Ivan — One of America’s Finest

Posted on 24. Sep, 2008 by Karen in Family and Friends, Politics

Since July I have been hosting Ivan (pronounced “e-van”), a young Obama campaign organizer in my home. At the time I got the call asking if Ivan could stay with me, I remember thinking “It’s the least I can do”. To me, being a campaign “den mother” beats the hell out of being a hockey mom any day of the week.

What I didn’t know is that I would learn so much from this 25-year old who is the ultimate steward of democracy. You see, Ivan was born in Bulgaria and immigrated to the United States with his family when he was just a young teen. Since then, what he’s learned about our government puts most of us to shame. There’s nothing like getting a lesson on what the stars and stripes really mean than from someone who grew up under the red flag of communism.

Ivan is now a U.S. citizen and he lives that status like his life depends on it. And in a manner of speaking it does. Because Ivan knows what it’s like to have a government that doesn’t always recognize the needs and desires of “we the people”. He knows that we have a chance in this presidential election to refocus our country on what’s important to the many instead of the few.

As he goes off each morning to work 16-20 hour days on the Obama campaign, Ivan’s enthusiasm and hope is never affected by poll results and negative news commentary. Why not? Because he believes in an America changed for the better. So Ivan for all you do, this song’s for you:

 

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7 Responses to “Ivan — One of America’s Finest”

  1. Rockin' Rod

    25. Sep, 2008

    Karen,

    A most wonderful post. I’m sharing it with my friends and associates. Please tell Ivan that when I was a little boy my father encouraged me to see heroism in the actions of everyday people. “You’re allowed one hero a day,” he said, and today that person is Ivan. In fact, for the rest of September and well into October that person is Ivan. And on November 5th when we are dancing in the streets, the person who is my personal hero will be Ivan and all the other folks who are working for a new America, an America that recognizes the worth and value of all of it’s citizens and visitors, an America that doesn’t condone torture as a family value, an America that can once again stand proudly together with our allies and friends around the world!

    God’s blessings upon you, my young friend and Hero!

    Rod in DC

  2. phhhst

    25. Sep, 2008

    Awesome post. Thank Ivan from all of us.

  3. Ann

    25. Sep, 2008

    Nice message for today Karen. And I’ll bet you can get me a couple of Obama signs too? Our favorite chiropractor needs one too!

    And is that our friend Rockin’ Rod from DC?!?

    Ann

  4. Karen

    25. Sep, 2008

    Rod–thanks for your comments and for sharing this post. Ivan was so surprised that I wrote about him so I know he’ll be touched by what you’ve said here. But humbly so which is his style and that of many of the other young campaign workers I’ve met. BTW–see our friend Ann’s comment below.

    phhhst — Ivan will be reading the comments when he gets in at 1 or 2am. Maybe he’ll write back to you himself.

    Ann–Per Ivan, signs came into the campaign office yesterday and were gone by the end of the day. But I’ll put in a request for you from the next batch-maybe Ivan can deliver. And yes that is Rockin Rod from DC.

    Thanks all for what you’ve said about Ivan.

    Karen

  5. Catherine

    26. Sep, 2008

    I’m happy you used the video I sent you in such a productive way!

  6. Karen

    30. Sep, 2008

    Catherine–this has become a instant favorite of mine!! Thanks so much for sending it. I’d been thinking about doing a post on Ivan and this song inspired me to get it up because he’s such an inspiration.

    Karen

  7. Ivan

    30. Sep, 2008

    Thank you all for supporting Democracy and the Campaign for Change!! Thank you Karen!

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