Tuesday, January 29, 2008...Carteret County...Woke up to views of the intracoastal waterway and boats raised above the tide for winter. God's creation is so wondrous I can only give thanks for such beauty and precious resources. Campaign beckons - breakfast, media visit, Sheriff Asa Buck hosted Fred for a conversation about what Fred says is government's most important role - providing citizens with safe streets, safe homes and safe schools. At noon we were at Golden Corral for the Rotary lunch; Fred was the guest of John Talbot Capps - a lifelong friend. Their parents worked together at the orphanage and they were next door neighbors on Aycock Street. After the Rotary we ate lunch with a small group including Rev. Michael Fields from Parkview Baptist Church. Michael chairs a network of 164 Baptist ministers in Carteret County and extended an invitation for Fred to come speak to the Baptist men. He and Fred also knew each other from years ago when Fred taught a Sunday School class at First Baptist Church in Clayton for couples - Michael and his wife were in the class. We headed to Carteret News for another interview and John T did more parking-lot politicking than anyone I know. From there we headed to the Boys and Girls Sunshine Club. The children had an award for Fred for his public service. He shared a few minutes of what it means to be a public servant and then the young people asked questions about what skills he needs, is reading important, and has he ever met John Edwards. Fred learned well from his father- he's a good teacher. Fred left the children to head to a fundraising event while we set up at West Carteret High School. The cafeteria was filled with over 200 guests who gave Fred a standing ovation before he ever started to speak. They broke for applause at least a dozen times. I can't speak for Fred but I'm headed home tired and exhilarated. Carteret - Touchdown! Thank you!