Letter: Being a good neighbor is legacy

Wednesday, March 10, 2004 | 8:59 a.m.

The first time I met Mike O'Callaghan was when my father took me to feed the homeless. I was assigned to pouring coffee alongside Mr. O'Callaghan. As an impressionable teen, I followed his example -- service that was efficient, warm and always with a smiling "Good Morning." After we were done, he shook my hand and told me I did a good job. As we left, my father told me that the man I just met was the former governor of Nevada -- I just knew him as a nice guy.

Soon after, my family moved to a new neighborhood so I could be closer to school. The O'Callaghans were our new neighbors. I remember playing basketball with my brothers and Mr. O'Callaghan would drive up next to us to say hello and see if I'd hit a shot. I remember going to church on Sundays and feeling a pat on the shoulder. I'll always remember talking with Mr. O'Callaghan in his family room; his door was always open.

When I read about the wonderful things Mr. O'Callaghan had done as governor and for so many people around the world, I'm not surprised. But I never knew him as a politician (I was 2 when he left office), but as a friend. How many of us take the time to talk to our youth, be a role model, or just say hello?

Those of us who knew Mike O'Callaghan will miss him, but his legacy must live on through our daily lives as we all try to be good neighbors.

VINCENT THOMAS, M.D.