From the course: How to Become a Purpose-Driven Journalist

Lessons in serving the public in government

From the course: How to Become a Purpose-Driven Journalist

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Lessons in serving the public in government

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- My parents are my personal heroes. They've been married for 50 years. My father was drafted during the Vietnam War as a doctor and then stayed in for 30 years. What I've learned from them is the power of public service. My father could have left the army and probably made a lot of money as a doctor, but he chose not to do that. He chose to stay in the army because he cared deeply about his country and he cares deeply about public service. So I think from watching my father serve in the military and be deployed, every time I interview someone in public service, and that includes those who serve in Congress and President of the United States, I remember that they are giving something to this country in the form of public service and they deserve our respect and our admiration even if we disagree with their politics. They're engaged in public service and beyond those people, how about the millions of people that serve in our government for not always a lot of money, but do it in the service of this great country. And I as a journalist, they deserve our respect and admiration for the work that they do. Many of them sometimes are whistleblowers in exposing corruption, but many of them are doing it because they love this country, they love serving other Americans. And so from my father, I really did learn a deep appreciation about those who serve their public in government, and do it not for a lot of money but do it because they love this country and they love the work that they do.

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