In My Own Words

Y’all know me – among other things, I’m a Patriotic American citizen, with great respect for our flag. A tattered flag gets on my last nerve, but I would almost rather see a tattered flag waving in the breeze than to see an empty flagpole.

We bank at US Bank in Pleasant View, and it has been bothering me that their flag pole has been empty for quite awhile. I drive past the bank every day on my way to and from work, and that pole standing there with no flag waving in the breeze just glares at me. I had to make a deposit the other day, and before I left the drive-through, I asked the teller why they didn’t have a flag.

I could tell the question kind of took her aback; she looked over her shoulder and from side to side (don’t know who or what she thought she’d find there) and then kind of stammered “Well, we used to have one. When we had that wind storm, it got all torn up so we took it down. We just haven’t replaced it yet.” Last wind storm I recall was back in early January or thereabouts. I just looked her in the eye and said “y’all really need to get a flag and start flying it every day.” She kind of cleared her throat and said “Yeah, I guess we do.”

I went to US Bank’s website and submitted a “customer comment” which I’ve copied and pasted here:

Comment or Question

I bank at the Pleasant View, TN branch of USBank. This may not seem important to y’all in the grand scheme of things, but it disturbs me that they have an empty flag pole in front of the bank. The flag got tattered in a wind storm, well over a month and a half ago, and was taken down. It has never been replaced. It makes me wonder if they are too lazy to replace the flag, are they fit to keep an eye on my money? I have a flag pole in my front yard, and it ALWAYS has a flag on it. When one gets tattered, it is promptly replaced with a fresh new MADE IN THE USA flag. Show a little pride and respect…

I figured that would be the end of it, but this afternoon I got this e-mail back:

Dear Tracy E. Roberts,

Thank you for using U.S. Bank’s online services to contact us.

On behalf of U.S. Bank, please accept my sincere apology regarding this situation.

Please know I have personally contacted the District Manager Tracy Brown for the Pleasant View branch in regards to your email. She has advised me she will address the situation immediately and contact you directly in regards to this matter.

We appreciate you notifying us about this situation, and we truly value your concerns.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us in the future.

Thank you for choosing U.S. Bank. We sincerely appreciate your business!

Sincerely,

Ross Wineinger

Now I suppose we just wait and see…will there be a flag on display at US Bank on my way home this afternoon? Or perhaps not until tomorrow?  I can tell you this much, if there is not one by Monday, Jack is closing our accounts at US Bank and choosing another bank to do business with. (In case you wondered, Monday is the magic day because he’s taking the day off to tend to other business, and it will be handy for him to take care of bank stuff too if necessary.)  I’ll let y’all know how it goes…

Well, darn, I didn’t get my application submitted in time. They started accepting apps for this month on March 1 – I signed in and was ready to submit, but got a message stating “We have already accepted 1,000 applications for March. Please try again starting April 1.” I guess on April 1, I need to be online at 12:01 a.m. to hit the “submit” button and maybe I’ll make it then. Disappointed, but not quite discouraged. Dana, if you read this, I TRIED!! And I WILL try again in April.

Yeah, I know, this has nothing to do with supporting the troops. The young man in this video is my nephew James, whose brother Nathan is currently in critical condition due to an accident he had while trying to read a text message he’d just received on his cell phone. While distracted, he rear-ended a tractor-trailer, and was nearly killed. That was 12 days ago, and he’s not awake yet. Part of his liver had to be removed, his kidneys have shut down, he’s on a ventilator, and he’s got a long hard road ahead of him. He was ticketed for texting while driving, which is illegal in the state of Illinois as of Jan. 1, and for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.  (Not that he’s even aware that he’s gotten a ticket for anything…but you get the idea.) I know nobody has ever been able to stop folks from drinking while driving, so maybe putting this out there to call attention to the fact that texting while driving can be hazardous won’t make any difference – however, I’m posting this video everywhere I can; if it keeps just one person from making a bad decision, then that’s a success in my book.

Nathan has a wife, 5-year-old twins (a boy and a girl) and an adopted teenage daughter – they need him; prayers would be appreciated.

