Parts Town Patriots

In times of strife, everyone ought to have access to freshly-made popcorn.

At least, this is what we believe.

The 10th Mountain Division of the United States Army, currently deployed in Kandahar, Afghanistan, has the unenviable and perilous task of clearing the area roads of explosives. It seems very little to ask, then, that they be able to enjoy a tasty snack reminiscent of home at the end of a hard day’s work. But for the past nine months, the 10th Mountain Division has gone without popcorn due to a broken popper.

But all that is about to change.

Army veteran and onetime helicopter mechanic Scott Maki, currently employed as a parts technician at Parts Town, arrived at work on Monday morning to a call from overseas. Scott has been recognized with an Employee of the Year 2010 award for his determination to provide quality assistance to customers, and his military history only fueled his determination to meet the needs of the 10th Mountain Division. Scott’s technical expertise allowed him to quickly identify the APW Wyott parts needed to repair the broken machine, and the items are currently en route to Kandahar. We are all optimistic that the troops will be enjoying fresh popcorn very soon.

But this is only half the story.

After Scott concluded his parts research, he thought back on his own time overseas. Although Scott’s military service took place during peacetime, he empathized with the feeling of being far from home. The memory motivated Scott to create a care package initiative, backed by the rest of Parts Town. We will be shipping boxes of memorabilia – hats, t-shirts, mugs, and more – featuring the logos of US sports teams. Our hope is that these items will remind the soldiers of home and provide them some comfort for as long as they are away.

Scott is not the only patriot taking initiative and exhibiting a sense of pride in our country. Fellow Employee of the Year 2010 Amy Argentine was inspired by the recent anniversary of the September 11th attacks to acquire and display an American flag at our will-call counter. Amy has put considerable effort into the care of this flag, ensuring that it is clean and respectfully presented at all times.

Our thoughts are with all of our fighting men and women, particularly those of the 10th Mountain Division. You have our support, and we thank you for all the courageous work you do.