Horn for Congress Blog
Dinner at the Red Blazer with Franklin Mayors!
We had dinner last night at the Red Blazer in Concord with Ken Merrifield (current Franklin mayor) and Tony Giunta (former Franklin mayor). Great company and an excellent meal!
The best part, however, was our tour of the new boiler system at the Red Blazer. Tony is the CEO of AMENICO (American Energy Independence Company) - his company oversaw the installation and implementation of the new system, which has led the Red Blazer to an 80 percent energy independence!
They are burning recycled vegetable oil(a waste product from their own kitchen)in a specially fitted boiler. The system takes the used oil directly from their fryolaters to a holding tank. Here it waits to be fired up in a Buderus boiler. The system is efficient and produces no waste products. The restaurant now is able to heat all the hot water needed to run their operation and heat the building.
Soon, once they add the generator to the system, they will be 100 percent off the grid!
This is exciting for so many reasons - energy independence is about so much more than just not burning fuel. Sustainable energy independence is a security, economic and environmental issue and it is long past time that we get serious about achieving this important goal.
I think the system at the Red Blazer is exciting because it is so accessible - it is affordable, will pay for itself in less than 18 months and is easily applicable in many other circumstances. According Tony, we are not far away from being able to implement similar systems in our homes and offices. All of this progress has been achieved through the open market of ideas and business, without government subsidy or mandate.
Watching how excited Tony and the folks at the Red Blazer were about their energy independence made me realize that most people would be willing to convert to alternative fuel systems once they are affordable and easily implementable. That's why developing them through the free market is so important.
Mayor Giunta shows me the state-of-the-art boiler system at the Red Blazer
Discussing energy independence with Mayor Merrifield and Mayor Giunta
Fabulous Capone House Party!
We hosted a House Party for Jennifer this past Friday night. It was our first time doing something like this and while it seemed a little daunting at first – it really ended up being fairly easy and a lot of fun!
While Jennifer was addressing our friends, it was very refreshing to hear her message of getting back to electing people who really have the best interest of their neighbors at heart. There were many questions on a variety of topics after she was done speaking. She has a way of making people feel really comfortable expressing their opinions to her and addressing questions she is asked.
It was a great evening and we are excited to have helped Jennifer raise money for her campaign!
Gold Star Mothers Event
No campaigning this morning - I have a good friend who is a Blue Star Mother x 2, invited me to attend the ground breaking for the Gold Star Mother memorial in Manchester, followed by the installation at the Armory.
Over the years I have been honored to meet, interview and even become friends with many military family members; moms, wives, sisters, husbands, fathers...these are the forgotten heroes of freedom. No one else can ever imagine the depth of their sacrifice.
Every day that we live in freedom, a child goes to school without his mother's embrace to send him off. A wife sleeps alone, praying throughout the night that the phone will not ring. A mother waits patiently for a call, a note, an email, from her son or daughter.
When the military is deployed, families around the country learn how to live, and sleep, and breathe even though they are not whole.
This mornings ceremony was particularly poignant because it honored those mothers who have lost a child to war. There were so many of them there - and too many more who could not be there. World War II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and of course, many young mothers from the current war.
Always we must be aware of the sacrifice that pays for our freedom; those who serve away from their families for months or years at a time, those who live every day hoping to hear from a loved one far, far away, and above all others, those who willingly lay down their lives in defense of their nation.
A mother can endure no pain greater than losing a child - the honor of knowing that your son or daughter died a hero does not take that away.
We must never forget the sacrifice of those who make it possible for a democracy such as ours to even exist.
Terry Davis, President of Mass. Gold Star Mothers Organization and Past President (1997-98) of the National American Gold Star Mothers Organization
Major General Kenneth R. Clark, Adjutant General of the NH National Guard
Paid for and Authorized by Jennifer Horn for Congress