Horizons of Heroes Read online

  Cameron was so furious at the hatred shown to him that he got into his car and headed back to Seattle. As he drove along the highway, he thought how he would tell the General Counsel that he was quitting his new position as a lobbyist. Cameron drove approximately 20 miles when his thoughts turned to his father. Did his father ever quit? No! This was horrible, however this was nothing compared to how horrible it was for his father and all the other Tuskegee Airmen in World War II. So, Cameron turned the car around and participated in the meetings the next day where no one said a word to Cameron.

  Turning the clock forward five years, Cameron became the president of this business lobbyist organization, where he determined where the meetings would be held (no discrimination clubs) and where he would have the final word on how much money all candidates for state office would receive. Of special note, Cameron was elected and re-elected as president for ten years in a row. No one before or since served a longer term than Cameron. These years in the business legislative history would come to be known as the golden business years. Business thrived in the low tax environment. Job growth exploded and salaries increased. Cameron effectively focused the election of pro-business candidates.

  By now the Price household had expanded to three beautiful children: Sage, Anthony, and Mark. Michelle loved being a mom and loved her children. Holding each child, Cameron knew this was what God had in store for him. His children were so precious. They looked absolutely adorable. He took turns dancing with them. Music had definitely changed from the Motown love songs, but the 1960s music still captured Cameron’s musical heart. The kids loved to be held by their father as he danced with them. It was now 1985. It would be very difficult to select the number one song for the 80s, but here is round up of Cameron’s top three songs:

  1.USA for Africa, We are the World, Michael Jackson

  2.Michael Jackson, Billy Jean, Epic record Label

  3.Whitney Houston, Saving All My Love for You, Arista record Label

  Cameron, lying on his back, held one of his kids from his shoulder above his head and would take turns flying the kids in the air to his favorite music saying Superman or Superwoman. The kids screamed with such pleasure.

  He taught Sage, his daughter, when she was 14-month-old, a game to impress his relatives and friends. “Sage,” he asked.

  “Yes, DaDa”

  “I understand you know calculus?’

  “Yes, DaDa, I know calculus.”

  “No way, you are too young to know calculus.”

  “Yes, DaDa, I know calculus.”

  “Okay, spell calculus for me.”

  “C,A,L,C,U,L,U,S,” said Sage.

  “Well, maybe you can spell calculus, but you don’t know how it works.”

  “I do DaDa.”

  “Ok Sage, what is the square root of 9?”

  “That is easy DaDa, everyone one knows it is 3.”

  “Ok Sage, what is the derivative of 9?”

  “That is easy too DaDa, it is 0!”

  Sage not only impressed friends and family but she went on to impress her high school math teachers where she graduated near the top of her class and she was seated number one in her freshman math class in College.

  Cameron and Michelle purchased a large $210,000 4-bedroom home in an all-white upper-class neighborhood. Sage and their two sons, Anthony, and Mark loved, the big back yard swing, hot tub, and sauna that Cameron had built. Sage was so cute and the boys were so handsome. They played in the hot tub where Cameron told them amazing stories about a captain on a space ship named “No-butts” in a galaxy far into the future, who battled aliens to keep the last piece of American freedom alive.

  “Daddy, tell us another story,” they asked while splashing hot water.

  Their neighbors were really friendly and one neighbor walked up to Cameron, who had just gotten out of his car in the drive-way, and said “I saw the darndest thing at your house a few minutes ago.” “I always thought when you move into a house, items move into the house. Well, when I saw items being moved out of your house, I went to investigate. I saw three men jump into a large green truck when the saw me and they took off quickly.” Cameron and Michelle had been burglarized. Cameron wished that he could have been there when the burglars had entered their house. From law school, he learned that you cannot put a loaded spiked spring gun to impale burglars’ hell bent on breaking in and stealing your things, but a crouching 4th degree black belt would be a different story.

  Cameron didn’t lose that much thanks to his watchful neighbor.

