Open Letter to the City of Odessa, Texas:
As the commander of VFW Post 1657 of Pampa, it is my honor and pleasure to address this letter to the very generous citizens and businesses of your fair community.
On 6 April, after extensive effort, hard work and great generosity, a convoy left Odessa loaded with wildfire relief supplies headed for the fire ravaged Panhandle. This effort was made possible by your local VFW and the excellent leadership of their commander, Rick Mitchell. Another example of veterans still serving their community and country.
At its inception, the plan was for approximately four 18-wheelers loaded with hay and a few goose neck and bumper pull trailers loaded with other needed livestock and human supplies.
On departure day, those numbers had ballooned to 12 semi’s and numerous trailers and pickups loaded to the brim with your generosity. However, nature had decided to play a hand in the day, and the convoy would face a 50 plus mile an hour wind very similar to the monster that stoked the earlier wildfire that did so very much damage (over two million acres and thousands of head of livestock lost).
To say the least, it was a daunting task and the convoy was forced to pullover several times to adjust loads and tighten straps. At one point during the trip, I am told the highway and surrounding area was decorated with an array of flying toilet paper which had broken loose from one of the trailers.
The original plan was for the convoy to take approximately six hours to make the trip and for it to come down main street at around 1 p.m. However, with the wind and the many stops, I had no expectations for that timetable to be met.
As a result of stellar leadership and hard work by so many, at just a few minutes after 1 p.m. that convoy was driving down Pampa’s main street with the Pampa Harvester Band playing their little hearts out welcoming the “Odessa Convoy.”
Many of the drivers brought wives, girlfriends and children with them and upon arrival, all these individuals pitched in and helped with the unloading of all the supplies.
Jesus told us to love our neighbor like ourselves, and the generosity of Odessa, Texas, is a shinning example of that teaching. One or one hundred “thank yous” will not start to express our gratitude, but you can be assured that Odessa has a friend in Pampa and if and when you need us, we will be there. Texans helping Texans, it just doesn’t get any better than that.
With warmest regards,
John L. Tripplehorn
Commander, VFW Post 1657, Pampa
