Our volunteers leader, Erik Rison, sent me a link to let me print tickets to see Mitt Romney at 12:00 noon, on Tuesday, June26, 2012  at Carter Machinery at 1330 Lyschburg Turnpike in Salem.

The doors opened at 10:00 am. My son, Jerry and I went there earlier, we saw police, volunteers, security officers. Everyone needed a ticket for the event. There was a security screening door. When we waited in a line to enter the security check door, a Roanoke Times reporter took my pictures, but I did not see them in the newspaper next day. I wore giant American hat and Mitt Romney’s picture on my t-shirt with a Republic elephant stuffed toy. Jerry was already tired of waiting for the door to open, but he liked the security check.

After we enter the door. Wow! you see a backdrop of a battlefield-size American flag suspended from two pieces of Carter Machiney. the chairs around the stage were for Carter Machinery employees. Nearly 1,500 people stood behind the gates. My son, Jerry and I were two of the people in the crown. They gave away bottles of water for everyone. The gray-uniformed Carter employees held signs saying “Romney Believes in American”, “Virginia counts on coal” “Romney 4 President”. When I stood there, a guy took so many shots for my pictures. He said “He is New York Times”. Wow! I will be in New York Times if my picture is published. I told everyone, friends, and co-workers about what was happening there.

When Carter Machinery CEO Jim Payker introduced Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney at the Romney Rally. Romney said “U.S. can restore its greatness”. After his speech, Candidate Romney greeted supporters, shaking hands, and signing autographs. I am one of lucky people. You see! What did I get? My son, Jerry and I got to shake the hand most likely of the next President of the United States. I got photos taken and signed autographs. He signed my envelope that from Romney to my home address. It was pretty cool! cool! cool! Please do not be jealous. When I go back to work, everyone asked me about what happened. They want my picture with Mitt Romney. My co-worker, Eva said ” Annie, I saw your giant American hat and your small face on TV”. Unfortunately, I did not see by myself.

Submitted by Annie Lin