Editor,

On Friday afternoon, April 12, I had a couple events take place that made me realize what fine people we have in Oak Harbor.

I was shopping in the Navy commissary and one of the items I was looking for I did not know where it was located, but I thought I was in the right area.

Another customer in the same area noticed my “lost” expression. She asked if she could help.

She turned her loaded shopping cart around and, with her little child, led me about 30 feet down the aisle to the article I was looking for.

I thanked her for her help. She then asked if there was anything else I was looking for. I replied, “No, and thank you very much.”

She said, “You are welcome,” and continued with her own shopping.

After leaving the commissary, I headed to the West Beach Vista to do my volunteer cleanup.

After I parked and started my cleanup, I noticed cars and about five or six teenagers in a social gathering.

I started picking up some trash along the fence. I was having a little trouble getting one piece of trash into my container. One of the girls came over and said, “Let me help you.”

And with her help, “we” got the job done. I thanked her for the help and continued on my way and she returned to her friends.

I had on my “retired Air Force” cap and one of the boys came up and thanked me for my service, and I believe he said, “My father was in the Marines.”

Anyway, the group of teenagers thanked me for my service and for cleaning up the area. They offered to help with the rest of the cleanup.

What a fine bunch of young people.

After I got home, I realized I did not get the name of the woman who helped with my commissary shopping and the group of young helpers at the West Beach Vista.

Like Clint Eastwood’s famous quote, “you made my day.”

Robert D. Brown

Oak Harbor