Sorry this is after Veterans Day, I was out of town where I lived until the last 14 years. I bought my home here 26 years ago always with the intention to retire here.
Anyhow, my brother who was three years younger than me, passed away about in 2019. His name was Lenny Nowicki, and he was always registered as a Republican. He was a Vietnam veteran.
In Vietnam he was stationed at Danang Air Force Base - where he coded and decoded messages. He graduated from Poly High School in Baltimore. We were so glad that he was not out in the jungle. However, they sprayed Agent Orange around the base to defoliate the grass etc. Troops there were poisoned by Agent Orange and developed ALS late in life. His last couple of years were horrible as he was on ventilators, etc. I need to say here “He was not a sucker and loser”! He was drafted and served his time and duty! He also did not become a draft dodger by claiming “Bone spurs in my feet.”
Finally, several years ago he called me. I have always been a Democrat and ended my career working for U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski as her state director. He said “Betty I guess I want to tell you some good info. I was having trouble getting my income tax refund. I called Bob Ehrlich’s office, a Republican congressman, and never got a response. I then called Senator Mikulski’s office and got a call back the next day and the woman told me she would have to send me a form to sign so the senator’s office could get into money issues. I signed it and two weeks later, my refund was deposited in my bank account.” I said, “so Len - what is it all about?”
I honor the veterans who served in our country’s wars in the past and are serving now. I also am worried about my country. During my 76 years I have never experienced anything like the last four years. We no longer try to negotiate on items and work something out. Actually, there are constantly efforts to separate us.
When my brother called Mikulski’s office, they did not ask if he was a Democrat. No, Mikulski told all of her staff to say their name and ask “how can I help you?” You paid taxes toward our salaries and we owed you our honest help to solve the problem!
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