I recently had a unexpected family emergency come up. I received a phone call at 7 a.m. that my father was going into surgery for an aneurism and probably wouldn’t make it. After a 4 or 5 hour surgery he spent about another hour and half in ICU before he passed away. I had been in contact with several organizations to help me get tickets to attend his funeral; success came when family purchased them. Last item I needed was a ride to Seattle’s airport.

I called everywhere, not a dime to my name, but my family and friends here in Oak Harbor were unable to help. So I was at the end of a long line of resources with no luck. I took a chance and called a number in front of the Navy section of the phone book. I am indebted to the two service men who helped me out, 0. James Short and Mark Slawson. They drove me to the airport on their own time.

No, I am not a member of nor married to anyone in the service, however my dad did serve 20 years in the Navy before retiring years ago. Although I had my differences with my father (don’t we all), it was important for me to have my son, his only grandchild, be there to say good-bye.

I hear and read so much about are Navy community, some good and some not so good. Our Navy deserves our respect and admiration, because they chose to enlist and defend our country (this goes for all of our enlisted service men and women). And sometimes just like ordinary citizens they choose to go above and beyond the call of duty to help someone like me. Thank you, Jim and Mark, for getting me to the airport when no one else could or would.

Karen S. Conkle

Oak Harbor