By Charles McClure
news@ltview.com
A while back, a youthful political hopeful gave me a ring to “feel out” the community, as well as your local newspaper editor.

Such calls are commonplace for newspaper editors. Politicians are forever seeking the favor of the press — not that they will get it from your’s truly. For me, favor is earned by actions.
I explained that I believe contested elections are always good for a community — they flesh out issues and problems. That is always a positive thing. But then he mentioned something about “I understand that to be elected, you have receive the endorsement of some dude named Charles.”
Well, I couldn’t help but chuckle under my breath. But I kept my composure, and explained that I did not endorse candidates — publicly or privately, adding that no one probably gave a hoot about what I thought, and only seldom express political opinions publicly. I explained that it was my hunch that the “Charles” being referred to was more likely to be Charles Edwards, who along with his wife, LaNell, have served this community in more ways than most of us are even aware of. Moreover, they have served our nation with an unyielding dedication rarely seen in our modern world.
I make it no secret that I have a deep and abiding love for this community. In my 30 years in journalism, I have only seen three other communities with such a sweet spirit as the one found here.
Okay — I admit it. I am partial to my readers. Regardless of political persuasion, or socio-economic standing, I have simply never been so warmly embraced. These are the private matters of the heart that I take to my prayer closet and thank God for placing me in such an outstanding community.
Yet facts are facts, and the fact is that Charles and LaNell have done so much for this community that one can’t help but stand in awe of all that they stand for. I understand folks like this couple.
Life isn’t about politics — it is about service. The Edwards personify this truth. I make no bones about it — they are role models in my eyes. And, as it turns out, we have friends in common from their military days. That doesn’t really surprise me — as I have said, I always seem to gravitate toward veterans.
Whenever the call to service comes, Charles and LaNell are the kinds of folks that step up to the plate. So when I learned that she would be the Marshal of the Lakeway Independence Parade, suffice it to say, I was very ecstatic for her. It was an accolade long overdue.
During last Saturday’s pageant, she gave a history of how the entire Lakeway parade had come to be, now dating back 33 years.
LaNell was given this honor because she has been a tireless volunteer for the annual event — easily the highlight of the year in Lakeway.
I love Charles and LaNell Edwards, but moreover, I respect them. Better still, they are mentors for folks like me who are willing (and wanting) to soak up as much knowledge as possible from their vast experiences.
So to my young political hopeful, I would offer a bit of advice. Mentors are a good thing, I am constantly in search of mentors. It is not about political persuasion — it is about learning from those with more experience who can teach us who are younger how to conduct our lives.
Yes — I consider them friends — but they are still my elders and deserving the respect simply based on their proven track record on this planet.
Unlike many journalists, I got into this business the old-fashioned way — I apprenticed into the job.
I am still an apprentice when it comes to life. I look to those I admire — the Edwards, the Bob and Ann Neighbors the Mike and Sandi Bostons, the Bill Chandlers and so many others of this community. Why? Because I want to learn about life — even though I am now the grandfather of three.
So I have a message — a constructive one for my young political hopeful. Seek out your elders. Soak up all you can from them. Throw political ideology to the wind. Be patient. If you want to change the system, work within it. Pay your dues. Earn the trust of the community and your elders. And along the way, you might just learn that lesson which is most important — how to be a good person. And if you (or I, for that matter) can pull that off, then we will have accomplished something special indeed.
I would leave each and every one of you with this thought: You get what you give — and you give it for free.
P.S. Congrats, LaNell!