Dear Editor, Have you ever walked into the Nob Hill grocery
store in Morgan Hill and felt your heart lift a little? Has going
in there made you feel like a proud American or like you live among
real Americans? Have you felt a proud nervousness while there?
Dear Editor,
Have you ever walked into the Nob Hill grocery store in Morgan Hill and felt your heart lift a little? Has going in there made you feel like a proud American or like you live among real Americans? Have you felt a proud nervousness while there? Of course not. Most of us go to the store to get food and to get out as fast as possible. How could going to the grocery store give you anything but food.
In the case of the store in Morgan Hill, the feeling is different for me and I feel a number of other unknown Americans. Let me explain.
My wife is a retired flight attendant from United Airlines. For her last two years of work she flew CRAFT flights for United. These were flights taking the Army Marines to Saudi Arabia for deployment in Iraq.
“Mike, they look like babies to me. I see Danny, Chris and Scott in every one of them.” Those are our kids.
Susan even got to hold an M16 CAR (Combat Assault Rifle). Needless to say, it was not a very happy experience at times. For 12 hours Sue and the other flight attendants were mom. There were plenty of hugs from the 18-, 19- and 20-year olds when they deplaned. Sue gave back the M16. She thought the flak vests were too heavy.
Sue has retired and belongs to an organization called Clipped Wings. This is an organization of retired flight attendants. They do volunteer work for organizations and worthy causes. This year Susan suggesting helping our troops in Iraq. Of course they were all for it as they have met these brave Americans and feel they cannot do enough for them.
Now comes the part about Nob Hill. When you walk into the store look to the far left. You will see a container with two American flags, pictures of these brave Americans, and a sign from Susan asking for donations for the troops in the form of candy bars, soap, socks, toilet articles and most of all baby powder and talcum to combat the heat.
Ralph Aguinaga, the manager at Nob Hill, is a great guy and a real American. It takes approximately one to one and a half days and a large bin is filled with articles. Like I said before, a glance to the left and it makes you feel so good to be an American and live in this society. Hey, there’s a lot of real people in Morgan Hill.
Sue and I pick up the articles and take them to the U.S. Marine Headquarters in San Bruno. Gunny Sgt. Orozco is in charge. For those who don’t know who a gunny sergeant is, he is like the man who leads you into battle. He is dad, older brother, confidant and sometimes confessor. But he fights alongside you.
Sgt. Orozco says, “These people really love us, Mike.” I say yes, and also sergeant., a Marine never leaves another Marine. An American never leaves another American. These people in Morgan Hill are proving this.
So, anyone reading this when you go into Nob Hill, look to the left. You will see a picture of some real heroes, a bin, and two American flags. Drop something in and be sure to thank Ralph for letting Susan put it there.
Mike Egan, Morgan Hill
