alison McColllum gave her readers a wonderful description of the nest:

“A bird’s nest is a complex construction if ever there was one. Depending on the species, they can be extremely elaborate like the condolike nest that Quaker parrots build on power line poles or a basic structure like made in a tree by Mourning doves. They work with what they have and respect the world around them. The nests are environmentally responsible and over time disappear. They live with the land instead of on it as we humans tend too. Also they are able to leave behind the nest and explore the world without having to stay with their possessions. They are free and able to rebuild when tragedy strikes.”

Doves are responsible parents.  During the two week incubation period, the male works the early shift from morning to afternoon.  The female takes her place on the eggs for the remainder of the day and at night. The two weeks after birth the mother and father will feed the squabs a diet of pigeon’s milk for three days, then they will adds seeds. After fledging takes place, the father will continue his watch and support for two weeks.

If all goes according to nature’s plan, our little corner of the world will have two more Mourning Doves to enhance the sights and sounds the garden.  This will happen at the same time the case of the Dark Knight of Aurora is make its way through the Colorado court system. We will be watching both of these scenes; one with horror, and disgust, the other with admiration and enjoyment.

Maybe that’s the way life is supposed to be. When things are difficult, and everything seems to be in doubt, we look to nature, its beauty, its elegance, its majesty to give us hope that tomorrow will be better than today.

You can be sure of one thing. While we are being restored in our garden, we will be offering living prayers for comfort, healing and rejuvenation for the victims, family members and friends who are hurting in Aurora. They will need the peace, good will and friendship of an army of Mourning Doves to put their lives back in order.

Of this they can be sure, they will receive this and much more from people all over America who want to ease their pain.

To rearrange the words of Bernard Beckett; Living is defined by dying, and the death and destruction we experienced on July 20 is not the America we want for ourselves, our children or our grandchildren. We can and we must find a way to bring the spirit of the Mourning Dove to every corner of our world.

 

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Happy Birthday America: Part 1, Good Neighbors

Thursday, July 5th, 2012

Happy Birthday America: Part 1, Good Neighbors

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2012, Mussari-Loftus Associates, LTD
The Face of America Project
faceofamericawps.com
All Rights Reserved

The genius of the United States is not best or most in its executives or legislatures, nor in its ambassadors or authors or college presidents, or churches, or parlors, nor even in its newspapers or inventors, but always most in its common people.Sinclair Lewis

When I think about the heart and soul of America, I think about the people Kitch and I meet at the ground level as we continue our search for examples of the Face of America on its best day. These people are not rich or famous.  They are not influential or powerful. Their names do not appear in the headlines and they do not make the evening news. Their stories do not go viral on You Tube.

These Americans are happy being who they are, doing what they do. They are grateful for the opportunities they have.  The core of their lives and their beliefs is deeply rooted in service to others. They are good neighbors, loyal friends, and decent human beings.

Good Neighbors

Close to home, they are people like Bob Type and Theresa Evans.  Bob is a Vietnam veteran. He retired this year from a blue collar job. Bob is quiet and unassuming by nature.  He is a person who willingly helps his neighbors. After the autumn storm downed trees in our neighborhood, Bob picked up his pole saw, and he used it to help his neighbors cut down storm damaged trees. Kitch ad I were beneficiaries of Bob’s kindness.

When Theresa Evans was five years old, she spent five months living in a crowded boxcar of a train operated by the Nazis. Once a day the train stopped and she and others were permitted to get out of the boxcar and forage for food.  When the train eventually came to a stop, she spent another 13 months in virtual captivity. Several years later, she came to America.  She married a U.S. soldier she met in Germany, and she became a successful real estate broker.  

Theresa is a kind, thoughtful neighbor.  When Kitch was sick, she did everything she could to lift her spirits. Several times her husband Terry brought her trademark homemade Apfel Kuchen to our door. It was more than a delicious dessert; it was a mark of her caring heart.

Parents with Purpose

In our home away from home, North Plainfield, N.J., Chris and Wanda Blue are teaching their three children to believe in their country, and behave in a way that will enable them to take full advantage of the blessings of liberty.

