By Charlie Adcock, F311374
FMCA National President
November 2015
Hello, My FMCA Family.
Don’t you just love holidays? Those special days set aside on the calendar to remind us of the events, people, activities, or accomplishments that we are encouraged to commemorate and celebrate in various ways as a nation and as individuals. The next one coming up is on November 11, set aside as Remembrance Day in Canada and Veterans Day in the United States.
Of course, having a special day for recognizing and thanking all our veterans is wonderful, but I also am reminded of a great quote by U.S. Representative Randy Neugebauer: “While only one day of the year is dedicated solely to honoring our veterans, Americans must never forget the sacrifices that many of our fellow countrymen have made to defend our country and protect our freedoms.” I would also add that our brothers and sisters from Canada have stood shoulder to shoulder with us, and I want to thank every veteran from the United States and Canada for their unselfish service to our countries.
Most of you know that I am a proud U.S. Air Force veteran, and I just have to tell you about something that happened to me recently. I went to a small barbershop that had been recommended to me. As I was waiting my turn, several more men came in behind me. Finally, it was my turn and I sat down in the chair. While the young barber started to chitchat, I noticed the price list on the wall. I don’t recall the exact prices, but what I did notice was that the list had a special price for “Veterans” that was a couple of dollars off the regular price. And at the bottom of the list, it said, “Active Duty Military Free.” Well, I mentioned to the barber that I am a veteran, and I told him that I really appreciate his way of thanking the veterans, and the way he is giving back to the active-duty military. We talked about his brother-in-law being a disabled vet from the Iraq war, and the troubles the veterans have getting their VA disabilities approved.
When he had finished with my haircut, I reached for my wallet to pay, and the gentleman who was next in line reached around me and handed the young barber two $20 bills and said, “This is for my haircut and for the veteran’s.” I told him he shouldn’t do that, but he and the barber told me to put my money away, because it was no good in the shop that day. I was really touched. In all the years since returning from Vietnam, I have never been thanked so meaningfully or in such a heartfelt way before.
I also have to share a bad news/good news story with you about one of our FMCA members. The bad news is that the gentleman involved suffered a very serious medical incident while on the road. The good news is that he is recovering, and that FMCAssist came through with outstanding support. To give you the details, I asked and received permission from Nancy James to reprint the email she sent to me on August 17.
“Dear Mr. Adcock:
Bill Snyder, F32132, contacted you on behalf of my husband and me — Doug and Nancy James, F436119 — about getting us home from Corpus Christi, Texas, to Amarillo, Texas, after Doug had been infected with a deadly bacteria called Vibrio, found in coastal waters. Doug entered the emergency room of Christus Spohn Shoreline Hospital on June 21, had his leg amputated on the 22nd, and fought for his life for 12 days in ICU. After that he was transferred to a post-acute long-term hospital, as he was still very ill. After a stay of 35 days there, he was released to a rehab facility in Amarillo. He was still very weak, and we had to get him transported to Amarillo by the fastest and most effective way possible.
At your request, Seven Corners did get in touch with me, and we were able to fly my husband and me back to Amarillo. My contact at Seven Corners was a gentleman by the name of Wes. He contacted the case worker in Corpus, the case worker in Amarillo, and an air ambulance and coordinated the whole transport. I am very grateful to FMCA for providing this kind of service to the membership and for our contact with Seven Corners for making an extremely stressful situation a little easier. – Nancy James”
I just got off the phone with Nancy, and she told me that the first amputation was below the knee, but then the knee got infected, and Doug has had to have a second amputation above the knee. Doug is doing better, and his spirits remain good. If you think FMCAssist is not the greatest benefit we have ever had, you need to talk to Nancy and Doug. I want to personally thank Bill Snyder, F32132, for stepping up and helping a fellow RVer. Thanks, Bill. See you at the Six-State Rally.
And now for the mundane report (better known as the adventures and misadventures of your president). While in Michigan in August, Gloria and I joined Jane Roush, FMCA national vice president, Great Lakes Area, and her husband, Roger, in Muskegon to attend the Roving Wolverines chapter rally. The chapter was celebrating its 15th anniversary. We really had a great time. One of the highlights of the rally was a float trip down the White River in rubber rafts. A great (and safe) time was had by all. I am happy to report that I did not fall out of the raft; did not puncture the raft; and arrived with minimal bruises. I don’t think anyone even got wet, but a few got stuck on a sandbar and on fallen trees.
Well, it is time for Gloria and me to end our summer vacation. We left Hearthside Grove, Lot 238, in Petoskey, Michigan (we like to call it “Howdy Corner”), on the Tuesday after Labor Day. We headed to St. James, Missouri, to attend a Gateway Getaways chapter rally on our way home to Arkansas. While with the chapter, we paid a visit to the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James. The chapter cooked hot dogs and brats for all of the veterans and gave them each a goody bag that included useful items such as socks and a flashlight, as well as giving them each an American flag. This took place on September 11 — also known as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance — and was quite an emotional experience.
I hope to see you at an area rally soon. Check the Association Calendar in Family Motor Coaching magazine or online at FMCA.com for dates and locations for all the area rallies and for numerous chapter rallies. And, it is not too early to begin planning your attendance at FMCA’s 93rd Family Reunion & Motorhome Showcase, to be held in Perry, Georgia, March 17-20 2016. It’s going to be another great show! In fact, the registration form for this event appears elsewhere in this magazine, or you can register online at FMCA.com.
Speaking of Perry, FMCA members will have an opportunity to take part in a once-in-a-lifetime event prior to the Family Reunion. I got a call recently from Pat Bauer, president of the Entegra Coach Owners Association, an FMCA chapter. He asked me whether I thought FMCA members might want to try to help set a new world record. Well, that caught my attention. So, I asked, “What kind of world record?”
He had been asked by the presidents of National Indoor RV Centers and Entegra Coach whether he would help to coordinate a prerally to the March FMCA Family Reunion in Perry and then make an attempt to set a new world record for the longest motorhome convoy. Seems the thinking is, if you’re going to have a rally, make it EPIC!
To make a long story short, they’re going to do it . . . and we’re all invited! At the end of the prerally, we all can try to be part of history as we officially participate in an attempt to break the world record for the “Largest Parade of Camping Vehicles (RVs).”
It will all start at the “NIRVC MarchFest — Rally For The World Record,” set to take place at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, Georgia. The convoy will begin on the last day of the prerally, and participants will caravan to the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter, a hundred miles away.
Imagine being part of an attempt at breaking a Guinness World Record and taking a place in history, while at the same time showing the world how great RVing can be! If you’ve always wanted to participate in something really fun and exciting, this could be it. They’re telling us all to save the dates, March 12-15, 2016, and watch for details.
And, as always, remember, “It’s all about having fun!”