Spread The Better: JOANN & CHARLIE

Maryland

As we made it to Maryland we passed a sign that let us know they were open for business. I hope they were also ready for the Be Better Brigade.

Our first visit was in Baltimore. Not only was William not expecting us, but he was not home. We had attempted to make contact with him but didn't have the correct phone number. We thought we'd take a stab at it anyway. He lives in a beautiful area in Baltimore and the kids were excited to go up his front steps to leave the bands and cards we'd brought for him.

Choice and Tate

Ryder, Choice, Shiloh, and Tate

Choice, Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder

Thank you William for being one of the many wonderful people in our great country who follow the promptings of your heart and compassionately serve others.

The next Maryland visit was one we were looking forward to very much. I had the opportunity to chat with Joann and knew that she would be home and ready to welcome us with open arms. And that, she was. What a sweetheart! From the moment we pulled up in our giant bus, she swung open the door and invited us right in. All of this, unbeknownst to us, while in the middle of a family emergency. This family situation was the reason that, unfortunately, we were not able to meet her husband Charlie today.

Tate, Joann, Ryder, and Juliann

Juliann, Shiloh, Ryder, and Joann

We had such a lovely time visiting with Joann. She was born and raised in Maryland and has lived here her whole life. That made it special to discuss this beautiful state with her as she had a very deeply rooted understanding of the history and culture. It was evident by the way she had Maryland souvenirs for each of us. She gave each of the kids a Maryland teddy bear, a Maryland flag, and a book about the symbolic meaning of their state flag. She gave me a beautiful book full of information on Maryland as well as a Maryland crab sticker for the bus. Such a treat!

Joann, Juliann, Ryder, Choice, and Shiloh

Ryder, Choice, Tate, Shiloh Joann, and Juliann

Ryder, Joann, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice

After feeling as if Christmas morning had arrived with all of Joann's gifts, the kids were anxious to give her the tokens of gratitude we'd brought for her. It was truly touching to see Joann moved to tears as she read the cards the kids had made for her.

Shiloh and Joann

Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Joann

Ryder, Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Joann

I was happy to give Joann a "Spread the Better" shirt and thank her for living her life in that manner.

Tate and Joann

Joann and Juliann

While I thanked Joann for the heroic way in which she and her husband, Charlie, served our family during our time of need, she shared with us that they have another hero in their family. Her son-in-law, Navy Captain Edward Zawislak, saved the life of Ms. Jennifer Bennett, who fell subject to a shooter in the Navy Yard Shooting two years ago.

Edward and Ms. Bennett

Please click on the link below to read this miraculous story. The following is a beautiful depiction of this remarkable member of Joann's family. It is the words spoken by the National Capital Area Boy Scouts President right before he presented Edward with the highest honor that can be awarded by the Boy Scouts:

“We are extremely proud of Mr. Zawislak,” said the National Capital Area Boy Scouts President Bob Wood. “Boy Scouts put a lot of emphasis on developing emergency preparedness, and while we pray none of our Scouts ever find themselves in situations where they need to use those skills, we hope they will do so with the same clarity, calmness, and confidence Chip displayed.”

“Captain Zawislak performed triage on the victim,” Col. Dave Thompson, an assistant Scout leader with Centreville’s Troop 30, told the crowd of about 100 people who gathered at a U.S. Park Police building in Southeast Washington.

Bennett watched as Thompson pinned the medal on Zawislak’s Scout uniform lapel. “On that day, Chip was as perfect as perfect can be. He demonstrated leadership qualities. He showed confidence. He had humor. He was in control on that roof,” said Bennett, who was stranded with Zawislak and two other co-workers, Michael Jackson and Makonnen Eyob. “He assured all of us we would get rescued. He sat there for an hour and 20 minutes and pressed my wounds. He showed no fear. He was in charge.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/captain-who-came-to-womans-aid-during-navy-yard-shooting-is-honored-by-the-boy-scouts/2014/06/12/0c482b18-f268-11e3-914c-1fbd0614e2d4_story.html

Joann has an amazing photograph displayed on her wall that captures the moment when Edward and Ms. Bennett were rescued from that horrific shooting. What a wonderful reminder for them as daily they glance upon that memory of a family member offering selfless service to another who was in dire need of assistance.

This is a powerful characteristic of this great family. I asked Joann what it was that motivated her to reach out and donate. She was so gracious and humble in her response. "That's just what we do". She went on to say "We did our part after 9/11, and every other tragedy that we could". They are strong members of the Catholic church and thank God for the blessings in their life. The military thread in their family adds to the connection felt with those who serve this country in one form or another. I was honored that she would feel a similarity between her family and ours.

