Gentlemen Sailors To The Rescue
Dear Pamela,
After a business lunch in the Pearlridge mall area, I discovered that I had a flat tire. I thought I could make it to a gas station, but within a block I realized this was not going to happen. The one-lane road had no sidewalks or places to pull over, so I found myself pulled over on a side street on a hill.
Just then I heard some clean-cut gentlemen calling out if I needed assistance changing the tire. I thanked them for their offer but said that I could call someone. I was mortified at the thought of troubling anyone.
I should also further mention that they were walking and had to make an effort to follow me to where I parked my vehicle. In other words – they truly went out of their way to assist me when they really didn’t have to. They said that it would only take them a few seconds.
Like any mini-van-driving, Girl Scout leader mom, I pulled up tons of kid stuff and showed them where the spare was located. I could tell that they really knew what they were doing, and I thought how fortunate I was to have them assist me. The tire was tougher to change than anticipated since the jack that was with the tire was quite small and we were on the hill.
They could have easily bowed out at this point, but they obviously liked a challenge.
I found out they worked on the engine crew for the USS Carl Vinson and were here for a day or two on their way home from being deployed in the war zone.
That is when I felt tears in my eyes. These gentlemen had been deployed, serving our country, and on their few minutes of time off, they chose to spend their time changing my tire. I couldn’t believe it.
I asked for their names and they hesitated since they truly did this kindness out of their own hearts. I insisted on at least mailing their families some chocolates to thank them. These men from the Carl Vinson made such a great impact on me that day with their kindness and decency. Zane Tallis and Jeremy Whiteaker are a tremendous reflection on the men and women who serve our country, and I consider myself fortunate to have crossed their path – not just because they changed my tire, but because they reminded me of how important kindness and decency are in our daily lives.
Marie Kumabe, Kaimuki
Dear Marie,
Engineman Fireman Spencer Z. Tallis and Engineman 2nd Class Petty Officer Jeremy Whiteaker work in the Reactor Department of the USS Carl Vinson, which is based in San Diego.
“Zane and Jeremy represent the majority of our service members, where random acts of kindness are a normal occurrence,” says Lt. Cmdr. Erik Reynolds, USS Carl Vinson’s Public Affairs Officer.
“Pearl Harbor was our last port visit on our deployment. As always, our sailors were welcomed by the warm hospitality of the wonderful people of Hawaii, and our memories of our short stay there will last with us forever.”
If you’d like to write to them, here’s the address:
USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70)
CARRIER STRIKE
GROUP ONE FPO AP 96629-2840
Hi Pamela,
Recently, I left town suddenly and asked someone to look after my house. I left a light on and they watered the plants but forgot to bring in the mail. I was gone for 10 days.
When I got back, I found a message from the police that said my mail carrier had contacted them worrying about me. He had seen my light on, my car in the driveway but my mail piling up in the mailbox.
The police heard my message that I was out of town and due back soon. When I saw my mailman, I gave him a big hug. Our postal workers are a part of our community and they are looking out for us. I want to say a big MAHALO to the member of the Manoa postal community who went out of his way for me. I know the postal service is hurting. If you ask me, they can double the rate of mailing a letter. Community is a difficult thing to put a price on these days.
Kathi Saks, Manoa
Dear Kathi,
Your mail carrier was most likely Elpidio Cadavona.
“It’s always a pleasure to hear examples of exceptional customer service provided by our postal employees,” says U.S. Postal Service corporate communications specialist Duke Gonsales. “Our mail carriers strive to provide timely and courteous delivery services to every customer, and certainly develop attachments to the communities and customers they serve. So, it’s no surprise to me that Elpidio took the time to share his concerns about Ms. Saks’ residence with the authorities. I’m sure he was relieved to find out that, despite appearances, Ms. Saks was perfectly fine and that he appreciated her words of thanks and her big hug. It may be difficult to put a price on community, as Ms. Saks points out, but a big hug is priceless anytime!”
