Day 16 PPS (or is it PSS) (I forget...)

I was all set to sit down and fire out a September 11th post, I really was.  I'm not usually one to keep bringing it up but for some reason, today, it felt right for me to comment about it.  Maybe to kind of swing my posts back to a more political type rambling instead of the pink updates journal it's been while I was on tour.

That changed when I got home and checked the mail.

There was an envelope, addressed to me, with a return address from McLaughlin, SD.  As you may recall (geez I hope you recall, I just wrote about it a week ago) that was a small town in northwestern South Dakota that we visited on tour.  The town where John rode the bull.  Yeah, that town.  

I opened the envelope and found a copy of the local newspaper with a huge picture of us on the front page and three more full color pages of us inside.  It included a post-it note saying-

"Thanks for making the stop here memorable for everyone."

And it was signed by (I think) the fire chief's wife.

Holy crap.

What an awesome town.  

I fired off my second ever Letter to the Editor and pasted it below.  I redacted my own name only

Editor

Corson/Sioux County News-Messenger

P.O. Box 788

McLaughlin, South Dakota 57642

September 11, 2012

To the Editor,

I’ve addressed this to the “Editor” and while that may be technically correct, it’s not accurate.  This letter is more to the amazing people of McLaughlin, South Dakota.

Thank You.

My name is ********** and I was one of the drivers that pulled in to your town on September 3rd.  The reception we got, from the very beginning at Dallas’ farm through the escort out of town, was nothing short of remarkable.  We talked about it for days after.  

I grew up in a small (population 500 or so) rural town in northern Illinois, surrounded by cornfields.  I’m familiar with the type of folks that live in and around a town like McLaughlin, and while I wasn’t surprised at the warm reception we got from you, it was, without doubt, one of the high points of my time on tour.  My impression of McLaughlin and her residents was confirmed today when I went to the mailbox and found a copy of the local paper with a note that said... 

“Thanks for making the stop here memorable for everyone”

I’m sure I can speak for all the drivers when I say; please be assured, you all made the stop memorable for us.

Thanks again for your kindness. 

Sincerely,

**********

It's one of the places I hope I never forget.  

Pink Heals!

Peace.