Campaign rest includes taking in Boot Camp graduation

Mike and his family took a few days off from his daily visits to the doors of voters in the 66th District in his quest to meet every voter in the district to watch his son, Brian, graduate from Navy Boot Camp at the Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes Ill.

It was fitting that the family took the time off on Labor Day – a day dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers that pays annual tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country – to take in the special day filled with pride, military drill and precision.

As a working family where both parents work, Mike is well aware of the obstacles facing the middle class as companies, with the help of the government, look for the absolute rock bottom in wage costs as they continue to offshore jobs and assets in the race to the bottom.

As a father of four children with all four in college at one time, he is well aware of how hard it is to achieve the American dream in the quest for a college education. Mike will fight for those values in Lansing.

Seeing the photos of Mike and his family bring memories rushing back to me as I remember my parents coming up to Great Lakes to watch me graduate from boot camp on an oppressively hot day in August 30 years ago. The pride I felt that day remain with me to this day, and I wish Brian fair winds and following seas on his Navy career.