A Shout-Out To Sylva’s Towing
Dear Pamela,
Recently I was in a group of 15 adults traveling to the North Shore to a charity benefit for Courage House. Our large passenger van lost power on the H-1 near Aiea. As we sat on the berm contemplating a plan, after five minutes a tow truck pulled off to help. Though we had not called it, the driver offered to tow all 15 of us and our van to a nearby shopping plaza to get us off the highway. He did that and then would accept no payment and went on his way.
It was Sylva’s Towing.
Monique Canonico
Kailua
Dear Monique,
Clifford Sylva says a good part of his work is helping people on the road. “When I see people in need, we just help them. This van was on the freeway. There’s no way all those people could get out and start walking. I took them to a shopping center where they could get water, use the restrooms and call for other transportation.”
Dear Pamela,
As I was exiting Longs at Pali Highway, a strong gust of wind knocked me off my cane and I fell and hit my head on the concrete trash bin. I am 87 years old and my balance is not all that good. Before I knew it, a gentleman came to my rescue and picked me up. Also a young lady from Longs came rushing over. A man, also from Longs, brought me a chair so I could sit down. I never got their names, and I never got the chance to say thank you. The young lady stayed with me until I was able to continue with my walk. She offered to drive me home. I am so grateful.
Jane Cooper
Moanalua
Dear Jane,
Longs Drugs Pali manager Jodi Wanstead appreciates your effort to thank the employees who came to your assistance. “We’re so happy Mrs. Cooper is feeling better. We try to be there for all our customers.”
Aloha Pamela,
We were at Foodland Market City when I went back out to the parking lot to get something from the car. A man came up to me and said, “Are you the Marine?” We have stickers on the back of our SUV that say 1st Marine Division, Chosen Few, Vietnam – Vet and Retired Marine. He shook my hand and thanked me for my service. I thanked him for caring.
Later, when we were leaving the store, the cashier said, “No charge to you. A man came in and wants to pay your bill.” It was the same man! (I was glad we had purchased very little). When we got out to the car, a note was on my windshield, saying, “Thanks for my freedom.” I accept this thoughtful gift in the name of all Marines and corpsmen in 1/3/5 1st Marine Division killed between August 1950 and January 1951 and all the air observers killed under my command in my two trips to Vietnam.
It touches my heart when someone demonstrates patriotic gratitude for what others have done for us. SemperFi.
Jack Luckett, Marine
Ala Moana
P.S.: We often clip your column and send it to friends and family. I feel it demonstrates the world we live in and why we chose to live here!
Dear Jack and Eulalia,
“I think what Jack said sums it up. It ‘touches’ a Marine’s ‘heart’ every time someone shows us genuine gratitude,” says Staff Sgt. D.R. Cotton, spokesman for U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. “The support of the American people is an important part of what keeps us going.”
