Supporting our Law Enforcement Officers...

As I am writing this article pertaining to our recent trip to Myrtle Beach a few other times come to mind when a highway patrol trooper or local police officer has helped Curly and I with moving forward with disabilities in retirement.

I recall almost seven years ago when Curly was staying at Boutwell in Stillwater, Minnesota for his therapy. I was making the usual 90 mile trip back to Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Planning in my head how we would make the move to Fountain Hills, Arizona. In my review mirror I noticed the flashing lights. Thinking they needed to get by I pulled over. They followed...oh crap what did I do now, I thought I was doing the speed limit at 45 mph. Wisconsin has these small towns that it changes down to 35mph. The women officer comes up to my window and asks if I knew how fast I was going and mentioned that it switched to 35 mph around that last corner. Hum, first reaction was tears. I explained to her that my husband had just had a stroke and I must not have been paying attention. She looked at me with her kind eyes and said, "is there someone I could call to drive you home?" Now really, I know my daughters have been concerned but there is no way I am letting them take Grandma home! My answer was, "No, I will be fine." She saw that I had regained my composure and without a ticket I was on my way back to Rice Lake. I think of her often and how by stopping me she made me more aware of the highway and other drivers around me.

The next officer was a New Mexico State Trooper outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico. We carry a lot of supplies, etc. with us when we travel. We had put a soft sided cartop carrier on top of our van. As we were picking up speed I could tell it was not staying in one place. We pulled off the off ramp and I was going to tighten it. Up pulls the highway patrol and he gets it all nice and tight so we could continue on to Minnesota.

Our latest experience was with State Trooper Hoffman, just 60+ miles south of Weatherford, Oklahoma. I heard this banging noise and Curly says, "the tire blew". I pulled over... Calm Curly says we need to contact 911 to see what is available in the area at mile marker 8.5. We truly are a balancing act. He stays calm when I get a little shook. The operator says that she will send a wrecker however, it maybe easier for the Highway Patrol to assess the situation. I looked in my review mirror and yes he was already there. He explained the options ... our van can not run on a donut tire so there is no spare. If they call a wrecker Curly will need to remain in the van as his wheelchair is locked in and he cannot transfer to a seat. Trooper Hoffman takes charge. He checks the tire size, calls the different tire stores and realizes the only option is for him to jack up the van and take the tire in to have a new tire put on. We stay in the van, up on the jack, while the semi's get over in the left lane while they zoom by. I had asked him to give me a call for the credit card when he found the tire. Now I notice that he is back with a tire. He puts it on and when I asked what the price was he said they did not have our size so they put this used tire on and it would get us to Weatherford where they may have one.

Caulkins Conoco in Weatherford, Oklahoma was a God send to us. When I called them on the telephone it was around 4 and they would be open until 8. Yes, they had ONE tire in our size. Curly reminded me how everything is working out...

State Trooper Hoffman and the Caulkins Conoco Station became our guardian angels on this trip. Curly and I were so thankful that God had put these people in our life starting at mile marker 8.5. They gave us courage to keep Moving Forward in Retirement with Disabilities.

Moving Forward that evening we were both able to relax and have a great Mexican dinner at El Patio in Weatherford.

When we hear on the news all the bad press on our officers it literally makes us ill. They put their lives on the line, they help people in bad situations. They allowed us to Move Forward on our trip. Curly and I are very thankful for the men and women in law enforcement!