Through An 'Old Timer's' Eyes
By Howard 'Mac' McDonald

Webster has several definitions for "volunteer." It can be a person who joins the military to serve our country, or a community servant.

Another definition is, "a plant that is growing spontaneously without direct human control or supervision, especially from seeds lost from a previous crop."

A volunteer tomato plant has sprouted in our driveway. It fascinates me that some seed found its way there and has erupted from the soil.

This hardy little plant has survived the foot traffic and is proudly showing off its yellow blooms.

One of the wags from our Liars' Corner at the Cabin Kitchen advised me to dig up this plant, put it in a bucket, and bring it into the house. He assured me it will produce fruit all winter long.

Linky, after seeing your successful garden, I am going to do this. You will get the first tomato that this plant produces.

Volunteers are a special breed. They step forward when there is a job to be done.

The war in Iraq is being fought by an all-volunteer force. My hat is off to these unselfish individuals. into the Air Force, some old-timers told me, "Mac, don't volunteer for anything, no matter how good the sergeant makes it sound."

I never listened and a couple of times I got burnt. Once, I didn't heed their advice and, yes, I did get to ride everywhere I went. But 30 days on the garbage truck sure did cure me of volunteering for a cushy job!

I also volunteered for overseas duty to get out of some assignments that I didn't like. Both times, I was lucky and things worked out. When I first went to France, I didn't have a job because there were too many guys in the outfit. Once a month I would jump on a plane, get my four hours of flying for my pay, and the rest of the time I goofed off.

We were at a brand new base and there was no American Dependent School. They converted a couple of barracks into classrooms and I got volunteered to run a crew and assemble all the furniture for the school.

Every squadron on base sent troops for me to supervise for this task. I had a crew of 20

men and, if you know anything about the service, they didn't send the cream of the crop. Things were not progressing too well and the base commander fired our worthless major and gave the job to an old WAF captain. Ruthie Grimes and she was as tough as any man who came down the pike.

When I reported to her, at first I laughed. I remember her words: "What's so funny, Sarge?"

I said, "Captain, you're a woman and if a man couldn't get the things we need, how the devil will you?"

"Don't ever underestimate the powers of a women," she replied.

Sound advice, indeed.

Old Ruthie got us the tools we needed and the hardware to put all that furniture together. My troops finally got their act together and we got the job done in time for school to open. Our reward was a three-day pass and it was well received. We did such a good job that we were volunteered to open a kindergarten. This was a also piece of cake because Captain Ruth Rimes was our leader. Another three-day pass was the prize. We never underestimated her power again.