  Fortunately, they were able to replace all the stolen items with the exception of the irreplaceable beautiful stereo system that he had purchased in the Philippines.

  Cameron had a special note to minorities: in many ways, the stock market is like a math class. If you do your research on a company trending sales forecasts and management skills, your investments like the answer to a math question does not discriminate. “Invest and make big returns is the key to getting out of the discrimination maze thereby allowing you to do what you want to achieve.” It is the key to self-actualization. Michelle countered and said to many people, “Cam, money is not important. It is religion and the belief in a higher power that are important.” “Absolutely,” said Cameron, “but you need food and shelter which can be a challenge in many communities.”

  “Cam, Big El is on the phone.”

  Big El and Susan, called Cameron and Michelle with the exciting news that they had a boy named Jack. They said he was a big handsome baby with a great big smile with blonde hair and blue eyes.

  “I couldn’t think of a better name than Jack,” said Cameron. “Let’s get together soon buddy.”

  Cameron’s life as a Fortune 500 Corporate lobbyist was great. He practically had an unlimited expense account eating at expensive restaurants and drinking the finest of beverages. He had access to the company’s Lear Jets. He took Michelle and his three kids whenever possible with him. They stayed in luxurious hotels and resorts.

  By now, all the lobbyists and legislators knew that Cameron was a poor golfer and an easy mark to make money. Cameron became known as the oilman. Every shot he took, he dug enough dirt out of the ground where everyone expected a gusher of oil to come shooting out of the ground. They made lots of money off him until another organization that he chaired, embarrassed to see Cameron’s old 1950s golf clubs, bought him a full set of deluxe golf clubs and a golf bag. Slowly Cameron’s golf game changed to where he started to break even on his wagers.

  One of the most powerful lobbyists in Washington State had special words for Cameron when they were alone. “Yes boy,” I think this is the best approach, or “no boy,” we don’t want to that.”

  What an insult this was to Cameron. He knew he should tell him to cease, or knock it off, but he never said a thing. Cameron always looked him in the face and politely smiled at this most overtly racist man in his lobbying circle. Instead of pushing Cameron to fail, it motivated him to succeed by being one of the best lobbyists. Where some might falter, this was reminiscent of the grocery store owner near Tuskegee trying to whip Cameron’s father, Dan, during flight school. Dan never backed away and now Cameron never backed away.

  Cameron also learned, if you want to be better than a good lobbyist, you must save your corporation a ton of money. Cameron thrived in Olympia, quietly winning legislative issues favorable to his company.

  The General Counsel of his corporation proudly shared Cameron’s legislative achievement in Washington State with the Board of Directors and the CEO. Subsequently, Cameron was promoted and given total lobbyist responsibility for all fifty states.

  The good news was that Cameron received a salary increase but the bad news was that he had not received any additional staff and he began to lose influence with the power lobbyists in Olympia who could no longer count on Cameron’s help on pressing legislative battles. Cameron might be in Montana or West Virginia when battles were being fought in Olympia. He learned to quickly figure out solution
s by contacting key legislators and lobbyists resulting in favorable legislation being enacted. These days reminded him of the rapid-fire pace in the Philippines where he tracked the advancing movement of enemy targets. Life as a fifty-state lobbyist now was very challenging for Cameron as he did his very best to make ever minute count.

  Cameron was turning into a power lobbyist. Interestingly, being a corporate lobbyist for a big corporation was an outstanding career move for Cameron. Most people do not know what they want to do when they grow up. Becoming a lobbyist was like a duck finding water. He loved politics and he loved changing or modifying laws that other attorneys had to follow. Cameron had found the perfect job.

  Chapter 11

  Cameron’s Six Degrees of Separation

  “Hi son,” said Cameron’s father. “I would like you and your family to join us on a family reunion with our Canadian relatives. Children of Debra, your great grandmother Aretha’s cousin, moved from Washington State to Canada years ago in search of better jobs and to escape bigotry and racism. They are going to have a family reunion at the Fairmont Hotel in Vancouver, B.C.”

