You Never Know

I had to get the battery replaced in my “good watch” so I left work at lunch and headed to the closest jewelry store. It’s a small place. They do custom work there. When I walked in, a man came from the back of the shop and I told him what I needed done. He took down my information, including my phone number, and then asked me about the area code since it isn’t local to the area.

I gave him the same explanation I always give, “It’s North Carolina. I’m a retired Army guy and I never had it changed.” The jeweler gave me a quizzical look. “Fort Bragg?” he asked. I replied yes and told him I was in the 82nd Airborne Division. He smiled and said “me too.” Instant connection. INSTANT.

We shook hands and started swapping stories. We were there in different times. He was there in the late 1960s. I was there ‘99-03 and again ‘07-12. He was a Viet Nam era guy. I am an Afghanistan and Iraq guy. He was in the 504th PIR. I was 505th. Lots of differences but we were the same. Paratroopers.

When my publisher recommended I start a blog on my website I was reluctant, mostly because I didn’t know where to start. I knew once I got going it wouldn’t be difficult, but I knew getting started would be the hard part.

When I walked out of the jewelry shop, I had one of those “lightbulb moments”. This was the start of my blog. A chance link up on a “drop zone” with another Paratrooper. Completely unexpected but made my day. Hopefully, it made his too.

Oh, and that’s his business card in the photo. If you’re in the area and need something done, stop by and see him.