Dorothy Brush "Random Thoughts" Published Dec. 1, 2004

Maine has a long history of being a "stop"

Officially Maine is known as the "Pine Tree" state but their state magazine is named Down East, perhaps because it is the most northeasterly state in the U.S. It is New England's largest state and posts some very cold temperatures, but a large group of Tennesseans learned it is home to citizens with warm and big hearts.

The story appeared in the Chattanooga Times Free Press last week. That paper's Military Affairs reporter Edward Lee Pitts is accompanying the 278th Regimental Combat Team headed for Iraq. He described their plane's first refueling stop in Bangor, Maine. In the 19th century travelers thought of Maine as the last stop on the eastern seaboard, and for our Tennessee troops aboard this plane, it would be the last time on U.S. soil for 12 months.

The stop was long enough for the passengers to deplane and as they entered the airport a group of about 40 people was waiting to welcome them. There was cheering and clapping. Signs were held with "heroes" written on them. There were handshakes all around and as they reached the end of the line they were handed wireless phones to make a free last call home.

They were ushered into another room where free drinks and cookies were waiting. Some in this welcoming group were retired military but all involved are faithful and someone is there for every flight carrying troops whether they are leaving or arriving back home. No matter what time of day someone is there. They have met 721 flights carrying 130,747 troops and two dogs.

When those Tennessee Volunteers began to reboard, the reporter said, "Hugs replaced handshakes for many." As they settled into their seats for the long flight ahead they remembered the words of those caring Down Easterners, "Take care, be safe and we'll be here when you get back."

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There are many ways to work for a better world. Often force is the only answer. One group found another way. Heifer International introduced their belief that "not a cup but a cow" could make a worldwide difference. Just after World War II ended in 1945, the fledgling organization sent cows to China. Two years later they sent goats to postwar Japan and in 1960, in spite of the Cold War, they sent a shipment of heifers to Russia as a symbol of friendship between peoples.

Animals weren't just given and forgotten. Families were trained in the care of the animal. They learned that one good dairy cow could produce up to four gallons of milk daily which was enough for the family and still more to share with another family and more left to sell. A healthy cow can have a calf every year and the first calf from each heifer was to be passed on to another family in need.

By 1967 over 10,000 heifers and over one million chickens had been distributed. The program expanded into Africa, Asia and South and Central America. Today they are in more than 225 countries. Their holiday catalog lists many ways the public can be involved. Prices are given for buying a whole heifer, goat, sheep, pig, water buffalo or llama. You can buy three rabbits, flocks of chickens, ducks or geese or even honeybees or seedlings.

Best of all is that you can buy a share of one of these creatures for as little as $10. What a wonderful gift to give in the name of a child especially if you take the time to explain to the youngster what that money will do for the family that receives one of the animals. It is a gift that keeps on doing good for generations. In 2003, <I>Forbes Magazine<I> said, "Heifer International - one of our top ten Gold Star Charities." To get their colorful, fact-filled holiday catalog or to give a gift, call 1-800-422-0755 or go online at www.heifer.org.

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Dorothy Copus Brush is a Fairfield Glade resident and Crossville Chronicle staffwriter whose column is published each Wednesday.