THE ROD - Neil Travis - Feb 13, 2012

THE ROD

I don’t normally visit garage sales. I already have more stuff than I need so I don’t visit garage sales, rummage sales, yard sales or auctions. However, one day I found myself at loose ends in a strange town while my wife was receiving medical treatments and as I was out for a walk I chanced upon a garage sale. As I was passing by I noticed a table that had some books piled on one end and what appeared to be some fishing gear on the other end. Certainly more out of curiosity than need I wandered over and glanced at the book titles and the fishing gear. The books were fiction titles and the fishing gear consisted of a few inexpensive spinning rods, a tackle box with some rusting lures and jigs, and some other miscellaneous bait fishing items. As I turned to go an older woman approached me.

Absolutely beautiful! Thank you…

Great story Mr. Travis. I was given a copy of the history of the 1st Inf Division for Christmas in 2010. There were a lot of young men who did not come home from that unit.

Neil,
Loved your story. Thanks so much.
Randy

This may just be the best story I’ve ever read on FAOL. Thanks.
John

Thank you for a great story. A respect for craftsmanship, Service, honor and courage and doing what is right.
Dick

Wonderful story.
Very emotional, it pulled at my heart strings.

Thank you.

Neil, thanks very much for the story. Take care, John.

That was a great story Neil.

Joe

You are to be saluted sir. A heart warming story. Many thanks.

David

Well done Neil!

Strong story well written. Thank you so much for posting it. ~Paul, ex-Cpl, USArmy ('53-'55)

Oh, that’s good! Great job!