The Pen Is Mightier

Norm MacDonald spoofed Bob Dole and his habit of always carrying a pen in his right hand. Well, there's a story behind that.

Via Sen. Bob Dole's wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Dole

In 1942, Dole joined the United State Army's Enlisted Reserve Corps to fight in World War II. He became a second lieutenant in the Army's 10th Mountain Division.

In April 1945, while engaged in combat in the hills of northern Italy, he was hit by German machine gun fire in his upper right back. His right arm was also badly injured. As Lee Sandlin describes, when fellow soldiers saw the extent of his injuries all they thought they could do was to "give him the largest dose of morphine they dared and write an 'M' for 'morphine' on his forehead in his own blood, so that nobody else who found him would give him a second, fatal dose." He had to wait nine hours on the battlefield before being taken to the 15th Evacuation Hospital. He began a recovery that would last until 1948 at Percy Jones Army hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan. His right arm was paralyzed; Dole often carried a pen in his right hand to signal that he could not shake hands with that arm.

Dole was three times decorated for heroism, receiving two Purple Hearts for his injuries, and the Bronze Star with combat "V" for valor for his attempt to assist a downed radio man.

Bob and Elizabeth Dole attended the Memorial Day Services at Arlington National Cemetery, and later, Mr. Dole spoke to veterans at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall. He was a key player in raising funds and organizing efforts to get the Greatest Generation a memorial they so greatly deserved. At 86, Mr. Dole, though moving much slower, looks to be in fairly good shape. Both the Doles were quite poised this afternoon despite the heat and humidity that rendered me exhausted (and I wasn't wearing a suit). I have always been a fan of Elizabeth Dole's since Junior year of high school. No particular reason, aside from her being a hard working gal making her way in a man's world. Anywho, was thrilled to see them at the ceremony this afternoon!