10-4 Magazine December 2024

The Veteran’s View: By Dennis Mitchell Ho, Ho, Ho… snow, snow, snow or not, somehow it just doesn’t feel like Christmas this year. The calendar still tells me December follows November and deer season (November 15-30) is over here in Michigan, so that means we are closing in on the end of the year. I’m seeing festive homes with colorful lights and garland streaming from streetlights in every small town, but something is missing. Santa still laughs his jovial “Ho, Ho, Ho!” but the twinkle in his eyes doesn’t shine so bright. As I look him up and down, I am noticing his red suit has signs of wear, rough patches where the material is rubbed thin, and even his big black boots have mud caked on them. Could this Santa have been one who is serving the forgotten people of the southeast who have had their world washed away by flood waters. Their lives have been turned upside down after the storms and the aftermath of hurricane Helene. It’s easy to forget those people in Tennessee, Alabama, the Carolinas, and Florida when we go shopping for friends and family, but please don’t – they are still hurting and fighting for their lives, since it will take a very long time for them to get back to normal. This is the time of year when we turn our thoughts to giving gifts to those we love. This year, add the names of the folks who have lost so much to your personal shopping list. A gift, no matter how big or small, will be welcomed by someone who has very little. Often, we assume someone else will step up and help in times of crisis. As you know, we can’t count on the government to provide aid or comfort if you are not in the right demographic. Now is the time to be the change you hope to see in others, and to lead by example. My mother always said “charity starts at home” so this year be that Secret Santa, whether it’s in your own community or not, or possibly at your place of employment. We have all endured a year full of political advertisements shouting, “It’s the economy, dummy!” So, this year, my wife has informed me money is tight, and that I will be getting a hug as my gift. All jokes aside, there have been times in my life when I would have welcomed a hug from another human being, just to give me hope. The simplest gesture, when given with true human emotion, is stronger than a speeding freight train, which also reminds me I need to get my neighbor’s son some new cargo/freight containers for his train set. He said the trucks we gave him last year hauled all the other ones away, and they haven’t returned them to his freight yard. Guess the economy is bad in toy land, too. Up here in the northern section of our little slice of paradise the weather has definitely turned from brisk to cold. Adding another shirt or sweater not only looks fashionable, but feels warmer, as well. With that in mind we, Aunt Barb and I, have been cleaning the attic and going through our closets. Like so many others, we sort old clothing into two piles – those we keep and those we get rid of. My wife gets so disgusted with me because I resort them into the “go to town” pile and the “go to the shop/barn” pile. I never worry about if it’s in style or what the neighbors will think about my 1980s disco style trousers with a pearl snap western shirt. “If it fits, it ships!” or something like that. However, we do find there are lots of gently worn or serviceable items that we no longer use. We are still arguing if it’s the clothes dryer or the refrigerator that shrinks the items that no longer fit. But either way, they would be welcomed by those who have little or none. I know many of our readers donate to the usual charities and volunteer, as well, but this year maybe you can go one step further. Unfortunately, and all too often, these 46 10-4 Magazine / December 2024 THE GIFT OF GIVING