Claybank Day...it was a good turnout and some soldier will receive a very special Christmas Card

Every year on the first Saturday in October our small southeast Alabama town of Ozark celebrates the Claybank Jamboree. Claybank Day as it is more commonly called, is held downtown around the square where they display some of the local arts and crafts. If you are a regular to this event you probably want to see the locally made quilts and enjoy the variety of food offered nowhere else...everything from the great American hot dog to 'gator-on-a-stick'! Then there are the local bands that will entertain you with music...the Carroll High School band and the U.S. Army band from nearby Fort Rucker are regulars. And lets not forget the kids. There's kiddie amusements and entertainment...and I know I liked it when I was a kid, cotton candy!
Members of the Alabama State Defense Force (ALSDF) use this day to solicit signatures from fellow Alabamians for Christmas cards to be sent to our Alabama soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Last year we sent over 3,000 cards to our Alabama heroes. We...the ALSDF, provide this service absolutely free of charge...all we want is for our fellow servicemen and women to receive a touch of home at Christmas time.
As you can see from the following slide show pictures we get an excellent turnout.

Occasionally someone will ask, "What shall I say?" We respond with, "Anything that comes to mind like, "Hurry home.", "Thank you for your service.", or simply sign your name with a Christmas wish.
It was about mid-morning when I took my turn at the tables assisting the others garnering signatures when along came this young lad just barely head and shoulders above the edge of the table. Without hesitation the young boy began scratching out his message on one of the available Christmas cards. When he was finished he looked up to me and asked, "Can you check the spelling?" I said, "I certainly can." as I looked at his card, "... the spelling is just fine. but wow!" as he turned and disappeared into the crowd. I just have to share with you, the little boy's profoundness...

Click on picture to enlarge.

Norman E. Hooben