Election Day In Port Angeles, WA
What a great experience for two old retired folks! We've never been this active in politics before, but we could no longer sit on the sidelines. It was our pleasure to financially support Mr. Obama and to be involved in our small way.
It’s a beautiful day in Port Angeles, WA and we’re holding Obama and other Democratic candidate signs on the corners of Lincoln and First Streets. Port Angeles is a city that sits on the southern shores of the Straits of Juan de Fuca, the waters that separate WA state and British Columbia, Ca. The wind is blowing off the Straits making for "chilly standing". We arrived at our assigned corner at 10:30 a.m. joining others already there.
We waved and tried to engage the passing cars, trucks and pedestrians. Many honked for "Change"; others simply waved and gave us a "thumbs up". A few sour appearing folks gave us another internationally recognized sign! One young fellow walked by and when I inquired, "Have you voted?" he sorted thru several papers and showed me his ballot sealed in its envelope. He was headed to the county courthouse to slip his ballot into the box (Clallam County has mail-in voting or one can simply drop their ballot in designated drop boxes). Another lady wearing numerous Democratic buttons on her sweater came out of the corner restaurant and walked over to me saying, "I just had to come over and give you a hug for doing this. Several restaurant patrons had made derogatory comments, which she had overheard about the folks waving signs and she just wanted to come out and give us a "positive response". What a wonderful thing she did!
About 1:30 pm. the ferryboat, MV Coho, arrived from Victoria, BC just a couple of blocks from where we stood. RVs and other vehicles poured off the boat and up the street towards us. Then came six adults carrying rolls of heavy paper in their arms. They parked their wheeled suitcases near our corner, unrolled their signs, and stepped forward with outreached hands for a handshake and introduction. We couldn't believe it!!! These folks had come all the way from Victoria, BC. with their homemade signs to "stand with us". What a feeling of inspiration and support they gave us.
Their signs said: "Canada loves Obama", "Victori-us for Obama", "Canucks 4 Obama". One lady said "We need America to once again lead by example". My reply was "And we need Canada".
What a day!! Thanks for reading!
Jan Dennis