Traveling in our RV across the country has reaffirmed one thing that we do not see very often in the 24/7 news media—the goodness of America. People all over America are hospitable, helpful, kind, and quite frankly, honest to goodness everyday heroes. Yes, heroes. They get up in the morning. They go to work. They take care of business. They take care of others. Even if they are retired, they are still contributing in some way. They are productive members of society who keep this country going despite the restrictions placed on them by government, bad leadership, weather, or whatever other obstacles that come before them. They bring joy to those around them. Americans.
There is a campground on the Georgia-Florida state line that takes us back in time to the days of Roy Rogers and the rugged individualism of the old west. In fact, the owner of Country Oaks, Lonnie Gay, is a bit of a throwback to those days when much of America romanticized the Cowboy Way. Lonnie and his family carved out the 18 acres for the campsite in nearly 30 years ago and it remains a family-run business. Lonnie, in his spare time, runs with a wagon train outfit that takes local trips and often ends up at his nearby farm for Bar-B-Q and entertainment around the campfire. He leads an American pioneer life and shares it with the rest of us through neighborly love at Country Oaks.
We happened along an unassuming place alongside the road, Pop’s Southern Buffet. Pop greeted us out front. I rolled down the window and Pop directed us where to park our rig. Pop is a veteran and he loves America. The signs in the window say it all: “Thank You For Your Service,” “Honor Courage Sacrifice,” “Retired Military,” “Active Military,” “First Responders & RNs.” Good Southern buffet—fried chicken, crawdads, vegetables, BBQ—nothing fancy. Just good home cooking. And they were happy to welcome Service Dog Charlie. We just missed it, but every day at 4:00pm, Pop plays the National Anthem in support of America.
And there was Marty and Linda, who invited us to their home after reading my column for several years. They must have been watching for us because Linda was in their yard waving at us when we were turning onto their road. Marty helped guide our RV into the driveway. It was a warm greeting as if we knew each other for years. In a short hour, we covered a lot of ground about our lives, our love of God and our country. In their earlier years, Marty had meticulously built a boat they used in mission work in the Caribbean. In their 70s and 80s, and their sailing days are over, Linda has a network of folks she ministers to and Marty supported a prayer team at their church until he went home to heaven a few weeks ago.
These are just a few examples of the goodness of America, each having their own unique story that is a piece of the fabric that ties us all together. And without an RV life, heroes we may have never met.