Joann, Shiloh, Tate, Choice, Ryder, and Juliann

We didn't want to keep Joann too long as we knew she had family needs to tend to. She walked us down the block to where we parked the bus so she could snap a few photos of our rig. Charlie wished to see how it was we were traveling the country.

Tate, Shiloh, and Choice

Choice

Juliann, Joann, and Ryder

Juliann, Joann, Ryder, Choice, Shiloh, and Tate

Choice, Shiloh, and Tate

Juliann, Joann, Ryder, Shiloh, Choice, and Tate

Thank you Joann...for everything. We will keep your family in our prayers.

The kids loved the Maryland outdoors. We decided we aught to take them somewhere that they could really enjoy it.

Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder

Rusty

Tate, Rusty, Shiloh, and Ryder

I am referring to the one and only, Weber's Cider Mill Farm. This was FASCINATING!!

Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, and Tate

Upon simply entering the parking lot, the kids didn't really understand or fully appreciate the amazing time they were about to have.

Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, and Tate

However, that changed quickly as we passed through the gates and into this autumn paradise, home to endless festivities and family fun memories.

Shiloh, Ryder, and Tate

Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder

I was immediately put back into thoughts of my childhood as we had a blast participating in potato sack races...

Choice, Tate, Juliann, Shiloh, Jason, and Ryder

Tate, Choice, Juliann, Ryder, and Shiloh

Choice and Juliann

Tate, Choice, Ryder, Juliann, and Shiloh

Tate, Choice, Juliann, and Shiloh

Tate, Choice, Juliann, and Ryder

Tate, Choice, Juliann, Ryder, and Shiloh

Choice preferred to use his potato sack to work out his ghost costume for Halloween...

Choice and Juliann

From one fun activity to the next...we made our way to the giant slides. We used the same potato sacks to sit on and slide down these giant tracks.

Ryder, Choice, Tate, and Shiloh

Jason and Juliann

Shiloh

Shiloh and Tate

Tate

Ryder

Choice

Choice, Tate, and Ryder

Ryder and Tate

Shiloh

Ryder

Shiloh

Ryder

Tate

Ryder, Choice, Tate, and Shiloh

Choice

Next was the Boo Barn. This haunted house was the perfect activity for the upcoming holiday. The kids were reluctant, yet anxious, to see inside.

Shiloh, Choice, Tate, and Ryder

Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder

Shiloh, Ryder, and Tate

They quickly learned that it wasn't that scary. Instead, it was appropriate for children of all ages.

Tate, Ryder, Shiloh, and Tate

Jason did his best to make it a more terrifying experience for them however.

Jason

Ryder, Shiloh, Choice, and Tate

Ryder, Tate, and Shiloh

Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder

They survived the Boo Barn and wanted to see the more adorable faces found at the Farm. Those of course, were located at the petting zoo.

Choice and Ryder

Choice

Ryder, Tate, Choice, and Shiloh

Probably because they felt they were getting away with something, the kids snuck over to the small John Deere Tractor and climbed aboard.

Jason, Tate, and Ryder

Juliann, Choice, Ryder, Tate, and Shiloh

Shiloh

Ryder

Tate and Choice

The farm was set up perfectly to maximize your experience. Everywhere you turned there was something that added to your fun. Even these stacked tires were a blast to play on.

Tate, Choice, Shiloh, Ryder, and Jason

Choice, Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, and Jason

Tate, Ryder, Choice, Shiloh, and Juliann

And the hay maze...

Ryder

Choice and Jason

Tate

Jason and Shiloh

Shiloh

And of course, the hay ride...

Jason, Juliann, and Ryder

Shiloh and Ryder

Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice

Before we left, I had promised the kids that they could select a pumpkin to take with us on the bus. They have been begging to carve pumpkins this season.

Ryder, Tate, Choice, and Shiloh

Choice, Ryder, Tate, and Shiloh

Choice, Juliann, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder

Ryder, Choice, Juliann, Tate, and Shiloh

Shiloh and Tate

Choice, (photo bomber), Tate, Juliann, Jason, Ryder, and Shiloh

Contrary to what Choice and Tate thought, this pumpkin was a tad too large for the bus.

Choice

Tate

They eventually found ones that they thought were perfect! We purchased them, brought them back to the bus, and immediately took to carving individual jack-o-lantern faces into them.

Shiloh, Tate, Choice, and Ryder

Every year I enjoy watching the kids' unique personalities shine through on the face they choose to draw on their pumpkin. The kiddos would draw the face they wanted and then have us help them with the carving part of it. Naturally, this seemed like the safest option.

SHILOH...