  “Sounds fun dad. I will talk with Michelle and get back to you.”

  Michelle thought it would be a fantastic opportunity to meet a side of Cameron’s family that they had never met and their young kids might have the opportunity to take in the world-famous Vancouver Zoo.

  The next month, they followed Cameron’s father and stepmother in their car through the Canadian Border station and into Vancouver. The hotel was nice and there were wonderful areas for the kids to play and explore.

  All the relatives were so kind and hugged Michelle, Sage, Anthony, Mark, and Cameron.

  The banquet room was filled with delicious appetizers, main courses of steak and rack of lamb, lobsters, and sweet desserts.

  All the relatives knew that Cameron’s father was a jet pilot in World War II, having served with the famous Tuskegee Airmen. Everyone was so proud of Cameron’s Father. Dan was a decorated Tuskegee pilot who took no crap from anyone. When you put your life on the line day in and day out to fight Italian and German pilots in the name of freedom, listening to racist comments anywhere was not tolerated. Dan had told many disparaging souls to burn in hell. Cameron was so proud of his father.

  The Canadian relatives were also very proud of Cameron as he was the first in the clan to graduate from law school and become a corporate lawyer.

  Cameron and Michelle were so happy to meet their relatives. One special young lady who was so beautiful was their step-cousin Monica. She told them of their journey to Canada and the activities of many of her relatives.

  Cameron learned of Debra’s difficult path to freedom in Canada. Canadians were much more tolerant of blacks; however, jobs were not plentiful and high paying jobs without an education did not exist. Heavy fork lifters, yard workers, and shoeshine men were jobs that were more readily available. If one had the talent, entry into the entertainment field was possible.

  Another relative asked Cameron, “while I’m certain many of our laws are different, would it be okay if I called you about questions I have on starting a business?”

  “Please do,” responded Cameron.

  Cameron was so happy to meet his Canadian relatives who looked so much like him. What he learned next nearly floored him.

  In life, there is a prophetic statement that says we are all related to each other by six degrees of separation.

  Cameron had just learned that he was a distant relative, make that a step-cousin, of one of the most famous guitar musicians of all time, Big Quincy Noble who had died in 1970. What a journey it had been for two single black women in 1908 from Marshall, Texas to travel to Seattle where one would have a grandson that would help win World War II as a Tuskegee Airmen and the other moved to Canada and had a step-grandson who would be recognized as one of the greatest left handed guitarists in the world. Debra’s daughter moved to Vancouver and would eventually marry a gentleman who had two sons, Big Quincy Noble and Sebastion Rock.

  Michelle and Cameron also learned that their step-cousin, Sebastian Rock, was the lead singer in a famous Canadian Band which was playing later that evening in Gas Town. They were given tickets and Cameron’s father and stepmother said they would watch the kids.

  The rock concert took place in a huge auditorium that was completely sold out as fans eagerly paid high prices for scalped tickets. When the music started to play, it was raw and upbeat. The kaleidoscope of colors flashing around the room were beautiful. The fans cheered! Everyone was ready for a big party tonight.

  Cameron’s step-cousin sang his heart out and the audience showed their appreciation by clapping and dancing to his music.

  During the final set, Sebatian held a mike, said “Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so proud to have many of my relatives from America here tonight.” “Family, please come up on stage and join me.”

  Michelle, Cameron, and several other relatives walked up to the stage with the crowd cheering.

  Sebastion began to sing his number one signature song, Love, and the crowd went wild. He danced and the music played on.

  Michelle was a very good dancer, and Cameron danced to the funky beat of the music and then something happened. Cameron had been away from karate for five plus years, but he had not forgotten his karate dance moves. It was a special slow-motion movement where Cameron’s lightning fast kicks and dance steps combined with Sebastion’s throbbing beat of beautiful music sent the crowd in a raging roar of appreciation.

