Tim Pontius, RRT

As it has for the past 18 years, this trip to Washington, DC, triggers mixed emotions. It is the morning after the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) Legislative Conference, and former President Ronald Reagan lies in state in the Capitol Rotunda as mourners wait for hours to pay their respects. I am flooded with a sense of sadness in the passing of a great American, yet buoyed by pride and gratitude toward my country and fellow man.

Shouldn’t I always feel that way? you might ask. The fact is, 1 week ago, I was grumbling to my fellow employees about going to Washington and dealing with the traffic and many meetings in and around legislators’ offices on Capitol Hill. After all, I’m a busy guy, right?

But a funny thing happened over the next 48 hours. First, I experienced the joy of walking into meeting rooms and seeing friends I had not seen in months. That was revelation number one.

The next morning I had the opportunity to share breakfast with Sen Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark). The following day, I had the same experience with Sen Michael Crapo (R-Idaho). I listened to these high-profile legislators talk about their personal experiences in dealing with health care in general, and home care in particular, and another blinding flash of the obvious hit me. These are folks just like you and me. They have families, “real” jobs, homes, and they make extreme sacrifices to become elected officials.

As I walked down the hallways of the House and Senate office buildings, I could see excitement in the faces of virtually every group. My personal visits with Rep Hobson (R-Ohio) and Sen Voinovich (R-Ohio) were no different. These legislators care and we can make a difference! That was revelation number two.

As the conference ended, a few good friends invited me to go with them to Constitution Avenue to view the procession for President Reagan as his casket was brought to the Rotunda. I stood in the crowd, watching lines form six and seven deep. As each group of military units marched into position along the parade route, spontaneous bursts of applause eruped from the crowd. The honor guards and processional seemed to evoke a profound sense of respect and patriotism in all that watched. My heart truly ached as the limo bearing the former First Lady crept by and that small tired hand waved to all those who came to pay their respects.

And now, as my plane takes off for home, I look down and see the acres of white crosses and flags in Arlington National Cemetery—and I could never be more proud to be an American. That’s the final revelation—for now.

I truly am thankful for every company and individual who gave of their time and resources to come to Washington, and for every one of you who has assisted in writing letters and making phone calls to your legislators in past months. But the fact is, we need many more of you to get involved!

Become an active member of your state association and AAHomecare. Write the letters, make the phone calls, and yes, make that trip to Washington to spend a few precious hours on Capitol Hill. Is it a sacrifice of your time and resources? You bet! But somehow, after the past 3 days, it seems like such a small price to pay.

Tim Pontius, RRT, is chairman of the American Association for Homecare.