[GreenKeys] A Pleasant Memorial Day

[George B. Hutchison]

To All Who Copy Itty, and to those GreenKeyers who have known me for
a while - - -

Many of us share a common bond this day, as many of us are Veterans
of Military service to America.

Most of us are well beyond the age where the military would be able
or willing to have us once again sit down at our consoles, man the
fire control directors, order the foodstuffs, or any of a myriad of
varieties of tasks we once did routinely as a part of our day.

I am not sure that I would have the skills necessary to perform some
of the incredible tasks our military men and women do with skill, yet
appear to be so casual in the undertaking.

Indeed, I would find it to be an honor if one of the current military
were to say "George, have a seat and let's see how you do on  this
superb system we have  in front of us."

In my Quiznos Store all people in uniform got a discount. It seemed
like the right thing to do. A young Marine in his spiffy dress
uniform and his parents came in one day, and I was absolutely
thrilled to be able to hand them each a gift card and simply say to
them "Thank you for being there, and thanks, mom and dad, for raising
such a handsome young man!".

I had a regular customer named  Doug who brought his family with him
almost every visit, who became a sort of "American Idol" to me. Doug
is a "Coastie", and his tasking is that of being one of those
incredible people illustrated in Kevin Costner's movie "The
Guardian".

Doug is one of those who jump out of a perfectly good helicopter into
the drink to aid and rescue people who do not have the good sense to
heed weather warnings and took their twenty-something foot vessel out
into seas in which cargo ships have a hard time staying on course. He
is a Rescue Swimmer. Whatta Guy!!

We have a fellow on the GreenKeys circuit who shall remain anonymous
who was with Col. Bo Grites when the army was tasked with the horror
of cleaning up the mess in Jonestown, after Jim Jones had fed more
than nine-hundred men, women, and children with his special "cool-
aid". He spent years in the jungles of Central America listening to
the drug lords (he still recognizes some of the voices who inhabit
the area just below 40 meters) with the intent of closing their
production of drugs which have become the catalyst in truly screwing
up America. This fellow is another one of my "Heroes".

We have another fellow on GreenKeys who is a former "Spook" who has
dedicated his retirement years to aiding in recovering stolen
children, and finding instant care and shelter for children who are
living in conditions wherein just staying alive is a challenge some
of them cannot complete. Another Hero.

I think it goes without saying that most of us have "Been There, Done
That" or have had a close acquaintanceship with someone who did.

I urge everyone who reads this to take a few minutes today and
reflect back on your life, and more importantly, the lives of those
we know or have known who have at one time or another done their job
to the best of their ability to make the world a better place for all
of us.

A BIG "THANK YOU" to all who have worn one of America's Uniforms.

Were a bus to pull up out front with a sign that says "George, we
need you", I'd be gone in a heartbeat.

Happy Memorial Day to all of you.

Regards,

George - W7TTY