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92-Year-Old and Carrying the Olympic Flame
As the Olympic torch passes through Idaho for this year's games, it's worth noting that among those carrying the flame will be 92-year-old Jamie Thomson of Boise. "I was told there were over 1000 people nominated from the Boise area. I don't know why they chose me," Jamie told a member of my staff. Jamie was nominated to carry the flame by both his wife and daughter. They know why they nominated him, but I think I know why he was chosen. Jamie is an old friend and quite a character. He always has a bright smile and a kind word. If you measure a man by how much he gives back, Jamie Thomson would be nine feet tall and a winner hands-down every time. It's no wonder he is one of the chosen few to carry the Olympic torch. Until last July, when he was 91, Jamie was the owner and publisher of the Idaho State Grange newspaper. He sold the business in order to take on some new challenges like running with the Olympic flame. Jamie was born Montana ranch in 1909 and credits much of his longevity to clean living and staying active both mentally and physically. "My dad didn't smoke, drink or chew and, when he explained it to me, I thought that was good advice and just a great way to live," Jamie says with a laugh. His activities also include political involvement. "A friend of my dad's, a saddle and harness maker, was running for county commissioner and he asked me to hand out some literature to the ranches in the area. I don't know if he was a Republican or a Democrat, but I've been involved ever since," he said. As a younger man Jamie left the ranch to play football at the University of Minnesota, where he majored in physical education and business. After college he played minor league baseball, worked in the tire business, and eventually landed a job as the general manager of the Boise Braves, then part of the Milwaukee Braves, in the old Pioneer League. He and his bride Helen have been in Idaho for 49 years. "Now," he says, "I guess you can call us natives." The Thomsons were married when he was 38 and she was "33 or 34." "We got married late but now we have four children, three boys and a girl, three grandkids and one great-grandchild on the way. I'm proud of all of them," he says. These days Jamie walks a couple of blocks a day and thinks about that moment when he carried the torch through the Gem State. Jamie's long and healthy life says a lot about the future of our nation. The fact is that people are living longer and healthier lives. Consider this last year alone Hallmark sold nearly 90,000 "Happy 100th Birthday" cards. Wow! The growth in this one category of greetings contains an important message for all us. For those young enough to plan for retirement, the time to prepare for the future is now. Jamie Thomson sets a good example for all of us. Congress can also help through tax changes that encourage people to save for their retirement, and we will continue our work to strengthen and protect Social Security and Medicare. But the rest is up to each of us, so that we can enjoy with grace and dignity the kind of life Jamie Thomson inspires us to. As Jamie remembers his moment with the Olympic flame, I'll be thinking about what type of card to send him for his 100th birthday!
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