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Small town has large impact on local recruiter

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Robert L. Jones
  • 337th Recruiting Squadron
I'm not one to share sentimental messages with my fellow Airmen, but it feels important to share this story about teddy bears, a poem, and a how a small town touched my heart in a big way.

A few months ago, I received a phone call from Mayor Charles Kemp of Fairmont, a small town located near the South Carolina border. He invited me to the May 15 town hall meeting because he wanted to honor the members of the military prior to Armed Forces Day. I politely accepted the invitation and ensured Mayor Kemp had the correct phone numbers for my sister service counterparts because I was not going through such a presentation alone.

To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to the event because I had few positive recruiting experiences from the small town. However, the mayor's office ensured that this experience would be a positive one by sending me reminders of the upcoming event and even calling me himself one day. Empathetic of my busy schedule, he was excited to hear I would be in attendance.

On the big day, I was running behind schedule and made a mad dash to Fairmont's Town Hall to find Mayor Kemp waiting for me and the U.S. Marine Corps recruiter. He was very excited to have representatives from all the branches of service there.

The tribute started with a town proclamation and a poem. Then each U.S. military representative was presented a gift bag containing an American Flag, an American Flag keychain, an origami rose, a copy of the proclamation and poem, and a stuffed bear made from fabric representing each branch. The bears were made by an elderly resident who stood up and shared with us that even though she couldn't work anymore, she could still work with her hands and she enjoyed making the unique bears for every person she knew who joined the service.

She went on to say that a young man from Fairmont was injured in Iraq and told her that he pinned the bear to his bedside pillow and it helped him make it through his injuries. She then presented each of us with a small packet containing a cross and a Christian poem to help remind the bearer of his or her faith. Following the presentation, we were all given the opportunity to share our appreciation with all those in attendance and to meet the town council members.

After the meeting, I stopped to talk to the kind lady who made the bears and gave us the poems and crosses. Standing with the assistance of her walker and her granddaughter, she told me that if I wanted any more bears, to let Mayor Kemp know and she would get them to me as soon as possible. While holding my hand, she told me that two of her sons had served in the Air Force, another served in the Marine Corps, and her husband in the Army. A unique glimmer in her eye projected the pride and passion she has for her country and for those who serve to protect it. I attempted to pre-qualify her for Air Force service, she chuckled and told me that she wouldn't be too good at doing push-ups.

As I drove back to the office, I found myself engulfed with a sense of pride in the work I do. Not that I've ever lacked the desire to recruit -- I love of my job, but tonight it was evident. To experience the appreciation of an entire town and the love with which that bear was made definitely made an impact on me that will stay with me. These moments don't come often, and I almost cheated myself out of it by trying to think of a reason why I couldn't attend.

I plan to repay the kindness shown by the "bear-maker of Fairmont" by helping her experience the positive impact she and her small town had on me by showing how much they care.