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March 26, 2008
Hi folks,
I just celebrated my 68th birthday this year--and I continue to be amazed and grateful for my family's many blessings. According to society, I guess it's time for me to sit back on my accomplishments and let others pick up the torch, but I'm just not ready to do that in any area of my life. There's still a lot of ground to be covered.
I do agree that being active and materially blessed at this age gives a man unique opportunities. I can make choices that are good for me and others--the very reason I chose to be a part of this project.
All of my family grew up in rural America, a place where hard work is rewarded, friends are always ready to lend a hand to someone in need, and they still believe in the "original" Golden Rule--"do unto others...". That's why I can't ignore what is happening to hard working folks all across this country--but especially in rural America. Most have worked just as hard as I have, and love their kids and grand kids just as much as I do--but they've had some bad breaks. If their jobs are going away--along with their pensions in many cases, their hospitals are being closed, and they are struggling to meet their basic needs--I have to do what I can to help.
I've spent a good part of my life in York County, Pennsylvania, which is often referred to as the "biggest little industrial city in the country." Twenty to thirty years ago, anyone in York could get a good job, because there were factories everywhere. In the last few years, I've had to watch friends and family lose their jobs as factories closed, and many lose the pensions which they were relying on for retirement. This hit really close to home when my wife Jean saw her pension wiped out from the job she had before we moved to Nashville. Fortunately, we weren't relying on her pension for retirement, but there are many who aren't so lucky. Add in the uncertainty of Social Security, and many working folks all across America are in a tough spot.
That is what the project is all about. Some have called it "a call to action for rural America." Me, I'm just trying to follow the Golden Rule.
Thank you for your support. I hope this music moves you to find a place where you can help--even if it's just at the voting booth.
Del McCoury
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