This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon: August 25, 2008 - Hello. My name is Akeam Ashford, and I will be joining thousands of Americans in Denver as an elected delegate for Hillary Clinton from Springfield, Mo.
I am a junior at Missouri State University where I major in broadcast journalism with a minor in public administration. I grew up in University City but went to McCluer North High School.
This convention is very important to me because of my time spent in Iraq. I served with the U.S. Army Reserves as transportation sergeant with the Iraq 2nd Motorized Transportation Co. I have seen firsthand the difficult policy decisions and life changes made by our men and women on the front line.
I believe that the Obama campaign will make this convention about change from the past, with hope for the future. I look forward to bringing you a ringside seat on the floor of the convention -- and hope that you enjoy this historical moment with me.
Editor's Note: Come back to the Beacon throughout the day and evening during the Democratic convention to get updates from bloggers and our reporter, Robert Joiner. You'll get similar coverage and blogging from the Republican convention.
Denver, Co--The morning began with a rather bizarre schedule. We were to be at breakfast no later than 7:45 a.m., and, as everyone knows, college students like me love to party late and sleep in. We are staying at the Embassy Suites Tech center, which is about 25 to 30 minutes from downtown Denver.
The morning breakfast was all about solidarity and unity, judging from the sight of all the Obama-Biden buttons and the smiling faces of friends. It's our job to deliver the state of Missouri to the Obama campaign.
John Temporiti, chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party, challenged each delegate with being patient, persistent and passionate throughout the convention.
We must be patient with fellow delegates, he said. He wants to make sure that Hillary delegates like myself feel comfortable in a convention for Sen. Barack Obama. He emphasized that we are a family, with a common purpose as Democrats in the state of Missouri.
Persistence? Each delegate must take leadership in communicating what the Democratic Party believes to be the American dream. The American family, said Temporiti, must be the top priority of Democrats across the country. Our passion comes because "We all love America," said Temporiti, "because we all know that anything in America is possible."
This story is part of the Beacon's coverage of the Democratic National Convention in Denver. To read the rest of our stories, click Convention Coverage.
Sen. Claire McCaskill brought a message of unity, saying the Missouri Democratic Party has never been so unified or quite so focused on a goal. McCaskill said, "History will be made this week by you, the delegate."
As we all know, Claire owes much of her Senate electoral success to rural Missouri. The senator spoke respectfully about the voters there and how they can also help elect Sen. Obama president.
She mentioned Obama's offices now open in Christian and Howell counties, counties Democrats are not even supposed to compete in. McCaskill asked, "Have you ever seen such activity in rural Missouri?"
U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay welcomed each delegate to Denver -- and a historic week in Democratic history.
The congressman spoke about his father, Bill Clay, who in the 1960s fought for equal rights, and how he, Lacy, feels a sense of accomplishment in a long and hard fought journey out of racism.
Party unity did not take back seat at the breakfast, and I believe it will be the focal point of much of the convention.
I spoke to several Hillary delegates who believed it would just take time to heal the wounds.
I didn't get much of a reaction to Sen. Joe Biden's selection as the running mate, but I'm sure I'll eventually hear a few.
I'm going to take a break for the morning, head toward downtown Denver around 1 p.m., grab a bite to eat, make my way through the extensive security lines, and get into the convention center.
We're all looking forward to McCaskill's address tonight.