Yesterday, my car broke down on the way back from a meeting in Virginia Beach. Despite being a miserly, parsimonious and niggardly skinflint who loathes unexpected expenses, I am in a cheerful mood. The reason: I met some good people  who helped me along my way. There are a lot of people who sit on their ass and complain all day, and then there are those  of good spirits who “get after it.” These are my kind of people. My ebullient spirit this morning arises out of my love for this country and my experience yesterday dealing with what I would call the “American ethos.”

Rob and His Water Pump

Something was wrong. I pulled off the J. Clyde Morris Blvd exit in Newport News, and luckily limped into an Advance Auto. At the counter was  Paul,  a huge guy with a long pony tail. Kind and articulate, Paul came outside and helped me think through the issues. Later Russ, an older retired military employee added his analysis. It appeared highly likely that I was going to spend Easter weekend at a Motel 6 on Highway 17. Paul called Nathan, a local mechanic, who showed up at the store. On top of the burnt bearings and  broken wheel house, Paul determined that my water pump had busted. It was late Friday afternoon on a holiday weekend. Amazingly, Advance had all the parts for my German car. Nathan  then suggested we get the car to his house, and he would fix it for me, so I could get back on the road to Richmond. He invited me into his home. Nathan grew up in Minnesota, joined the Air Force at 18 and served 20 years. He was exceedingly polite and conscientious. I enjoyed his company. After he fixed it, he wanted me to drive it a few miles to make sure things were up to snuff and then wanted me to text him when I got back. He said, he didn’t want to worry if I got home safely.

Washington elites and haughty over educated people do not impress me. Guys like Nathan, Paul and Russ do. To me, they epitomize what makes America great. They get after it, and they develop skills and personality traits, not through the Ivy Tower, but through their their own initiative. They live in a world of community standards, where kindness, honesty and helping others is the norm. Hooray for America!

Nathan’s # is 507-920-6836. The Advance store’s # is 757-595-3536.