I wish that my inaugural entry here didn’t have to concern something so tragic, but I wanted to also post a few thoughts on Kent’s passing.

I had the opportunity and pleasure to know Kent for almost three years, starting when I joined Dr. Paul’s congressional office staff as a staff assistant in September, 2005, and Kent was still working as Executive Director of the Liberty Committee. Most of my interaction with him during those initial days centered on helping him get Dr. Paul’s office ready for luncheon meetings of the Liberty Caucus and occasionally taking material to other offices to get more Members of Congress to come. As time passed, I had the chance to talk to him quite a bit, and I have many good memories from that time. (Including Kent’s obsession with the movie V for Vendetta. When it first came out, it was all Kent could talk about, and he repeatedly asked me and everyone else in the office if we had seen it until we finally did!)

About seven months after Kent left the Liberty Committee and took on the job of Campaign Chairman for Dr. Paul’s presidential run, I started talking to him about coming on to work for the campaign as a writer. Coming directly under Kent’s employ presented me with the chance to see up close his tremendous work ethic, as well as his deep commitment to everything having to do with Ron Paul. Debates about the campaign strategy used will rage on for years, but I can tell you that Kent was 100% dedicated to Dr. Paul and his opportunity to win the White House.

My work on the campaign also frequently brought me into encounters with Kent’s editing pen. For him, it was always about the story. From that belief came the “Discover and Imagine” series, where we showcased exactly how Dr. Paul had valiantly stood for individual liberty and responsibility in Congress despite severe opposition. It’s already been noted elsewhere that he had written his M.A. thesis on Dr. Paul, and he hoped to one day use that along with the “Discover, Imagine” material to write a book on Congressman Paul and his record. Kent was at heart, I believe, a writer - he saw everything in stories, and was always curious and seeking to expand his knowledge. His mentoring on writing was invaluable to me, and I doubt I will ever write anything again without utilizing the principles he taught me.

It has also been repeatedly stated in the past few days how Kent was a calm in the storm, and no matter what situation I brought to him (and no matter how much that situation was worrying me at the time), he had a reasoned, logical answer developed from a rational approach. I will miss his friendship deeply. The Revolution will miss his involvement tremendously. Although our victories will be slightly bittersweet because Kent and others who have gone before will not be there to see them, it is their work, leadership, and dedication that brought us to where we are now, and it is only appropriate that we finish the fight for them.