I put two packages in the mail today to one of our Warriors in Iraq. One was full of socks, boxer briefs, and a dozen fine cigars. The other one was full of nutty bars, pop tarts, canned nuts, and individual packs of trail mix, with the “empty spaces” filled with more socks.

The cigars were donated by Mike Nelson of Leaf & Ale in Knoxville, TN. Jack has been buying pipe tobacco from Leaf & Ale for a couple of years or so, and recently joined their fan page on facebook. I joined as well, because I’ve been known to order Jack a nice new pipe or some specialty pipe tobacco blend as a birthday or Father’s Day gift. One of the posted specials was “Buy 4 Cigars, get 1 Free,” and stated that they had hundreds of cigars they’d gotten as samples at shows and such, so when the samples they had were gone, the Buy 4 get 1 deal would end. A little light bulb went on in my brain (I’m always looking for special stuff for our Warriors) and I sent an e-mail to Mike asking what kind of deal I could get on some cigars for our troops. He e-mailed back that he would send me some cigars, and they were here in three days. A dozen assorted fine cigars, no “dog logs” in the bunch. There will be a happy group of Soldiers in Iraq doing a happy dance when they open that box!  If you’re a fan of good cigars, pipe tobacco, gourmet coffees and specialty beers, check out his website http://www.leafandale.com and feel free to tell him Ms Tracy sent you.

I adopted an interesting new Warrior at AnySoldier this afternoon. As I was reading the newest postings, I came across an Air Force member listed as Lucky, Ms. Lmat (Click on those words…it should take you to her request) Well, that immediately caught my eye, so I clicked to see just who this “Ms. Lmat Lucky” might be. Turns out Lucky is a dog that was rescued from the dump as a puppy, raised and cared for by Coalition Forces. She has been a companion and protector of our Warriors for almost 2 years, and with the recent drawdown of forces and resources in the area, their source of dog food has dried up. Lucky signed up with AnySoldier to get dog food…Now, y’all, how could I NOT adopt this one?? I was the 9th person to request her address, so hopefully if I send a couple of 5-lb bags of food (or however much I can fit in a large FRB), so will everyone else send at least that much, and get Lucky started back on a decent diet to keep her lean and fit. I don’t think that’s asking too much, do you? Of course you know I will also buy treats and toys and other dog stuff to send to Ms. Lucky. I tend to spoil our dogs, and I think Lucky deserves a little spoiling, too. After all, she has an important job to do, helping keep the coalition forces safe and relieving their stress.

Well, I’m going to go for now. Need to check my facebook page and see if there are any updates on Nathan. Last I read, they hooked him up to dialysis for three hours this afternoon, they have him in restraints so he wouldn’t pull out the ventilator tube, and he’s still in the medically induced coma. Keep those prayers going up – his wife and children need him!!

I let one of my Soldiers talk me into applying for a grant from Pepsi. I’d say my chances of winning probably hover somewhere right around “slim” to “none,” but we’ve all heard that old saying “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” They accept up to 1,000 applications per month, and the limit had already been reached for February, but I filled out the application to be submitted March 1. IF it is accepted, then it will be featured on Pepsi’s Refresh Project website for people to vote on their choice to win a grant. It’ll be awhile before I know anything, but if you’re reading this, Dana, I’m going for it.

My idea is to provide iPods, iTunes gift cards, and gaming systems to our deployed troops. Our guys and gals serving over in Iraq and Afghanistan (and other hot spots) can use something to help relieve stress in whatever down time they have, and not everyone has decent MWR facilities available. Two of the most common requests you’ll find on AnySoldier.com are mp3 players with personal headphones, and games for various gaming systems. I’d like to be able to provide some gaming systems with extra controllers and plenty of games to different groups who are in locations without anything to do to relax in their down time.

