So, truth be told, I didn’t mind The Grok recently publishing legislator attendance records, perhaps because I’d missed approximately zero votes, much less any sessions, during six years at the State House. And yes, I was among those who were frustrated when our red team lost some close floor votes due to Republican lawmakers’ absences.
After The Grok published a list of solons with the highest absentee rates I was kind of hoping that it would also publish a list of those of us with 100% attendance rates, like me.
That is until a House Session was scheduled for Thursday, March 7.
Months ago, I’d planned to be at Camp Pendleton, Calif., that day for the dedication of a memorial monument 40 years after my Marine Corps unit, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, suffered a dreadful tragedy when a helicopter hit a mountain during a night training exercise in Korea. All 29 Marines aboard were killed. I was in a different chopper and, like many others, always carried a touch of survivor’s guilt.
I knew many of the Marines who were killed and would never miss the March 7th reunion, where I could reconnect with old comrades and meet Gold Star families. Our company commander, Captain Jay Paxton, would make special remarks at the commemoration. After a 42-year USMC career, Paxton retired from the Marines in 2016 as a four-star general and Assistant Commandant.
A lot of tears were shed, a lot of folks were remembered, and afterward, there were warm embraces, later laughs, and camaraderie. There was no way I was going to miss the reunion.
But as a Grokster, I soon noticed my name listed in a Grok piece with the number of floor votes I missed on March 7. Fair enough.
Catholic guilt ensued—different from survivor’s guilt. But some humility and wisdom ensued as well. Never again would I judge fellow citizen-legislators who might miss a session for whatever reason. “Stuff” happens—anything from sicknesses to family emergencies to 40th Anniversary USMC Monument Dedications.
Mea culpa.
Live free or die.
