Thanks You's Long Overdue

I remembered to grab some quick cash this morning - something I'd been reminding myself to do for the past two days. I needed it to join with the funds from three other business owners - owners of businesses in my same stretch of four stores in a single old brick building. We're gathering together to buy gift cards for the three men who saved our businesses on the nights of the riot. 

My store is the second one of the four. On the left is
the coffeeshop, on the right is the Veterinarian and next
to her is a t-shirt screen printing shop. We're all women
owned and operated. Although there is a second
story, there are no tenants on that floor. Long ago
there used to be apartments above.  

During the night of Thursday the 28th-29th of May, looters and rioters protesting the death of George Floyd crossed over into St Paul, looting and destroying businesses along University Avenue. They they turned north and hit a variety of businesses - gas stations, convenience stores, and of course my neighborhood pharmacy, as they continued damaging and looting the area. Around my little four-business building, they hit directly South, directly East and directly Northeast, but our block was saved. 

My pharmacy, kitty-corner from the coffeeshop next door to me, was
looted and burned to the ground. The gas station to the right, across
the street from the coffeeshop was looted, but not fired. The gas
station up a block across the street from us was also looted, almost
completely destroyed inside. It's been gutted and I'm not sure if
they'll ever reopen. 

It was saved because of the efforts of three men who patrolled, cajoled, and protected the block. Brian, who lived on the top story of the building just south of me, John, one of the workers for my landlord who owns much of the block, and Mylan whom I don't know, but I think he operates the detailing shop a bit farther down the block. These three guys talked at least two waves of looters/rioters away from our little block, and patrolled regularly throughout the night, keeping all of us safe. 

When we were able to breathe again, I suggested to Kathy, the owner of the coffee shop next door to me, that we (four business owners) gather together and give the three guys a collective "Thank You" gift for their help. I'm absolutely sure none of us would have had a business to return to without their help. So, I pulled $75 from my personal funds to contribute and I'll talk to the T-shirt gal today about contributing. I'll leave the Veterinarian up to Kathy, and then pass all the funds along to her so that she can purchase Target gift cards for each of the guys. She also wants to include small gift cards for her coffeeshop, and that's fine. That's totally on her. 

People gathered a mile north of my business on Monday,
July 6th to honor the memory of Philando Castile who was
shot in his car without provocation by a police office from
the local township. The town disbanded their police and
their policing is now done by the County Sheriff's department
instead. I'm not sure that's an improvement.

I've been reminding myself for a few days now, so I'm very proud that I finally remembered - LOL. So, onwards. Life moves on, people (hopefully) change for the better, etc. One good thing about all of this was my starting to chat with Brian - the Vietnam vet who lives next door. I see him smoking while his Shih Tzu wanders the area. We've had a few good conversations since the riots. He's a interesting man. 

On that note, I'm out of here. Have a wonderful Friday and I'll be back tomorrow. 

Memorial Day

Monday is Memorial Day here in the US and since it is a National holiday, the store will be closed and I will have the day off. I won't be posting on Monday, so this post will tide me over for both Saturday and Monday.

I honor those who serve on Memorial Day. 

I have been asked by some of my overseas friends to explain what Memorial Day is all about. Here in the US it is an opportunity to honor our veterans. My grandparent's war was WWI, my parents' war was WWII. My own generation's war was Vietnam and, of course, the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have been going on for more than twelve years now.

The Vietnam War was my generation's war. Classmates of mine
graduated from high school and went out to the jungles by
the end of the summer. Some didn't come back home again. 

In each of these wars as well as numerous conflicts around the world, men and women have been called upon to place themselves into the line of fire. They leave families and loved ones behind and travel into areas where they have a good chance of coming under fire from weapons or explosives. I am well aware that the US is often seen as overbearing and unwelcome and even pushy in other parts of the world. I can't disagree with some of it, but when nations are unstable, when they are being invaded or are under attack, the US is often the first nation that will be contacted for assistance. Often we respond to the call and send aid in a variety of forms, from economic aid through advisory personnel and finally, if truly merited and backed by the world in general, troops on the ground and in the air.

Fredericksburg National Cemetery illuminates the cemetery in honor
of Memorial Day. More than 15,000 are buried here. 

Politics can sully everything. When it comes down to it, veterans deserve our respect and our thanks for the sacrifice they have made and that's what Memorial Day is all about.

Thank you for your sevice.

So as we put food on the grills and pop open a frosty beverage, keep a moment free to think and thank those who serve. Have a great weekend.