Bob Dole earned the gratitude of the country and my family

Bob Dole greeted my wife Sally and I during a 1992 visit to Washington, D.C.

I raise a salute to Bob Dole, the former U.S. Senator from Kansas who died Dec. 5 at 98 years old.

U.S. politicians were refreshingly united in praising Dole’s contributions to our country, from his heroic service in World War II to nearly 30 years in the Senate and more besides as a Republican leader.

The New York Times compiled praise from U.S, leaders:

“Bob Dole was a man to be admired by Americans,” President Biden said on Twitter. “He had an unerring sense of integrity and honor.”

Former President George W. Bush said: “This good man represented the finest of American values.”

“I will always remember Bob’s salute to my late dad at the Capitol,” Mr. Bush added, referring to his father, former President George H.W. Bush, who died in 2018, “and now we Bushes salute Bob and give thanks for his life of principled service.”

Former President Bill Clinton said on Twitter Dole dedicated his life to serving the American people, “from his heroism in World War II to the 35 years he spent in Congress. After all he gave in the war, he didn’t have to give more. But he did. His example should inspire people today and for generations to come.”

Dole was a champion for the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., helping to secure funding for the project, which was completed in 2004. He often visited the memorial on Saturdays, when veterans would travel to Washington on Honor Flights.

Bob Dole also was much appreciated by many in the nutrition community.

The Food Research and Action Center said in a statement that “hunger in America would be far worse without Senator Dole’s bipartisan efforts.”

The group noted that Dole teamed up with Senator George McGovern (D-S.D.) to improve the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. The Dole-McGovern Food Stamp Reform Act, passed in 1977, strengthened and expanded participation in the program, the statement said.

Dole had a personal connection to my family. 

My mom, 10 years younger than Dole, also was born and raised in Russell, Kan.

My father Carl Karst was born on a farm 25 miles south of Russell, near Galatia, Kan. 

Entering a career in the Air Force after ROTC at K-State, my father was a pilot of the O1F reconnaissance plane in the Vietnam war. He went missing in action on November 1968.

Dole was an advocate for families of prisoners of war and the missing in action and certainly showed our family extraordinary support when my dad was missing.

Dole was an early and ardent supporter of the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, according to an article on the University of Kansas Dole Institute of Politics website. He attended a May 1970 event at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. that attracted 1,000 family members of MIA/POW servicemen, including my mom.

In May 1973, Dole attended the dedication of a “freedom tree” in honor of my father at the Russell, Kansas- MIA Memorial.

My father’s status was changed to killed in action in 1974, but his remains were not returned to the U.S. until 1989 and then positively identified in 1993. 

In a tender and meaningful gesture toward our family, Sen. Dole attended my father's graveside ceremony in October 1993 at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Bob Dole did so many things to lift up so many Americans. His generous spirit toward our country and my family is what I will remember.