Over the 4th of July weekend, and feeling ultra-patriotic, Nancy and I joined friends on a trip to Trump Winery for lunch and wine. If you’ve never been, the entranceway to the property is lined with literally a thousand American flags, so you can’t help but feel proud to be an American, and it’s like you expect Lee Greenwood to pop out and start singing “God Bless the USA.”
We had just taken our seats at a table with a spectacular view of the vineyards when Nancy said, “We know that man.”
I turned around and it was Newt Gingrich with his lovely wife, Callista.
I couldn’t help myself and hopped out of my chair and dashed over to meet who I consider one of the great Americans of my lifetime.
“Mr. Speaker, can I shake your hand,” I stuttered.
Newt was quite gracious; we did indeed shake hands and he introduced me to his wife. I concluded that I genuinely appreciated his service to our country and went back to our table, thrilled to have met one of my heroes.
Newt was a Professor of History at the University of West Georgia when friends encouraged him to run in Georgia’s 6th Congressional District in 1978. He won, and it was the first time ever that a Republican had claimed that seat. Newt was later elected Speaker of the House – the third most powerful position in American Government, where he co-authored and sponsored the famous “Contact with America” in which he out laid out his goals and platforms, then proceeded to accomplish each one – including balancing the budget of the United States. To do this, he always worked closely with the loyal opposition.
Speaker Gingrich was as genuine in person as any politician could be. As people passed by, many stopping to speak to him, he was both gracious and friendly.
What a great way to celebrate the 4th of July and what a great man he was and is.
