Yes we did, she arranged a surprise and had a couple good friends join us from Church. We arrived at 5:30 and didn’t leave until 8....
Got home and as soon as I walked in the door my kids bombarded me with confetti and silly string.
Good day with good friends and my Family. It couldn’t get any better than that!
City conveyed its appreciation to Marine
I am a Marine Corps dad who picked up my son from the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Training Depot at Paris Island on Jan. 25. I had no idea what was in store for him when he came home to Columbus.
Upon our return, we have witnessed a gratitude from the people of Columbus that we did not expect. Last Sunday, my son, Pvt. Tyler Allen Leavitt, put on his dress-blue uniform for church to visit those who have prayed for him during the tough training that Marines must endure for the honor of being called a United States Marine.
During this “victory tour,” Tyler has witnessed a grateful nation through the awesome, intimate hand of fellowship from the people of Columbus.
Here are a few of the wonderful gestures:
After church we had lunch at Stan’s Restaurant. A waitress slipped Tyler $20 and whispered, “Thank you,” and went on her way. We went to T-Mobile at Easton to re-establish Tyler’s cell-phone service. The customer-service line was out the door. Tyler looked at me and said, “Dad, this could take a while.” I left him there for a couple of minutes to look around. I came back to find that the entire line had moved this Marine to the front, as he was already being taken care of by the T-Mobile staff.
While walking to our truck to leave Easton Town Center, many acknowledged Tyler by blowing their horn shouting, “Semper Fi.” The most emotional event was when we heard a mother with her young children say, “Kids, you have just been passed by a United States Marine.” It was all I could do to hold back my tears.
Tyler joined the Marines from his deep passion to serve and protect the nation and people he holds dear. I know from his silence and the look in his eyes during these events that he was deeply moved.
I can see that the honor, courage and commitment instilled during his training was strengthened by the people he loves so much.
Thank you, Columbus.
ANDY LEAVITT
Columbus
Another sweet story I read this morning, even though it isn’t Military but I know ‘our gang’ will appreciate it.
“FAITHFUL FRIENDS, THEY ARE~~~~”
Dogs give up their lives to save family
Tue Feb 12, 1:32 AM ET
Bella, a 3-year-old golden retriever/collie mix who was once rescued as an abused puppy, returned the favor to her owners by alerting them to a house fire. With help from Maddie, a 6-month-old golden retriever, Bella helped get Sue Feuling and her 9-year-old daughter, Mckenzie, out of the house last week. The dogs didn’t make it.
“Those dogs were without a doubt the heroes,” said Winona Assistant Fire Chief Jim Multhaup.
Bella had jumped on Feuling’s bed early Friday morning and started barking, and Feuling then smelled smoke, grabbed her daughter and rushed out of the house.
But Feuling couldn’t coax the dogs out of the house, even when she tried to run back in to yell for them.
“Bella must have thought Mckenzie was still in the house,” Feuling said.
A firefighter who arrived at the scene tried to save the dogs, but it was too late. The Feulings were taken to an area hospital for smoke inhalation monitoring, but were OK, Multhaup said.
The fire, which was caused by an overloaded electrical outlet, gutted the home, Multhaup said.
While an assistance fund was set up, Sue Feuling said she was only thinking about her dogs. “Everything I lost is nothing compared to them,” she said.
How wonderful, Rus!! Glad everyone enjoyed your birthday, you kid!!
:-)