DAN BREWSTER: THE TRIUMPH OF PERSONAL VICTORIES OVER PUBLIC LIFE The passing of Dan Brewster marks a story of personal courage over the image and seeming "victories" of public life. Born with the silver spoon of family heritage, this interesting individual brought lessons for us all. As an early summer part-time helper when he was first running for the U.S. House, I learned the real and the image surrounding public life when driving Dan Brewster to political meetings. My father's encouragement to "help Dan" also helped me to see the complexities, and sometimes unrealities of a busy public life .

As Senator, Dan attracted attention when he ran as stand-in for President Lyndon Johnson during a heated primary when the segregationist George Wallace saw Maryland as a test of the political climate for the future of civil rights. He was what one might today call a "compassionate moderate": almost an endangered species in today's political world .

But the real story of Dan Brewster has been at the personal level. Son Gerry has said it best in describing Dan's devotion to his country and his rising above the challenges of alcoholism: " It wasn't a perfect life. He made mistakes and had setbacks, but he became an inspiration by overcoming those mistakes."

A second memory of Dan Brewster was tied into my volunteer work as a new Board member of the Maryland State Fair, continuing a tradition begun by my father who directed the agricultural education programs at McDonogh School. Dan and Edwin Warfield, then Adjutant General of Maryland, assembled a "Friends of the State Fair" volunteer cadre of citizens. Dan, Ted Warfield and others mobilized these citizens to block commercial development of the nearly 100 acres that provided an agriculture education center and, for many city dwellers, their only exposure to farm life and live cows, horses and young kids off the farm to show these animal and compete for the coveted blue ribbons. Dan served as President of the Fair's Board of Directors; he was a quiet but true leader who set the tone for a tradition that continues with today's Board President and management: Grove Miller,Cecil County farm and civic leader, and Max Mosner Executive Vice President/General Manager.

Just this past spring, at the Grand National Hunt Race, Dan and I had what was to be our last conversation. In addition to his usual tweaking me for being a naval officer/ 6th Fleet navigator, instead of the Marine Corps, we talked about how he was doing in what we described as his "health department". Instead of concern or complaint, his simple observation said it all : "Feeling less than perfect is just part of life; but being here to watch the horses and see friends , makes the other stuff less important."

Dan's strength to cope with life's personal challenges had an undergirding by heroism in World War II Marine Corps landings on the Pacific islands of Guam and Okinawa. Sharing those challenges and helping Dan has been his special partner and wife, Judy, whom he met at a recovery center. Their story together is one of inspiration and strength for all who knew them; truly, Dan and Judy have worked together to translate the "before" challenges to a positive "after" story in both their lives.

When the scorecard is finally totaled up, it is the personal victories and private accomplishments that are the most real . As has been said, real character and strength is demonstrated when "no one is looking". Daniel Baugh Brewster has been a live demonstration of that strength.

Labels: Dan Brewster, Maryland, Spiro Agnew

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