The late Bob Dole was a war hero and Senate icon. Those who
knew him said he had a good sense of humor, too. I witnessed it one night at
the Wichita Country Club in his home state of Kansas. My employer was hosting a
small dinner there with Dole as our guest, just after his loss in the 1996
Presidential election. Senator Dole was engaging and occasionally funny that
evening. Political views aside, anyone capable of humor while suffering with such egregious war wounds his entire life deserves our utmost respect.
A few of us decided to have a nightcap in a private lounge back at our hotel. Well, we started singing a little bit. Not me, of course. I’d never do such a thing. That’s when Dole walked into the room looking for a bottled water or coffee and, instead, found us. The look on his face was more amused than bemused. I invited him to join us for some warbling. He laughed, considered the possibilities, started to walk toward our small group, and then thought better of the idea. He wished us good night. We almost reeled him in.