Both Chris and Wanda have high expectations for their son and two daughters. They are active participants in their lives.  They attend school events.  Wanda is a school bus driver and a member of the PTO.  Together they visited Shanksville with us. They attended screenings at the high school, and recently Wanda was a chaperone for our Gettysburg project. The Blues are involved and invested in caring and helpful ways in the lives of their children because they want a better tomorrow for them. The Blues believe in the American dream, and they are doing what it takes to make it happen.

Serendipity

During a visit to the Visitor Center at the Gettysburg National Military Park, I met  Bonnie Orlando. She was volunteering at the Information Desk. I had a question. She had the answer and a business card that introduced me to the wonderful world of living history.

Bonnie and her husband Frank are retired teachers. They decided to spend the Indian summer of their life in Gettysburg helping people of all ages better understand the legacy of General and Mrs. Robert E. Lee. They do it with dignity, class and grace.

They teach lessons of forgiveness and reconciliation.

They give the story of the greatest battle in North America depth and understanding.

They give graciously and generously of their time and talent to anyone who wants to go behind the lines of this horrible conflict into the heart and soul of one of America’s greatest generals, and one of the premier families of the South. 

They teach by example one of the essential characteristics of America at its best.  They give more because they want to be more and do more for the people they serve.

The words Robert E. Lee wrote to his sons apply:

“Be kind, and generous, and pray earnestly to God to enable you to keep His commandments and walk in the same all the days of your life.”

Happy Birthday America.

(To be continued)

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tony.mussari@gmail.com


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Happy Birthday America: Part 2, Making It Happen

Thursday, July 5th, 2012

Happy Birthday America: Part 2

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2012, Mussari-Loftus Associates, LTD
The Face of America Project
faceofamericawps.com
All Rights Reserved

The genius of the United States is not best or most in its executives or legislatures, nor in its ambassadors or authors or college presidents, or churches, or parlors, nor even in its newspapers or inventors, but always most in its common people.Sinclair Lewis

Making It Happen

Windsor Park Camp is the best week of the summer for Kitch and me. It is a week of uninterrupted participation in the life of our 10-year-old granddaughter, Julia.

Wherever we go, we go together.  Whatever we do, we do together. Whatever we learn, we learn together.

Without question, the highlight of Windsor Park Camp 2012 was a visit to the Tingley Glass Store and Studio in Dickson City.

Julia is a creative child, and we were looking for an activity that would be challenging, interesting and educational. At Tingly Glass, Julia had an opportunity to create an original glass product under the watchful and talented eye of a skilled professional glass artist.

The environment was welcoming, the employees were engaging, the studio was immaculately kept, and the instruction was up close, personal and very effective.

Tingley Glass is the heart and brain child of Jan Winemiller an accomplished artist and a member of one of the founding families of Harford, Pennsylvania. She has built a reputation for extraordinary work, historical preservation and customer service of an extraordinary kind.
Every person we met during our visit put Julia’s needs first. They went out of their way to make it a memorable and productive experience for her, and they were very kind to Kitch and me.

I marveled at the interpersonal skills of JoAnn Radicchi, a retired special education administrator who coordinated our visit to Tingley Glass.  

Gwyneth Steele, Julia’s teacher, exhibited teaching skills that ranked among the very best I have ever experienced. In a very limited window, she eliminated any apprehensions Julia might have had.  She drew her into the creative process with questions that were easy to understand and answer.  She demonstrated the process, and then she left Julia alone at a work bench to make the most of her opportunity.

While Julia worked on her project, Gwen watched her from across the room. Occasionally she would join Julia to help her learn a technique or refine an aspect of the glass horse she was creating.

Watching them work together was pure poetry in motion.

When it was over I asked Julia what she thought about the experience. One word came spontaneously and enthusiastically to her lips, “awesome.”

That word perfectly describes what Jan Winemiller and her team is accomplishing one customer or student at a time at Tingley Glass.

Even more amazing is the fact that the store in Dixon City has been open for less than a year.  You read it correctly.  This facility was opened during one of the most challenging recessions in recent memory, and the business is thriving.

