Witnessing history at the GOP Convention

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A day before the official start of the 2016 Republican National Presidential Convention in Cleveland, there was an electric feeling in the air that buzzed through your body. People scurried through the streets but purposely not too fast so they could still look around to see who might be there or say hello, howdy, hiya … and smile and nod to anyone who passed by.

As airplanes from every part of the country landed at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, there were friendly, helpful greeters throughout the multi-million dollar remodeled terminal, eager volunteers such as Shannon Barnhart and Rosita Turner helped guide delegates and visitors, individually, from the time they arrived to the moment they found their bags and obtained transportation.

It was still the weekend, and the formalities at the Quicken Loans Arena would begin on Monday afternoon. There was still time to connect with friends, compare invitations to the seemingly countless meetings and functions that were either educational or purely social. Delegates, alternates, guests, the press and others were scattered throughout a bustling, proud host city, in suburbs close by as well as in lodgings some 60 miles or more away.


There are many here who came just to be a part of the scene and take photos with anyone ‘important’ ambling by. A majority were to be disappointed not to get into the Q or other invitation-only meetings and parties while others just loved the scene as one woman from Georgia told me: “Just to be close to history in the making will be something I tell my grandchildren when they’re enjoying freedom and prosperity.”

Security is at a premium with thousands of officers stationed on foot, on horse, with canine, on bicycle, in vehicles and on the water, and they were there to closely inspect credentials. People were not even wandering in and out of hotels since credentials were necessary.

As Republican convention attendees passed by law enforcement officers from Ohio, Texas, North and South Carolina and other states, they thanked them for their service. On the heels of the officers’ assassination in Baton Rouge and Dallas, the outpouring of sincere appreciation for the tough job law enforcement do was evident on every corner of the city.

A spectacular welcome event at the Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and other venues on the magnificent complex lit up the waterfront and beckoned thousands who entered, one by one, after security screens by the Secret Service.

On the line to the events, there were foreign and domestic press eager to report the flavor of the evening. Most telling to some of them was how positive and upbeat the delegates and visitors were, and how quickly they were elated to announce their allegiance to the Trump-Pence team since, as a stalwart female delegate from Texas donned full patriotic garb (the uniform for most) and the official Texas delegation cowboy hat stated, “We live in perilous times and need that leadership for the sake of this country’s future. The GOP is going to unify and take back this country!” as others nodded enthusiastically.

On Monday, the convention opened and most states and organizations held a breakfast as they would throughout the week, with some featuring guest speakers. New York GOP Chairman Ed Cox heartily welcomed more than 500 to his event at the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel with a star studded line-up including Newt Gingrich and American conservative commentator, television personality, and newspaper columnist Larry Kudlow.

New York’s GOP leaders were present including State Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan (R-East Northport), Assembly Minority Majority Leader Brian Kolb (R-Canandaigua), Congressman Peter King (R-Seaford), State Republican Executive Director Jason Weingartner and staff, U.S. Senatorial candidate Wendy Long, GOP county leaders, officials and others. The camaraderie was vibrant as everyone acknowledged that they would be witnessing history, and all were unified in seeing Donald Trump be nominated for president.

Yet, despite reports by some mainstream media, the delegates and others including the fabulous ladies of my own organization, the National Federation of Republican Women, the largest and most prominent Republican women's organization (NFRW) in the country and solidly behind the Trump-Pence team,  never for a moment wavered in enthusiasm as they headed on bus and foot towards the Q.

Their red, white and blue attires provided a patriotic splash to the backdrop of a beautifully maintained American city dotted with magnificent statues and a fascinating blend of historic and contemporary architecture, boutique shopping and eclectic restaurants. It was now time to head to the Convention to listen to women such as NFRW President Carrie Almond, RNC Co-Chairman Sharon Day, Congressperson Joni Ernst, and future First Lady Melania Trump and other speakers including Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke, Former Mayor Rudy Guiliani, survivors of 
Benghazi and parents of slain children taken by illegal aliens and others honoring the first day's theme, "Making America Safe, Again!"

Schockett, a Woodmere resident, is an elected officer of the National Federation of Republican Women Executive Committee, member-at-large, and immediate past president of the NYS Federation of Republican Women.