Republican National Convention - 2004
by
Linda Solterisch
First of all, I want to thank the 13th District for selecting me as a delegate. I was honored and proud to have been selected, and to find myself shoulder to shoulder with politicians, dignitaries, and celebrities.
Upon my arrival Sunday, August 29th, I was shuttled down to the waterfront to board a cruise hosted by Mike Bouchard. As we cruised down the Hudson River, the sun was setting behind the New York skyline. Ellis Island came into view, and then the Statue of Liberty. She stood there with arm uplifted holding the flaming torch. I thought, “This is why we are here… to protect everything she stands for.”
VIP Speakers Morning and Evening
Each morning from 9 to 10:30, the Michigan delegation held a breakfast at our hotel. Our Michigan speakers included Terry Land, Candice Miller, Mike and Laura Cox, Betsy DeVos, Joe and Sandi Knollenberg, Mike Bouchard, Mike Rogers, and Peter Hoekstra. Some of the guest speakers included C.J. Watts, Spence Abraham, and Mitt Romney.
On Monday through Thursday, the evening sessions of the convention started at either 7 or 7:30. Michigan had prime seating on the convention floor--center stage, one section back. My three favorite speeches, besides President Bush's, were Zel Miller's stinging speech, Arnold Schwarzenegger's “Land of Opportunity for All,” and Rudy Giuliani's memories of the 9/11 attacks and comparison of Bush to Winston Churchill.
Community Involvement
I took part in a project organized by Holly Hughes called “Compassion Across America.” Fifty of the Michigan delegates boarded a bus to Queens, where we painted playhouses for disadvantaged children. We arrived at the warehouse late because our bus got lost. U.S. Congressman Pete Hoekstra was on our bus. 
When we pulled over at a factory to ask directions, the teamster gave Hoekstra a Kerry bumper sticker! Finally, with a police escort, we found the warehouse. We had just missed Gov. Bob Taft and Liz Cheney who had been there painting. We finished about ten playhouses complete with curtains, furniture, and toys.
One of the fun activities was a scavenger hunt hosted by Betsy DeVos. Each team had nine members, including its captain. My team captain was Betsy DeVos.
We had to run around Manhattan deciphering clues, gathering trivia, and photographing our team at each designated spot, before returning to the China Club for a BBQ. Our team didn't win, but it was a lot of fun, and I saw many landmarks.
Thursday afternoon I had some free time, so I went on a bus tour of New York. I found myself at Ground Zero. Here I got off the bus and walked completely around the perimeter where the World Trade 
Centers used to be… now just a gaping hole. The only form standing above the hole is a huge cross that was shaped and formed from the melting iron of the North Tower. There was an old man sitting there on the ground in front of the cross playing ”Amazing Grace” on his flute. It was very sad!
Pride in Michigan & the Future of America
I came away from this convention excited and energized. As a delegate, I was so proud to be from Michigan. Everyone just gave us special attention and was extra friendly. The other states' delegates all want to help Michigan anyway they can. We are very important to Bush!
As an individual, I came away with a sense of passion and patriotism regarding our country and its survival as a safe, strong, and secure nation where my children and grandchildren can grow up and live.
Linda Solterisch, grass roots activist and resident of Grosse Pointe Park, was a delegate from Michigan's 13th district to the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City.