Giving Back

I have a great picture of my dad from the early 1970s. He is sitting in his Monroe Lumber Company pickup truck with a snowplow on the front of it. He is parked on the ice in the middle of Mill Pond in Monroe, NY, having just plowed an ice rink for the community. I don't know if someone asked him, or dared him, or - least likely - paid him to scrape the snow off the ice.  My dad was third generation in our town and he was member of the community. He always gave back to community in one way or another.  He was a Volunteer Fireman, he plowed neighbors driveways, he opened our home to strangers, the police and the Troopers always had a place at our dinner table. Watching him growing up, I saw it was something you did when you had the means and ability.

I lived in two small cities in upstate New York. Aside from my official duties in law enforcement, I never got involved in the community. I had no excuse. I could say that work and the Army Reserves took a lot of my time, but there is always more time to give if you really tried.  The rest of my life was to turbulent to focus on anything except for me. 

When we moved to North Carolina we started two new jobs, built a house, moved a second time into that house, and had Grant - all in twelve months. My career in the Army was significantly picking up with three major commands - plus a deployment - over the next six years. There was never any time to give outside of the family and two careers. 

I helped with the local 5k race, Run the Quay, of which I have been a contributor for the last five years.  Aside from that, I didn't get involved in Fuquay-Varina.

Retirement from the Army opened up a whole lot of white space on my calendar.  For two years I "took a knee" and did nothing. Then, last year, I met with some people in the Chamber of Commerce who were looking for help with the annual town Christmas Parade and needed an "Army guy" to be bossy and get the parade in order. This was the opening that I needed and I volunteered.  The parade was a success.  

This year I am the director of the whole parade. With my team, we have managed the issues and problem people with ease. People respond to my emails and listen when I speak. Yes, it feeds my Army ego when they call me Colonel Brown. My small contribution to Fuquay-Varina has opened other opportunities for me. It's nice to be recognized in town. I have lunch with the Mayor from time to time. The Chief of Police sees me in a crowd and comes over to say hello. People in the town government email me. I am being asked to give more - and I can and I will.

I want my children to understand the importance of giving back. In this case, to the community that we have called home for almost a decade and a half and the only hometown the boys will ever have.  I am very happy we settled in Fuquay-Varina. The town has grown - and continues to grow - into a good place to live and raise a family.  

Friday Night Lights and Thursday Afternoons Too

Football was never our sport until this year when Grant announced that he was going to try out for the Fuquay Varina Bengals - Middle School - team.  Despite our apprehensions we watched Grant go through try-outs and make the team. Without a doubt we are very happy for him; watching him be part of a big team sport, having a little bit of swagger in Middle School, seeing him make something for himself that his big brother does not have. All of the trappings of a football game are there in Middle School play; cheerleaders, running through a banner, parents who know how to play the game better than the coach, and some occasional good plays.  

The games at this level of play and understanding of football have a "Fifth Quarter" - a term new to us. Fifth Quarter is five minutes of offense and five minutes of defense for the younger and newer member of the team. Those kids play but the score does not go toward the actual four quarter game.  Grant is a Fifth Quarter player. He plays mostly on the offense, but he has played defense too. In one game they actually passed to him, but the throw was wobbly, and he missed it.  Watching him play, I can see that he is in the game but never middle of the big play.  So far, I have not seen him make a tackle or significant block. However, for someone who has never played before, he is out there doing it!

Middle School is such a difficult time for kids. I am glad this is building his self-esteem.  The other week we went to a Willow Spring High School football game. Grant went with us but went off on his own with a bunch of friends.  When we found him there were three or four girls around him, taking his picture, and playing with his hair.  Something is clearing working for him.  

The teams current record is 4-1. When the team returns from an away game with a win, the bus rolls into the school with the horn blaring and excited kids hanging out the windows. You would think that they won the state championship!  And yes, I honked the horn too!  

We are truly happy for him on this venture. I am sure he will try out again next season. If he makes the team he will be bigger and stronger and that means he will definitely play more of the regular game.  All of this is good for him and his self-esteem - but we are hoping he switches to Cross Country in High School!