  Later Cameron’s cousin asked, “where did you learn to dance like that?”

  Cameron said, “I am a 4th degree black belt with an attitude.”

  “I want you in my shows,” he said with a smile.

  On the drive back to Seattle, Cameron thought about his wonderful Canadian relatives that he met and his famous distant cousin, Big Quincy Noble. What if he had lived longer, he thought? What would his next great song be like. Cameron actually started to put his code breaking skill to the task, when he came to the conclusion that his guitar playing step-cousin, Big Quincy Noble, had played his best music, he had died, and he shouldn’t try to alter anything.

  Chapter 12

  A Tuskegee Airman’s Adventure following World War II

  The Tuskegee Airmen in World War II were not just good or damn good pilots, they were they best! The experiment to see if these black pilots could fly resulted in major victories in Africa, Italy, and Germany. White bomber pilots began requesting these black pilots to protect them on their bombing flights. Historical documents indicate the Tuskegee pilots never lost a bomber. Maybe one or two, but from staggering bomber losses to nearly none, these Tuskegee pilots deserve a gold star in history for helping end World War II. Eventually, their heroic efforts resulted in President Truman signing Executive order 9981 on July 26, 1948, directing equality of treatment and opportunity in all of the United States Armed Forces. This was a significant step toward racial integration throughout the United States of America. On March 29, 2007, President George W. Bush and Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the Tuskegee Airmen. Speaking on behalf of the Tuskegee Airmen, Dr. Roscoe Brown, a former commander of the 100th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group, thanked Bush and the House and Senate for “voting to award this medal collectively to the pilots, bombardiers, the navigators, the mechanics, the ground officers, the enlisted men and women who served with the Tuskegee Airmen.”

  As the years passed following World War II, Cameron’s father Dan kept in close contact with his Tuskegee friends. Approximately 14 Tuskegee airmen lived in Washington State and they frequently stopped by to visit him. Many more airmen from nearby states also dropped by for regional Tuskegee reunions. Cameron listened as the men shared their great flying adventures. He also heard how difficult it was for these men to provide for their families following their military careers.

  Dan owned several planes following his service in the Air Force. He owned several Piper and Cessna single engine plane
s as well as two amphibian planes. His favorite was his Piper 400 Camache with 4 seats, low wings, all metal, light aircraft, retractable landing gear, and could carry 130 US Gallons of fuel before providing for additional fuel storage containers. The base price for a 1964 Piper 400 Camache was $28,750. He loved flying and enjoyed his many fishing and hunting adventures throughout the state of Washington and Canada.

  After years of hearing of white men and white women flying perilous journeys around the world, Dan decided that he would embark on a flight around the world.

  “Son,” said Dan, “our country needs black heroes. I think I am up to the challenge of flying a single engine plane around the world. It may be very difficult but I know if anyone can do it, I can do it. I am going to call it, ‘an air excursion around the world in a single engine plane by a Tuskegee Airmen’.”

  Cameron wanted to join his dad’s adventure but his young family and work schedule were too much responsibility to break away for that amount of time.

  Dan meticulously chartered a course from Seattle to Greenland, Europe, Africa, Asia, and on to Seattle. To raise publicity for this event, he wrote a letter to the Scientific Journal to see if they would commission him for the pictures he would take along his journey as well as the story he would write. Dan thought it might take several months to hear back from the magazine. What shocked him was he heard back in less than a week. He received a short one sentence letter that said, “No,” and not even a “no thanks.”

  Dan had the funds, so he decided to go on his adventure without any endorsements.

  David, Dan’s youngest brother, jumped at his brother’s invitation to join him on the historic aviation journey. David asked if he could take his oldest son, Brent. David thought this trip of a life time might motivate and inspire his son to achieve his greatest dreams. David firmly believed that even one great life experience could shape a person’s life. If they successfully flew a plane around the world, the experience could make a huge positive difference in their lives and it might stimulate others to make a real difference in society.