A Tribute to Roger J. Norton

[J. Beckert]

Congratulations, Roger. I don't think most folks know what an undertaking starting this forum was and continues to be for you on a daily basis. Started under adverse circumstances, with fires occasionally having to be put out, attention paid to the content to keep it acceptable to school children, spam, lunatics and opposing viewpoints have all been a daily chore that you have and continue to bear to provide what has become the pinnacle of research sites for the topics that are posted here.

You're always a scholar, gentleman, the politest man on the internet and I'm proud to call you my friend.

Thank you.

[Angela]

Roger, thank you so much for all you do for us! You help people create new friendships through a common interest and teach us all so much! Well deserved to have your name there!

[Rob Wick]

Roger,

From the first time we "met" on the old Abraham Lincoln Online site in the early 1990s, I carried the utmost respect and admiration for you. Your knowledge and enthusiasm were not just inspiring to those who came through your classrooms, but to us as well who also are your students. You deserve the honor.

Best
Rob

[brtmchl]

A great tribute to a wonderful and deserving man. Congratulations Roger.

[Dave Taylor]

Roger,

You have been one of one of the most supportive friends I've had in my studies and activities over the years. Thank you for creating such a wonderful a place for us all to gather and learn.

Sincerely,

Dave

[Joe Di Cola]

Five years ago, ALO had shut down its discussion thread and, in reptilian fashion, another site had engaged in bullying and many of us were mourning the loss of the former and deserting the latter over its unjust treatment of you. So what was one to do? In truly inspired moment, our shining knight, Sir Roger, started the Lincoln Discussion Symposium which featured enough THREADS to satisfy every type of Lincoln-ophile on the planet. And here we are five years later celebrating our leader and his vision. KUDOS to you, Roger and to Vicki for her support of your enterprise!
 
More to the point, your site has been characterized by a degree of fairness to all which encourages people to join and participate (although I must admit that my contributions are few and far between). Even so, I enjoy reading the threads from time-to-time. Your patience with contributors that are out of the mainstream is great and I sometimes wish you would yield your scalpel a little sooner; but that is part of your charm and graciousness as the host of the Symposium.
 
Without your vision to see the need for such a site, the late September/early October "Springfield Tours" might never have happened, and I would not count among my friends Rob and Cheryl Wick, Gene and Joy Cook, Dave and Jan Grimm, Scott Schroeder, and others who have joined us. Some of those I mention encouraged me to write my book on New Salem.
 
So, my friend, here's to the next five years and beyond.

[Leon Greene]

Thank you, Roger. You're a mentor to many, even to those you've never met.

[L Verge]

(07-28-2017 09:34 AM)Joe Di Cola Wrote:  Five years ago, ALO had shut down its discussion thread and, in reptilian fashion, another site had engaged in bullying and many of us were mourning the loss of the former and deserting the latter over its unjust treatment of you. So what was one to do? In truly inspired moment, our shining knight, Sir Roger, started the Lincoln Discussion Symposium which featured enough THREADS to satisfy every type of Lincoln-ophile on the planet. And here we are five years later celebrating our leader and his vision. KUDOS to you, Roger and to Vicki for her support of your enterprise!
 
More to the point, your site has been characterized by a degree of fairness to all which encourages people to join and participate (although I must admit that my contributions are few and far between). Even so, I enjoy reading the threads from time-to-time. Your patience with contributors that are out of the mainstream is great and I sometimes wish you would yield your scalpel a little sooner; but that is part of your charm and graciousness as the host of the Symposium.
 
Without your vision to see the need for such a site, the late September/early October "Springfield Tours" might never have happened, and I would not count among my friends Rob and Cheryl Wick, Gene and Joy Cook, Dave and Jan Grimm, Scott Schroeder, and others who have joined us. Some of those I mention encouraged me to write my book on New Salem.
 
So, my friend, here's to the next five years and beyond.

Joe - I just want to thank you for your wonderful tribute here. You started from the beginning and told how the forum came to be and the amount of abuse that Roger and several others of us incurred in its "birth."

And then to have it managed in such a professional and respectful manner has been exceptional. Only someone like Roger with his knowledge, patience, and perseverance could pull it off!

[Cliff Roberts]

Hat's off to a true gentleman!

[Rogerm]

Hats off to you, Roger, for an excellent forum!! I never understood why it was shut down in its previous version. But, I am grateful for your willingness and perseverence to maintain this forum to the high degree of professionalism that you show. I appreciate the fact that it is open to both experts and lay-people with an interest in Abraham Lincoln.

[RJNorton]

Thanks everyone - your words are appreciated more than you will ever know.

[Anita]

Roger, you are so deserving of this recognition. From the time Lincoln was a young man and into his White House years he worried he wouldn't make a difference. Roger, you have made a difference in the lives of so many. You have created a forum where students of all ages can learn in a safe nurturing environment and a reliable resource for educators and scholars. Thank you for the tremendous amount of time and energy you put into creating and maintaining the Lincoln Discussion Symposium. You are loved and appreciated.

[wpbinzel]

Roger - you will receive this shortly.

   

[LincolnMan]

Outstanding!

[RJNorton]

(08-05-2017 03:12 PM)wpbinzel Wrote:  Roger - you will receive this shortly.

Thank you, Bill, and everyone. This was so special to me I have no words to properly express my gratefulness.