July | 2006 | irmakamara's Xanga Site

Master was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Station, North Chicago, Illinois for most of 1958. This is but one of the many eventful stories he has told me over the years.

It was still in the winter of 1958 when Master grew very homesick and decided to apply for some annual leave and visit his dad and stepmother in Denver, Colo.

The leave was approved and although he had only a few dollars in his pocket he set out to hitch hike from Chicago to Denver. He thought it couldn't take too long to travel a few hundred miles.

It took most of his cash just to use the public transportation to the outskirts of the metropolitan area. (hitchhiking in or near Chicago could prove dangerous even in those days)

He made good time and by early the following morning he was deposited on US highway 30 just west of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Standing at the side of the highway, cold and hungry, he decided to go a truckstop diner and get a cup of coffee and whatever nourishment he could afford. After sometime nursing his cup of coffee the waitress asked him if he didn't want some breakfast. He politely refused. Minutes later she brought him a large plate of breakfast including eggs, sausage, toast, and a short stack of pancakes. He was somewhat embarassed to tell her he wasn't able to pay for the meal. She said not to worry about it because it was compliments of the cook. Master said it was one of the most delicious meals he had eaten in many months of Navy food. As he finished he was served apple pie. He asked to be introduced to the cook and the waitress took him back to the kitchen where he was surprised to meet a young guy about his age. He told the cook to give him his name and address and he would promise to repay him for the meal(which later included a bag of sandwiches). The young cook instead told him a story about when he was adrift and homeless in Louisiana not long before. He was picked up by a minister and taken to his home where he was welcomed as one of the family. They fed and clothed him and gave him time to gain some health. When it was time for him to leave, he asked the minister how would he ever repay them for their kindness and generosity. He was told to look for the opportunity to help others and ask them do the same whenever they could. The minister hoped that in a small way the kindness would spread until many more people were helping each other. The cook told Master that he was thankful for the chance to start his payback and hoped that Master would continue the chain. Master was trying to absorb all of this when the waitress came in the kitchen and told him there was a trucker in the dining room who was offering to take him all the way to Denver. It was almost too much for Master and he said he was close to tears when he accepted the ride.

The truck ride was pretty much uneventful for most of the day as they travelled across the rest of Iowa and most of Nebraska. Master said he and the trucker, Bob, exchanged life histories and got to be friends in only a short time. Bob even offered to lease his rig to Master when he finished his Navy hitch and give him the opportunity to go into the trucking business with no large investment. Bob drove for American Red Ball Trucking Co.

The weather started to turn bad so soon as they entered Colorado. This was, after all, winter time. By the time they reached the small town of Brush, Colo. the highway patrol had closed down the road to all traffic. There were over a hundred 18 wheelers in that little town and the town supply of booze was reportedly down to what ever was left "over to the Elks Lodge". Master was seeing his leave time dwindling fast. He and Bob trudged through the storm over to the train depot in hopes that the trains were still in operation. They weren't. Bob strolled up to a lively poker game and announced that he had a sailor here that was short on time and out of money. One of the players just reached in and grabbed the pot and handed it to him. Master doesn't remember how much money it was except it was enough for a train ticket to Denver. Bob then got in touch with the highway patrol officer in charge and told him of the situation. The officer used his radio to telegraph Master's C.O. and get approval for a three day extension on his leave. It was announced that the train would be able to get through the next morning. When Master purchased his ticket he told trucker Bob to be sure and call him the first thing when he arrived in Denver.

When Bob got into town Master's parents invited him their house and rolled out the red carpet for him. They not only wined and dined him, but Master and his dad helped him deliver his goods and unloaded his truck for him.

Master said he lost contact with Bob over the years, but he never forgot to look for the American Red Ball Trucks while on the road. Most importantly he never forgot to keep his promise to that young cook who started that whole sequence of events.

Master says that years later there was a movie that came out called "Pay It Forward". He liked the movie very much and liked the concept even more. Master recommends this movie to everyone. He believes it works...............................