Today marks five years since Rush Limbaugh passed into the ages, leaving this world behind.
Five years later, millions of his thirty million listeners still miss his voice, wisdom, humor, and ever-present optimism that America would remain a great and good nation, thanks to their values and the fruit of their hard work.
It would take volumes to attempt to document the impact of Rush’s legacy not only in the media, in other spheres of life.
There is no question that his success on the radio, as an author and publisher, in television, and online changed America’s media landscape. He broke wide open – the media “dam” that suppressed the voices and values of almost half the country. The “silent majority” through Rush Limbaugh, found its voice.
It could be argued the changes resulting from Rush’s impact on the American media landscape have resonated beyond our shores – and the once dominant narratives of the global “leftist” mainstream media are being challenged in many nations around the world.
Rush Limbaugh’s legacy extends far beyond the media. He and the massive audience he amassed, and loved so dearly, also demonstrated the best of American values with their generosity. The tens of millions of dollars that were raised to research and fight childhood leukemia and other diseases have contributed to life saving advances that will continue to benefit the lives of thousands, perhaps millions of people for generations to come.
There were many other calls to action that were answered by Rush and his audience – for those affected by natural disasters – to families impacted by losing heroes serving this great nation in law enforcement and our military.
Some people who benefited from the anonymous acts of personal generosity have revealed how Rush unexpectedly came to their aid in times of need only asking in return that they not publicize it. He wasn’t seeking recognition of “virtue” for doing good – he just did good.
Above all of that – and the thing that perhaps matters most when we depart this earthly journey is what kind of person we have been. And on that count, I can say this from over three decades of personal knowledge.
Rush Limbaugh was a truly decent man. He was filled with gratitude for his own success and loved to share it with others. He was loved deeply and is loved deeply because of the person that he was – off air – and on air.
Five years later Rush Limbaugh is present in the social consciousness. I see it on social media daily. I hear it from callers and hosts on radio programs. People wonder what he would think, what he might say about the events today.
One of his last utterances on the air – was an admonition that we can never give up on America. That – I think is what he still believes.
I miss him every day.
