Press

JIM OGONOWSKI TO JOHN KERRY: WELCOME TO MY HOMETOWN DRACUT

30th May 2008

(Westford, MA) – Jim Ogonowski released the following letter today in advance of John Kerry’s appearance at the Merrimack Valley Central Council Legislative Dinner in Dracut, Massachusetts:

Dear John,

Now that it is campaign season, I’ve noticed you have begun to spend more time in Massachusetts and will be visiting my hometown of Dracut today. Since I believe you have not been here in a very long time and have not spent much time here, I thought I’d give you some background on the town and my experiences in it.

My family has roots in the Merrimack Valley that span back over a hundred years. My great-grandmother and her four children first emigrated here from Poland in 1904 to pursue the American dream. For nearly two weeks, they sailed across the Atlantic and like so many before them; they greeted Ellis Island with great hope and optimism.

She settled right in Lowell and purchased the first family farm in Dracut and raised her four children there. Her oldest son, just a few years out of his teens, started Holy Trinity Polish Church on High Street. After a few years, the youngest, my grandfather, settled on the family farm in Dracut--a farm still in our family today. My grandfather stayed on that farm his entire life. He raised my Dad and his brothers and sisters there.

In 1948, after my Dad returned home from his service in the Army Air Corps, he purchased the second family farm in Dracut. My Dad had a job as a union truck driver and he purchased his farm just to run as a second job to put the kids through college. And all five of us did. Three of us went to the University of Lowell and I followed in my older brothers footsteps by joining the Air Force ROTC program. My brother purchased the third family farm which I took over and still run to this day.

For 28 years, I had the honor and privilege to serve our country in the Air Force. Every day I take pride in knowing that I have played a part in securing freedom around the world. Service to country has been a family tradition. My two grandfathers were in the military. All my uncles, my father, brother and sister have all served. I am proud that the family tradition lives on as my son Charlie is also in ROTC program at the University of Lowell and he too will one day be a military officer, and the 22nd member of my family to serve.

As you can see, we have strong roots in the Merrimack Valley. This has always been my home. This is where I have raised my children and hope that they too will raise their children. We have real problems here and throughout the rest of the state that need real solutions, not more political lip service. We need a strong leader willing to make bold changes that benefit the hard working men and women who get out of bed everyday in pursuit of providing for their families, just like my ancestors did. The time has passed for us to tinker with the problems and hope for better outcomes. We need someone of character and courage.

I hope you enjoy your stay in Dracut.

Sincerely,

Jim Ogonowski

For more information on Jim Ogonowski, go to his website at www.jimogonowski.com!

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