Memorial Day has come and gone, but the sentiment behind this post rings true every day of the year. This article was originally featured in The OffBeat Business Magazine May 2016 issue.
By Dorothy Skinner
Our focus is on the veterans as we get closer to Memorial Day. We give thanks to our brave men and women that serve our nation and keep our country safe, preserving our freedoms. We pray for comfort for those that have lost loved ones in the past and for those that have family serving now in these very dangerous times.
My husband was in the U.S. Navy and I married my childhood sweetheart in the last year of his service. He had already had his year at sea during the Lebanon crisis. We spent that last year at NAS Jacksonville, Florida before going back to our home state of Wisconsin to start our family.
Gary was a hard worker and always credited his discipline, organization and sticktoitiveness to being in the service. He finished his five year apprenticeship in plumbing through the union in Wisconsin, which required a couple days of school a week and a couple nights a week as well. So he became very knowledgeable in all the areas of plumbing work – large and small. He worked on hospitals and schools and apartment buildings from the ground up. It was only natural that after being a journeyman, in five more years he would become a Master Plumber. He liked what he did and was always looking for more ways to add value to his trade. I know that his determination was very much due to his time in the service and wanting to succeed.
Our family is also very proud to have my granddaughter, Shaina, serving in the Marines for several years – actually since graduating high school. She always said she would be President of the USA some day, and with her grit and determination – I won’t be surprised when I see her name on the ballot one day! Her parents miss her terribly, but they know she is following her desire to serve.
We have many knowledgeable and skilled veterans out there now that are not employed. If you or someone you know is planning on hiring in the near future, please consider hiring a vet. He or she will provide you with more than just the job you need to have done. They will go over and above – because that is just what they do. And they do it best. They have practiced to follow thru – go all the way – don’t quit. These are skills they don’t teach in school but they do learn from military service just as my husband did.
Thank you for your service!
Dorothy Skinner is the owner of Gary’s Quality Plumbing, serving the north Dallas area, Wylie, McKinney, and Allen, Texas. Dorothy and her husband, Gary, raised six children in the plumbing service industry and have built their company of almost 50 years on customer service and fair pricing. Find their ad in The OffBeat Business Magazine.