There are different levels of grants available, and I applied for the smallest one. I didn’t want to seem greedy or bite off more than I could chew. I think $5,000 would be adequate, so that’s what I’m shooting for. It will be the middle of March before I hear anything, but if my application is accepted and my idea gets put on the webpage for voting, I’ll be sending everybody in my e-mail address book a link and a request to vote for me (Pick me!! Pick me!! LOL!) If you don’t get that e-mail, you’ll know I didn’t make the cut…but it won’t be because I didn’t try!

Wish me luck!

I haven’t written anything in a little while, so I thought I’d throw a few words out here and let them fall where they may.

We got a nice e-mail from one of our troops in Afghanistan the other day. He talked about his family, and how they are looking forward to his R&R break this spring. They’re going to go hiking in the mountains, because that’s what his daughter likes to do, and his son will “go along with anything as long as he’s with Dad.” LOL! I got the impression he meant the Smokies; I didn’t ask, but he is out of Ft. Stewart in Georgia, so that would kind of make sense. He said when he gets back to the States, he would like for him and his family to meet us some time. I warned him that meeting “us” includes not just me and Jack and the yappy little annoying hellhounds, but also our sons, our daughters-in-law, and all the grandkids. And I also warned him Savanna is apt to grill him about whether or not he’s a “real soldier” if he happens to not be wearing his “soldier clothes” when she meets him…ROTFL!!  I still get a chuckle when I think of her asking our visitor, CW3 Woods, if he was a real soldier and if so, where were his soldier clothes? Nobody saw that one coming…

I happened to catch one of our Warriors online when I got home from work this afternoon; he doesn’t get much time online, so I don’t bug him when I see he’s on Yahoo! IM. But he popped up and said that he’d just gotten the latest care package and wanted to say thank you. Since he’s never actually specified what he and his battle buds would like to get, I just kind of meander up and down the aisles until something gets my attention and makes me think “Hmmmm…wonder if our guys would like this?” I do know this young man likes peanut butter and jelly, and I found some PBJ Oatmeal Pies at Dollar General Market so of course I had to send some of those. He says they are “Delicious!!!” so I guess I’ll be buying some more of those. I’d be willing to bet the farm that nobody gets any of the PBJ pies but him…LOL!! While we were chatting, I did get him to mention a couple of things they’d like to have – RipIt energy drinks, and soccer balls. He said you can find RipIt’s at DollarTree, so I told him I’d see if I can find some. I know I can’t afford the Monster Energy Drinks or the Red Bull. You don’t get much for your money buying that stuff, that’s for sure! In any case, I’ve already got the next care package to his group planned in my head – just gotta put it in action.

My little sister donated $40 on my website (I’m going to send her some bread), and I sold $40 worth of bread today, so I’m not broke any more. I’ll get stuff together this weekend and get a box on its way Monday. (And Teresa, if you’re reading this, your bread will be on the way Monday as well.)

We’re going to paint the dining room, so I reckon we’ll be shopping for paint this weekend. Jack’s already doing inventory to figure out what kinds of supplies we’ll need in addition to the paint. I think we still have a roller tray, and maybe a roller frame or two, but we’ll have to pick up some brushes to do the cut-in work and corners.  We’ve agreed on a light mossy green; I think it’s going to look good. I know we’re tired of the generic cream-colored walls in every room, and it’s time to start changing colors, one room at a time. I don’t think we’re planning on doing any painting yet…just getting the paint and supplies so we’ll be ready to tackle the job next weekend. I’m baking bread Sunday, and getting the next care package ready to go, so hopefully I’m right about not starting the actual painting until next weekend…You know how guys are when they get to Lowe’s or Home Depot – it’ll probably take the better part of tomorrow just to get the paint and stuff…LOL!!

Okay, I’m done boring y’all for now. Thanks for reading – if anybody actually reads this stuff, that is. Take care, and I’ll type at y’all later.

Ron “Scooter” Dyer is a Vietnam Veteran and a friend of mine on Multiply.com. This video was made to tell the story of a promise he made to a friend shortly before that friend died in his arms on the field of battle in Vietnam. Ron asked if I would please help him get this video “out there” for others to see. So, Scooter, this is for you.

