For nearly a year, I have been on a journey. Today, my journey reached a significant milestone.

The trip began last November with the passing of my brother Varick Cutler. I found out at the funeral that Varick was a big supporter of Barack Obama. And so were Gillian and I. We never discussed this with my brother. Gillian and I made a pact and decided to give our full support in getting Barack elected.

We got involved in our local precinct and were both elected as Obama delegates to the senatorial district convention. Gillian worked hard with Obama Dallas, a grassroots campaign organization and was elected a delegate to the Texas state convention. Her tireless efforts were rewarded when the Texas Democratic Party nominated her as an at large delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

At some point in the spring, we set a goal of registering 500 new voters. Gillian was deputized and proceeded to deputize hundreds of new deputies. Day after day, she worked, attending or leading many voter registration drives. I helped where I could.

We walked the neighborhoods, knocking on doors. We went to high schools, signing up first-time voters. We went to football games, super markets, fairs, and even a circus. Gillian and her friend Wendy would frequent the taxi stands at Love Field and DFW. Soon they became known among the cabbies as the Obama ladies. They deputized the cab drivers. One of the cab drivers even invited us to his Ethiopian church to register his fellow worshipers.

Gillian designed and sold campaign buttons and bumper stickers - hundreds and hundreds of them. She even appeared in a Barack Obama movie. I am in awe at her endless energy. I am a bachelor now, as Gillian is in Colorado, working through the election day to make a difference in the swing state.

We passed our goal to register 500 new voters. My hunch is that our efforts have produced several thousand new voters in Dallas County.

Today, I took advantage of early voting. I voted for peace. I voted for prosperity. I voted for unity, hope, and change.

Today, with honor and pride, I voted for Barack Obama.

And tonight I celebrate the journey - America's journey, Barack's journey, and my brother's journey.

Here's to you Varick! We made your vote count big time this year! May peace be with you.

Pierre Cutler