MILESTONES

Last night was the Pepsi Party. They reward people that have put in many years with the company. Three people got recognized for 20 years with Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of Eastern Oregon. Gareld has them beat and he has been there 30 years! Can you believe that? He's too young to have been there for that length of time. He was just a skinny, young man with his first baby on the way when he started loading trucks there. They presented him with this gun. It's a "22 on steroids" is how it was described. A 17HMR if that means anything to you gun enthusiasts out there. He got a HUGE gun safe a couple weeks ago. After he had all his guns in it I misspoke and said, "you have room for more guns". "You said it", he responded.
So now he has another gun and that should satisfy him for awhile.

A few weeks ago a couple of people from the fire department called me and let me know they wanted Gareld to attend the Christmas Party. It was a secret but not hard to pull off. I just assumed we'd be going all along and played it that way. They give out the yearly recognitions at this party. Gareld resigned in March after 20 years with the LaGrande Fire Department. The chief presented him with his helmet mounted on a plaque. He got a standing ovation and some of the members said some nice things about his service. We live a little far out of town to be a part of it anymore. It was an important part of his life for a long time.