ROBERT LINCOLN-SON OF ABE Good morning. My name is Robert Lincon. I am one of my Fathers four sons. As the oldest of my 3 brothers, I had a unique opportunity to spend quality time with my dad. I was just a little boy, following my dad around like a lost puppy, as he did various activities ranging from playing with cats to testing new firearms. No matter what, he would always have a smile on his face. I always loved that smile; partially because as I grew older that same nostalgic smile faded. Once I grew into my young teenage years, I see now why that smile faded. My Father did honest, good work such as building railroads and fixing fence lines, to provide for us. I saw how much those jobs drained him, but at the end of the day, I knew the work would stay outside the house. After he started pursuing his true passion, which was to be a “down-to-earth”, humble politician, the new work, which was previously left outside, was now engulfing my dad. The countries’ problems became his problems. While I understand the importance of his job, and the time-consumption associated with it, I still always yearned for more time to spend with him. I do not fault him, nor hold any grudge against him for that, it just simply makes his passing that much more difficult to process. The one thing I wanted from him….time…. was stolen. Nonetheless, my father inspired me to be the man I am today. Almost everyday, I heard him say roughly the same thing, “I am not bound to win, but bound to be true”(LINCOLN). I saw, first-hand, these values and morals he used to make the best decisions possible. He inspired me to go to law school to uphold those same values. He inspired me to be a Captain in the Army, to uphold those same values. And he will continue to inspire me as I trudge into the future, upholding those same values. Dad… you were taken too soon… but rest in peace knowing I will not tarnish the Lincoln name.