Common Ground

 

Welcome.

Welcome to the very first blog edition of Socks and Cookies. An amazing grass roots organization gathering and sending support, love and a bit of home to our active and deployed Service Men and Women.

We don't know each other, (yet) and we come from many different and varied places throughout this great land of ours. But we share more in common than we realize. Not least of which is that we all feel grateful and blessed to live in the United States of America; Land of the free and home of our brave service men and women.

 You see, I'm a born and bred city boy from none other than New York City. But I spent many of my summers growing up in the Catskill Mountains, upstate NY where I learned to fish and fell in love with the outdoors. What does this have to do with #Socks and Cookies? And what does a city slicker have in common with a Southern gal from Arkansas? Bring it in... I'm gonna tell you a story...

I love fishing. I love all kinds of fishing; Standing on a bank, out in my kayak, out for a day of fun with buddies or competing in a kayak bass fishing tournament. I simply love fishing. And about 28 years ago the Wife and I moved ourselves and two children up to the Hudson Valley, NY surrounded by lakes, rivers and mountains.

I also love supporting our military men and women. I'm kinda passionate about both...

Two years ago, as the kayak tournament season was about to start my fishing club hears about this organization, Socks and Cookies running charity fishing tournaments called Kickin bass 4 troops. You can visit them here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kickinbass4troops

I was excited... Here's me excited:


 Some lady from Arkansas had this crazy idea to raise money to send care packages to our active and deployed military men and women by hosting fishing tournaments. I need to say that again...


Some lady from Arkansas had this crazy idea to raise money to send care packages to our active and deployed military men and women by hosting fishing tournaments.

That lady is Shannon Modisette. In fact, everybody meet Shannon. Shannon, this is everybody...


I was thrilled! I could combine my love of fishing with my support of our service men and women through Socks and Cookies? Sign me up! oh, and you can check them out on FB right here; https://www.facebook.com/socksandcookies

 Wanting to do more for Socks and Cookies I came up with an idea to raise money for SaC, that's short for Socks and Cookies through Triathlon with a buddy. I decided to call Shannon Modisette from Arkansas. But what would we talk about? Here I am from the land of "Fuggedaboudit" calling to talk to a lady from the land of Southern hospitality.

I would tell you what we talked about but there isn't enough word count here. We spoke for more than an hour. After the  first few awkward minutes it was like sitting on the porch, or on the corner just talking about, well everything. Truth is, anytime we talk on the phone it seems to wander and weave and venture beyond just our passion for supporting our Troops into life.... All of it.

We come from vastly different backgrounds, places, upbringing and football teams but we found that we shared much more, not to mention how much a kick we get out of hearing each other speak. You know, she's got this cute Southern drawl while I have no hint of an accent at all... ;)

We both have a deep love of Family, Faith, Country and a deep respect for our brothers ans sisters, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters serving our country in the Military here and abroad. Something we do not take lightly or for granted.

This is not about politics or war or what separates us. It's about this...


These are our neighbors serving and sacrificing. Being away from family and loved ones so that we can live in freedom with ours.

...and best of all, we can help support them with such minimal effort that brings so much joy simply by clicking and donating whatever we can. Take a look, a bit of home to show we support and remember our troops...

Are you kidding me? Look at that smile.... Fuggedaboudit!

We live in difficult times. It's easy to see what divides and separates us. But we share so much common ground even if the roads to that common ground take different directions and may wind and turn often and long before we meet. Family, Faith, Love of Country and Support for our Service Men and Women...

Visit Socks and Cookies and give some support and comfort to our active and deployed military... 

https://www.facebook.com/socksandcookies

I look forward to sharing stories from some our troops and their families in upcoming Socks and Cookies blogs...

Eric J

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