The Cook Shack--Gab & Grub: Just my personal opinion mind ya, plus an UPDATE! For old times sake, "The Reinlistment Blues"..

Well Sir...as I've stated in several previous posts, following the posting of my first blog-post regarding the Military Courtesy Room at the Syracuse Int. Airport, we (the team who initiated the effort ) where completely overwhelmed and extremely grateful for the absolutely wonderful and patriotic response from folks all over the country who immediately dug into their pockets and helped us get on our way toward bringing the project to fruition.

Then, on Wednesday of this week, The Syracuse Post Standard ran an article by Sean Kirst telling its readers about the project, and this time, we were inundated with offers of donations and folk who wished to volunteer to man the Gregory J Harris Military Courtesy Room. Our phones and E-mail sites were literally swamped. OUTSTANDING job people...absolutely OUTSTANDING!

Now Sir....almost within spittin distance of the Syracuse Airport, there are 2 nationally known Home Improvement stores (HINT: They both have race cars on the NASCAR racing circuit), and, early on, with our hats in our hands, Loren Davies and myself approached their managers, told them what we were doing, and gave them a well prepared Marine Corps League letter explaining the details of the project and how to reach us.

Well Sir...one flat out refused us by letter, and other has never answered us at all. Now, being a realist, I know that my priorities, and whats important to me, are not the same for other folks, BUT, when it comes to NOT supporting our fine, brave Military folks who are making it possible for these two very large conglomerates to do business in this country, I take a very disappointing and dim view of them. Come on guys, would $10, $20 or $50 bucks in cash or materials have bankrupted ya? Gimme a break! BTW....It should also be noted that even a large grocery store chain who may be on the verge of filing Chapter 11 managed to give us a small donation. Thank You!

Soooo....as I stated, this is just my personal opinion but, I will no longer be doing any business with either of the two large and well advertised national hardware store chains, but instead will be giving my personal business to ACE, or True Value, or other smaller local home improvement/hardware stores. It may cost me a few bucks more, but it will be very self satisfying to the old Cookie.....

UPDATE: OK... after correcting a few problems, The Gregory J Harris Memorial website is now up and running correctly. Just use this link....

If you would like to make donations, volunteer to assist us in any way, or just visit and make a comment, please do. There is also an E-Mail address at the site where you can get in touch with us for any reason, Thanks.
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...and...for old times sake....