Rep. Joe Wilson Makes First Public Appearance at Chapin Parade

U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, making his first public appearance since a mysterious illness sidelined him two weeks ago, said he wouldn't have missed the Chapin Labor Day parade.

For 40 years, Wilson (R-S.C.) has been coming to the major Midlands-area event to talk to constituents and, possibly more importantly, listen to what they have to say.

"You get to see the entire community," said Wilson, who said the latest indications are that he was suffering from a type of viral meningitis. "And they are uninhibited."

As he rode on the back of a classic red Ford Mustang convertible, with the rain luckily holding off, Wilson is a sitting duck for anyone wanting to yell at him.

And he's aware of it. Usually, when he hears it, he has already passed the perpetrator and there's nothing to be done.

"Uninhibited," he repeated.

On this day, however, Wilson heard his normal "Give him hell, Joe," and a lot of well-wishes for speedy recovery and prayers.

"People were very thoughtful," he said.

Wilson said doctors expect it to take a couple of weeks before he is fully recovered from the illness. But a full recovery is expected.

Wilson, of course, found a silver lining in the recent events: "I lost 16 pounds," he said.

But, he admitted, he wouldn't recommend it as a weight-loss measure.