Let’s see… what’s new lately? Well, I got an e-mail today from one of our Warriors, checking in to let me know he and his group are still kicking. He attached a couple of pictures of some kids in their area of operations. Looking at the pictures, one can’t help but think that children are children, wherever they may be. God knows the children of Afghanistan have little enough to smile about, but they all had smiles on their faces. Laughter and smiles do indeed seem to be the universal language.

However, there can be exceptions to that assumption. Another of our Warriors who is part of a Combat Camera Unit posted some pictures of Afghan children, also smiling. The caption on one picture noted that one of the children had said he would like to cut our Warrior’s throat – and he’d just handed them some candy. So – I guess that particular child was smiling because the thought of taking out one of our Heroes makes him happy. That made me sad, but then I thought about how long their country has been at war, and I concluded that it’s not really all that surprising that a child would have such a thought in those circumstances. It also made me think “No more candy for THAT kid!!”

I stopped at the post office this morning to send off a care package, and the two postal clerks that were on duty were asking me about Raise Dough for the Troops. After Ms Betty (the Postmistress) paid postage for four care packages, I dropped off 3 loaves of bread that were extras from an order, and everybody tried some. The clerks were telling me that Ms Betty took the multigrain loaf, and had highly recommended it. The two of them had tried the cinnamon swirl bread, and they had all kinds of questions about how I got such a perfect swirl of cinnamon in the center of the loaf and such. I told them I sell the bread to help fund my care package “habit,” which they said Ms Betty had told them.  By the time my package was on its way, I had orders for four loaves of bread for Monday, and a request for blank order forms for later. Every little bit helps!

I have been out of stamps for awhile, so haven’t written letters lately. Today I bought a book of stamps, so I have no excuse not to write some letters this weekend. It’s going to be too cold to get out and do anything, and what better to do on a miserable cold snowy day than write a few encouraging words to our Warriors?

After spending money at Dollar General Market and Avon.com yesterday, mailing a package today and buying the stamps, I have $0.44 left in the troop support account. Yeah, a whopping 44 cents. The price of a stamp. Hopefully I’ll get some more bread orders soon, so I can mail some packages containing underwear, socks, and hygiene gear for some of our Warriors. Otherwise, I will have to wait until payday, which is the 25th of each month. I hope they don’t raise postage again any time soon; every time they do, they cramp my style.  I know my fellow Support Junkies feel my pain!

I’m going to go sit in front of the fireplace while there’s still some fire to enjoy. Thanks for reading my ramblings. And if any of our Warriors happen to be reading this – y’all know the routine: Blah blah blah, nag nag nag, STAY SAFE!! Don’t make me have to come over there…

Since it’s payday, I had $40 from my check to deposit in my troop support account. Friday I delivered bread and rolls, adding another $35. Today I delivered 7 loaves of bread, for another $35. All of that was pretty much “expected.” Then there’s the UNexpected…

My boss was on her way into a meeting, and stopped by my desk with a folded piece of paper with my name on it. She said “I wanted to make sure you get this before you leave, and I’ll probably still be in my meeting when you go home.” She handed me the paper and walked away. I unfolded it, and there were two $20 bills folded up inside, with a note that says “I’ve had an opportunity to spend a lot of time with my mother through all of the doctor’s appointments and surgery. I was telling her about your blog and the nice gesture the PV postmaster gave you to help with your mission to send care packages to our soldiers. She asked me to give you this $20, and she has always taught me by example, so please accept my offering, too! Love, Jenny.”

I would have given her a big hug, and one for her Mama, too, if she had not been in a closed-door meeting with the director. I had some of my “Thank you” cards in my purse, which I include with bread orders, so I put two of them on her desk. Surely she will know one is for her and one is for her mother…She won’t be in the office tomorrow, as she’s going to the doctor again with her Mom, to discuss chemo and/or radiation therapy. I guess that’s part of what makes this particular donation special to me; her Mom just discovered a little over a week ago that she has cancer, and even amidst all the doctor visits, surgery, and all the emotional ups and downs that accompany a diagnosis of cancer, she thought of our Warriors and wanted to help provide a little comfort to those so far from home.

God bless both of these ladies!