Kitch and I are not economists, but we have learned something about successful businesses during our Face of America journey. They put their customer’s needs first, second and always before anything else including profit. It’s not exclusively about the bottom line.  It’s about what the customer needs. They are willing to take a reduced profit to establish a long term relationship with a satisfied customer who will leave the store with pleasant memories and a desire to share the good news with others.

That’s exactly what happened to us at Tingley Glass.

It was a quintessential American moment. It was America at its best.  At this place, on a beautiful summer afternoon quality, performance, satisfaction and relationship building left a deep and lasting impression and forged a connection that will take us back to Tingley Glass in Dickson City again and again.

The words of Bob Burg I heard on Marty Wolff’s radio program, The Business Builders Show, say it all:

‘Your truth is how much more you give in value than you take in payment.”

Happy Birthday America

(To be continued)

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tony.mussari@gmail.com


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Happy Birthday America: Part 3, Giving Service

Thursday, July 5th, 2012

Happy Birthday America, Part 3

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2012, Mussari-Loftus Associates, LTD
The Face of America Project
faceofamericawps.com
All Rights Reserved

The genius of the United States is not best or most in its executives or legislatures, nor in its ambassadors or authors or college presidents, or churches, or parlors, nor even in its newspapers or inventors, but always most in its common people.Sinclair Lewis

Giving What You’ve Got

During the past few months, Kitch and I have been spending a good deal of time at the Back Mountain Memorial Library. Kitch is a library person by habit and nature.  She has been a reader since her childhood.  It gives her great pleasure, and it fills her mind with beautiful thoughts.

During her battle with breast cancer, she made a bucket list.  Volunteering at our local library was the first item on that list. Once she received the “NED” diagnosis, she signed up to volunteer at the Slightly Read Bookstore. There she works with like-minded people who are determined to do what it takes to help the library maintain its high standard of community service and thrive during these difficult days of digital everything.

A few months ago, I was invited to become a board member. Without hesitation, I accepted.

Both Kitch and I are amazed by the quality of people we meet and the depth of their commitment, dedication and service to the library.

Ruth Tetschner is a retired educator, and library board member.  She came up with the idea for the bookstore in 1998. Her only credentials were intelligence, common sense, a good mind for business, the ability to set a good example and a very engaging way.

Today, she manages the store, and she supervises 32 volunteers who perform all of the necessary services to keep the store running. They are the sales staff, the maintenance staff, and the back-office workers who process the books and stock the shelves.  They do it all without noise or notice, and they have a wonderful time doing what they do. If you were looking for a classic example of community, these men and women perfectly fit that description.

Once a month, 19 members of the board meet with Librarian Martha Butler to discuss everything from finance and investment to policy and library operations.

As one of the three new members of the board, I have a steep learning curve. I spend most of my time listening and observing as the other members of the board share their insights and wisdom. It is a very impressive group of people who reflect the spirit of the Face of America at its best. They are generous with their time, and proactive in all the ways that matter.  Their discussions are civil and very thoughtful.  They are problem solvers, not problem creators. The atmosphere is positive and the outcomes are always productive.

The Auction

Every year the library sponsors an auction to raise money for the operating budget. In years past, Kitch and I always attended the auction, and one year we produced a Windsor Park Story about the event. When I joined the board, I thought I knew something about this event. Was I mistaken!

This is an undertaking like nothing I have ever experienced.  It demands a good deal of work every month of the year, and depends on the hard work and selfless service of an army of volunteers.

Recently I watched these men, women and children in action as they prepared the grounds for this year’s event. It was like watching a concert orchestra brilliantly perform a complicated composition.

Everyone had a job to do, a place to do it, and everyone performed their task flawlessly. As I hurriedly took pictures to capture this beautiful moment, all I could think of was Cleveland Amory’s famous quotation:

“What this world needs is a new kind of Army – The army of the kind.”

If you want to see America at its best, visit the Back Mountain Memorial Library, its Slightly Read Bookstore and its auction. You won’t be disappointed, and you will walk away believing that American treasures are in good hands when volunteers are incorporated into the lifeblood of its institutions.

Happy Birthday America

(To be continued)

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tony.mussari@gmail.com


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