Adieu, Senator Kennedy

Adieu, Monsieur

Senator Edward (Ted) Kennedy, the Liberal Lion, died last night of complications surrounding a tumor in his brain. He was 77 years old.

I remember first becoming aware of the Kennedy name in the late 60's. I remember when Senator Kennedy's older brother, Bobby, was assassinated during the presidential campaign of 1968. I remember how my parents, even my mostly apolitical father, and my grandparents, even the life-long Republican Metzgers, admired the Kennedy family, how they always spoke the Kennedy name with reverence. I have always associated that name, Kennedy, with high-minded idealism and altruism. It is the very epitome of noblesse oblige.

Senator Kennedy was the first candidate to receive my vote for President of the United States. I voted for him in the 1980 primary when he ran against President Carter. Even then, living in blood-red Klamath Falls, Oregon, I had that liberal bent, and I largely credit the Kennedy family for helping me to get there.

Some might say that such sentiments are naive, but childhood truths die hard. And, in the end, we all need something to cling to.

Senator Kennedy, you will be missed. Thank you, sir, and bon voyage.