In the last 20 years since they’ve been active in the Freeborn County DFL party, Albert Leans Art and Rose Anderson said they cannot remember a time someone from the county has been able to be an ambassador of southern Minnesota at the Democratic National Convention.

This weekend, that’s about to change.

Getting the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream, the Andersons will fly out of Minnesota and go to Colorado on Sunday.

They will be two of more than 50,000 people in attendance at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.

There, Rose will be a part of the state Credentials Committee and Art will be a guest at the convention.

“I decided to go just once in my life — just once,” Rose said.

The couple said they tried to be delegates, but were unable to get the necessary votes. When they found out a spot was open with credentials, they couldn’t pass up the chance. It’s not everyday that someone from a smaller city outside the Twin Cities and Rochester gets to attend a national convention.

Art has been the chairman of the Freeborn County DFL party for 20 years, and Rose has been the associate chairwoman for 18 years.

At the convention, presidential candidate Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, will speak on Monday. Former presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton will speak Tuesday, and her husband, Bill, will speak Wednesday.

“It will be exciting to see them,” Rose said. “We do need change. It’s not getting better.”

She hasn’t seen any of them before.

Also while at the convention, the couple will be busy going to different caucuses, listening to speakers and even participating in a service day on Wednesday.

“It’s only once in a lifetime you get to do something like this,” Art said.

“Regardless of who gets it, it’s going to be hard for whoever gets it. We can’t do any worse than we’re doing now.”

Art and Rose said they hope to bring back some valuable memories to share with the local party.

“I’m tickled to go,” Art said. “I’m 76-years-old and I’ve never gone, so it is something to look forward to.”

It will also be a way to celebrate their 20th year in politics and their 50th wedding anniversary.

Look to the Tribune for more about the Anderson’s stay at the Democratic National Convention.