An American Patriot

This is a blog post I have struggled with, however I am pushing myself to write it now- given that we just celebrated the 4th of July.

Personally, my politics have changed quite a bit over the years. Once a staunch party line Republican who even founded the Bibb Young Republicans (it would default after I resigned as Chair), I now see myself more as a moderate and even perhaps as a Democrat. But that’s really neither here nor there, except to say that at the time of September 11th- my politics were very different than they are now. And yet, my feelings from that day have not changed much.

The day of September 11th, I was a freshman at Mercer University. I was in class when we heard about it, and we begged our teacher to let us turn on the tv. We would rush from the second floor of Stetson to the 1st floor to a conference room where a projection screen as large as the wall showed the first tower falling, and I heard Dan Rather’s stunned voice speaking. The rest of the day is still a blur- I remember going with a friend and calling the Red Cross to see if we could organize a blood drive: they were already flooded with calls to do the same. American Patriotism showed no lack of support that day, and for many days to follow.

In the years since, patriotism has taken many different forms. I think many times we forget the unity that we all felt that day. I like to think about Pat Tilman, the NFL player who would decide to enlist in the military and subsequently give his life for our country. This person I will now tell you about reminds me of Mr. Tilman.

I don’t remember Nick very well, I know that we shared a lot of the same friends, he was exactly a month younger than me. But when I heard about his death overseas, fighting for us, it took me back to when we were all freshman at Mercer- together. It’s stunning when someone your own age dies, regardless of how, but it takes on another meaning when this persons life was given essentially for your own safety. It’s humbling. There are not enough words to say thank you to his friends and family. This is my own, rather poor, attempt at such.

I interviewed my old friend Daniel, we were in that class together when September 11th happened, to tell me more about Nick:

Make It Work Molly: Tell me about Nick, what was he like? What was your own interaction with him?

Daniel Day: Stop for a second and think about the most reliable, honest, and charasmatic friend in your life.  That was Nick to everyone who knew him.  I first met Nick on Mercer’s Bid Day in 2001.  Garrett Ratcliff and I were getting ready to accept our bids when we ran into a guy with a handful of offers.  He was contemplating which fraternity to join and it didn’t take long for us to realize why he was such a sought-after guy.  We hung out for about an hour and he decided to join the SAE pledge class with us.  I had no idea how important that brief run-in would be.  Nick had a tremendous impact on my life, as well as many others.  He embodied selflessness.   He was magnetic.  Younger members of the fraternity modeled themselves after him, and he’s the friend who, to this day, I strive to be.

MIWM:  What compelled Nick to join the military after college?

Daniel: Friends often make fun of each other and what was frustrating about Nick was that we had no dirt on the guy.  He was squeaky clean.  Because of this, we started calling him Captain America.  The joke was that he would get his pilot’s license, join the military, and then become the Mayor of Newnan.  Soon after, he would become the Governor of Georgia.  By the end, we would argue who would hold which position in his cabinet when he was elected POTUS.  Nick loved his country.  Some people say that, but Nick lived it.  We weren’t surprised when he said he was joining the Air Force.

MIWM: Tell me what it’s been like to lose Nick?

Daniel: On the night of February 18th 2012, I got a message from Rick Barnes (Nick’s childhood friend) asking me to call him.  I remember my heart sinking and stepping outside on my balcony.  In my head, I was prepared to hear that Nick had either been badly injured or had won some kind of award.  I called Rick and he gave me the bad news.  Standing felt uncomfortable, so I sat down on the wet concrete.  Before I could start processing what I’d just heard, I had to deliver the news to Nick’s Mercer family.  Fast forward to the day after the funeral.  I was driving back to South Florida from Atlanta and my brother called to ask how I was feeling and I filled him in on the emotional extremes.  My eyes were still sore from crying, my stomach still hurt from not eating, and I still had a hollow feeling that I couldn’t shake.  I told him I was convinced I would experience the same emotional extremes if I had lost him.  Nick was that close to me.  He was like a brother.  To this day, I get choked up thinking about it.  I was so privileged to have had a friend like Nick in my life, as he was one of a kind and could never be replaced.

 

For those of you not aware, a foundation has been established in Nick’s honor: the Captain Nicholas Schade Whitlock Foundation. It’s purpose is to give outstanding students either at Mercer or planning to attend Mercer the chance at a scholarship. And of course, it is a way to honor Nick’s memory.

 

MIWM: Why was the foundation started in his honor? What do yall hope to accomplish with it?

Daniel: Simply put, this foundation was created to honor Nick and what he stood for as a family member, a friend, and an American.  We want people to look back on his life and to be inspired to do something with theirs.  All proceeds go towards a full scholarship to Mercer University for high school seniors who excel in academics, sports, and leadership.

 

There also happen to be two events coming up from the foundation:

Daniel: The Atlanta event will be held at The W – Buckhead on July 26th from 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM.  There will be live music, an open bar, and light hors d’oeuvres.  Cocktail attire is suggested and tickets will cost $100/person, or $150 per couple.  The event will also have a silent auction.

The Macon event will kick off Mercer University’s first football weekend in 72 years.  The event will begin on August 30th at the Armory Ballroom from 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM.  There will be live music, an open bar, and heavy hors d’oeuvres.  A silent auction will take place with items donated by the Atlanta Falcons, Charlie Daniel’s band, and many local businesses.  Cocktail attire is suggested for the event.  Ticket prices will be $100/person.

Also- there will be a tailgate at the Mercer football game the next day. You can go here for more info and to buy tickets:

http://whitlockfoundation.com/first-annual-patriots-ball-and-tailgate/

There are many events that I am telling yall about, and they are all worthy. Many are at this same time of year. But this one for me is different. I struggle to explain it- Nick was not someone I knew well. He and I were the same age. We were both members of the Greek community as is his wife- both attended Mercer. And while I consider myself to be a good American for many reasons- he was more of a true American Patriot than many I know. To give your life for a greater good, for your country, to protect others, is a kind of selflessness that I think many of us don’t have anymore. It’s something that transcends the words I can place here. And that is why I say this is my very poor, very humble thank you. To Nick, to his family to his friends, to his wife.

I will be attending these events, and I certainly hope you will as well. If you cannot, I would urge you to make even a small donation to this foundation- as a way of saying thank you to someone who gave himself for us.