September 2008

THE SPIRIT OF AMERICA IS TRULY OUR PEOPLE!

Hello America, this is Billy McGehee, Founder of AFA, writing to you from downtown Houston, Texas. I am here because this is what AFA is all about; Protecting * Serving * Educating and Making A Difference in peoples lives. Once again, I have seen with my own eyes what makes America so very special…….The Spirit of Our People! My journey to Houston started yesterday from New Orleans, Louisiana. It is a special place because it is my homeland. I witnessed its destruction firsthand just three short years ago when Katrina left her mark. The drive through south Louisiana showcased both the awesome power and total devastation of both Gustav and IKE. Homes and highways as far as the eye could see are underwater, roof tops and windows gone, power lines and trees flattened, buildings destroyed. So much destruction and misery.

But then there are the people. Volunteers everywhere helping neighbors and strangers. Miles and miles of trucks lining the highways from all across America heading straight into the disaster zone. From Minnesota, Michigan, Virginia, Florida, Missouri, and Oklahoma just to name a few states, I saw electrical, tree service, telecom, home builders, flood service companies, food service companies, EMS, Fire and Police all coming to help. As I got closer to Houston, only a few places had gas and food. The lines for both were hours long but everyone was helpful. People I have never met before and will probably never see again reached out with a helpful hand and word. That is what America is! That is what makes America great! I just don’t know exactly why it takes a disaster to bring it out of us.

Now as I sit here in a deserted downtown Houston watching all of the individuals working together cleaning the debris away, trying to restart this great city, I know that these are the real athletes. These are the moms and dads who love their families, love their friends and neighbors, love their communities and most importantly love this country. These are the ATHLETES FOR AMERICA that I want on our team. These are the ATHLETES who really understand what it means to PROTECT * SERVE * EDUCATE and MAKE A DIFFERENCE in our country.

It is strange but every great tragedy seems to bring with it some unexpected gift. I saw that gift today. It came in the hearts of all these volunteers. It came in the people who have traveled from all across America to help rebuild the lives of those they have never met. It came from a young couple who offered me some food at the truck stop on Interstate 10. An unexpected gift of kindness from strangers, it’s just that simple……….. and so is AFA.