Here is Betty Bean's Dad talking to Harold Ford Jr. at today's early voting kickoff rally in Knoxville.

Betty was so excited to bring her Dad to the rally so he could meet Congressman Ford. Despite the dozens of people vying for his attention, Harold Ford Jr. took the time to talk with Mr. Bean and he was attentive. I don't know what they were talking about, but I'm guessing that Mr. Bean shared some advice from a long lifetime of experience, and that Harold Ford Jr. listened.

We talked with Mr. Bean for a moment after the rally. He told us how he joined the Army in WWII and got assigned to the Signal Corps, and how he wanted to go to Europe to fight the Nazis but regretted that he didn't get the chance. He was admiring my camera, and mentioned that he had a Nikon F100 but that his favorite was his Rolleiflex. He is a sweet man, who reminds me of my Dad. It's obvious where Betty Bean gets some of her character.

And here are Madeline Rogero and her granddaughter with Congressman Ford.

Madeline's granddaughter is as cute as she can be. Perhaps today's rally, which she took part in on the main stage, will help inspire her to follow in her grandmothe's public service footsteps. Future Mayor of Knoxville perhaps? Or better yet the Governor's office or the United States Senate?

East Tennessee is blessed with wonderful people. It's nice to see folks from our Greatest Generation and our Next Generation all in one place, coming together to help make Tennessee and America a better place.