My Hero: Bruce Castor

marcoujor

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​For the readers and friends who faithfully follow my weekly musings, this post may appear far outside my writing realm.

​I'm hoping you will vote for Bruce L. Castor  as District Attorney if you live in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

Please read on and share my post far and wide - even if you are a 'virtual' neighbor.  We need all the inspiration we can find and I'm about to tell you about my hero, Bruce L. Castor.

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Bruce Castor

WHEN I FIRST MET HIM 



​As Chief Nursing Executive of Norristown State Hospital in 1995, I attended the monthly Board meetings where I met Bruce L. Castor. He was appointed a Trustee of Norristown State Hospital by Governor Ridge and subsequently,by Governor Rendell.

 At that time, Bruce served our County as First Assistant Districe Attorney.  Despite a demanding schedule, he faithfully attended and actively participated on behalf of the chronically mentally ill population - both hospitalized and living in our community. 

​It was inspiring to see the decency, compassion and sensitivity in a 'politician' - who seemed more like a 'humanitarian' in my eyes. 

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Some history

As many of you know, I was shot six times at point-blank range during the Norristown State Hospital hostage incident in June of 1999. 

I was blessed in the grand scheme to have survived, while my beloved colleague, Carol Kepner, was fatally shot at the end of the 46-hour stand-off.

Imagine the renewal of my belief in advocacy, courageous nobility and hope, when I shook Bruce L. Castor's hand in the Montgomery County Court House - just a few years after the most horrific 46 hours of my life.  

​From start to finish of the criminal trial of the perpetrator, Bruce became my personal hero. In 2000, as District Attorney of Montgomery County, Bruce exemplified the role of 'my knight in shining armor'. ​

Bruce....the Humanitarian

Bruce and Elizabeth Pierce Castor

Bruce is the real deal. What you see is what you get... and I got to witness and benefit from -- the two sides of Bruce!

For me, my family and the Kepners, Bruce was the 'decent, compassionate and sensitive' man I remembered from our days at those Norristown State Hospital Board meetings.

Yet I learned that Bruce is quite human.  He was outraged at the travesty that had occurred in June 1999.  He showed no tolerance for the fact that Carol Kepner's beautiful life had been taken and the physical and emotional injuries I had sustained.

With the sentencing of the perpetrator, I finally felt a sense of peace and safety.  I knew that the justice system could be just...

...as long as a man like Bruce L. Castor is working for victims of senseless crime as District Attorney.

​ADVOCACY AND VICTIMS SERVICE CENTER

I've kept in touch with Bruce.  I was proud when he was honored for his advocacy towards victims of abuse and sexual trauma by Montgomery County's Victims Service Center.

I was honored to volunteer in various fundraising committees for Victims Service Center with Bruce's wife and our County's First Lady, Elizabeth Pierce Castor.  

Elizabeth's inner beauty transcends naturally to the physical surface.  Her heart is huge with a devotion to 'doing what needs to be done for the right reasons'.

This Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd...

Bruce is once again asking us to let him serve as this County's Chief Law Enforcement Officer.

I am only one of the countless persons who have been touched by Bruce L. Castor's love of the rule of law.

Hoping to see you at the polls voting for our next Districe Attorney, Bruce L. Castor...

​See you next week at the 'virtual' victory celebration...

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