Writing and Editing Services
  Rosebud Communications
  • Home
  • About
  • Projects
    • Clients
  • Rose's Red Pen Blog
  • A Rose in Oz Blog
  • Photos Down Under
  • Contact

Parachute Packing

1/8/2015

2 Comments

 
Picture
Captain Charlie Plumb was shot down over Vietnam in 1967 and spent six years as a prisoner of war. In his book, Insights into Excellence, he recounts an incident that happened years after his return.

He was having dinner in Kansas City when a man came up to his table and said, "You're Captain Plumb." Plumb wrote about what the man said next:

"'You flew jet fighters in Vietnam. You were on the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down. You parachuted into enemy hands and spent six years as a prisoner of war.'
I said, 'How in the world did you know all that?'
He replied, 'Because I packed your parachute.'
I was speechless. I staggered to my feet and held out a very grateful hand of thanks. This guy came up with just the proper words. He grabbed my hand, he pumped my arm and said, 'I guess it worked.'"

As Colonel Art Athens remarked in his column, that story reminds us to think about all the people in our lives that "pack our parachutes," who make it possible for us to do what we do. With 2015 beginning, and the blog now a year old, I wanted to thank all the parachute packers in my professional life.

Thanks to my clients, who continue to provide interesting work. Thanks to the writers who submit clean, professional manuscripts and trust me to edit them. Thanks to every person I work with who treats others with good humor, kindness, and respect. Thanks to all of those who explain the grammar rules and compile the style guides and etymological dictionaries. Thanks to my colleagues, who are always willing to discuss plots and characters and contribute ideas for the blog. Thanks to all of the readers who have discovered Rose's Red Pen over the last year and decided they liked it. For all of those parachute packers: best wishes for 2015!





2 Comments
Diane
1/8/2015 10:31:57 am

Best wishes to you in 2015! I am very thankful for our lifelong friendship.

Reply
Rose
1/8/2015 08:57:23 pm

Happy New Year! When I count my blessings, having you as a friend is at the top of the list.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    Action
    Books
    Dialogue
    Editing
    Grammar
    Mechanics
    Punctuation
    Usage
    Verbs
    Writing

    Author

    Rose Ciccarelli offers writing and editing services through Rosebud Communications.

    Archives

    July 2019
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos used under Creative Commons from Camp Pinewood YMCA, ChrisL_AK, sylvrilyn, Banjo Brown, OC Always, CapCase, John-Morgan, quinn.anya, poppet with a camera, quinn.anya, Moyan_Brenn, pierre bédat, iansvendsplass, Philippe Put, Hackley Public Library, mrhayata, amslerPIX, romana klee, n_sapiens, perpetualplum, Images_of_Money, trophygeek, fontplaydotcom, Thomas Leth-Olsen, reynermedia, U.S. Army Europe Images