Here is the story of one of our SUPER Members!
Graybeard has a grandson studying and training to be a U.S. Navy fighter pilot.
Early in December it is determined that Mic will finally receive his wings on January 21, 2011.
Being the helpful guy he is GrayBeard , in mid-December, contacts Mic's grandmother with the idea that they go together and give Mic a scrolled plaque with the Naval seal and "AVIATOR" at the bottom which is the official Naval designation for ALL pilots.
She says she will 'think about it'! (per usual)
The first week of January she calls and says "what did YOU do about the plaque?", to which he responds in the way any 'ex' would and says, "I am still waiting on your decision!"
So the decision is immediately made and GB contacts a fellow forum member who displays said plaques on his website. The wording is agreed upon and the 'Super Scroller' gets busy and starts on the plaque.
The SECOND week of January 'Super Scroller' gets plaque almost complete, takes part of it to work and is complimented by his coworkers on the great job and is asked if he 'used a laser'! 'Super Scroller' tries valiantly to keep his head from swelling so big he can't get through the door and re-examines the main section and decides to re-do that part. We are tough 'self critics'!
The THIRD week of January arrives. The plaque is completed, wrapped and packed and taken to be sent to Mic's grandmother so she can deliver it to him at the "Winging" ceremony on the 21st.
PANIC Time!!!
On Monday, January 17th the infamous 'plaque' was given to 'Super Scroller's' shipping department to go out that day. The plaque is sent out with the normal business shipping for the day and all seems well.
HOWEVER...since it is MLK Day the package is not handled and put on the plane by FedEx and is still in Bedford, Oregon and needs to be in St. Louis on Wednesday!
GrayBeard and 'Super Scroller' communicate frantically and furiously by email and GB determines that the package CAN be "re-routed" in shipment to be sent directly to Mic's home address and will arrive in time. BUT the re-routing MUST be handled by the shipper and GB cannot do this. So GB again emails 'Super Scroller' who then talks to his boss, who approves the extra charge for re-routing, and 'Super Scroller' takes his lunch hour to make a special trip to the FedEx office to arrange re-routing. (HOOOORRRRAH)
'Super Scroller' then emails GB that the package not only will make it to the "Winging" ceremony but it will be delivered to Mic's home on Thursday, January 20th by 3:00 p.m. so grandmother can pick it up and wrap it appropriately!
And that ladies and gentlemen is the way this scrolling family helps each other in time of need!
My sincere and heartfelt THANKS go to our 'Super Scroller'...Bill Purcell!!!
And my 'proudest' CONGRATULATIONS to Lt.jg Michael J. Smith, jr., USN for achieving his lifelong dream!
Bill...you went way above and beyond the 'call of duty' on this one and I am proud to call you my friend!
~~~GrayBeard~~~
