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Russell Rallies to Aid Local Hero:

It soon became apparent that if Bob Dole was going to have any chance of making a full recovery, surgery would be required that was beyond what was provided by the Army medical system. But these experimental techniques were beyond the means of most families. The whole town rallied to raise funds for the surgery. The collection point was Dawson's Drug store, where the young Bob Dole had worked as a soda jerk when he was a teenager. Chet Dawson and Bub Dawson (pictured here) led the effort, along with high school friend, Phil Ruppenthal (pictured here).

Senator Dole still keeps the cigar box on his desk, as a memento of what he owes the town of Russell and as a reminder of the importance of community.