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Buchanan's America Legion Post color guard at Relay for Life.

Hey it's Terrific Tuesday again! How's everything in your neck of the woods?

On Saturday I met with P-38 Lightning fighter pilot and WWII veteran Allan Owen  of Eagle Rock and a two plus hour interview transpired. We have heroes amongst us here in Botetourt County. I hope that I have done his story justice. Be sure to read it. All vets are heroes in my opinion!

There are heroes every where who fight different battles. On a daily basis the teachers of Botetourt County fight ignorance by imparting knowledge.  Susan Woody just received an award for her skill in doing just that and she teaches the 3rd grade the first SOL year.

I watched the cancer survivors walk in Relay for Life and listened to Carolyn Hoyt talk about Cecil-- he lost the battle but won the war. His spirit lives on in those who loved him.

I have watched young athletes compete all year and some battled to state finals and semi finals. They have  scored picture time as much as possible on the Botetourt View.

I have watched Debbie Daniels work with her daughter Erin Monsell who was tragically hurt in a car accident  three years ago. They are a couple of folks who have been in a battle to bring Erin back. I saw Erin last week and she didn't want to go into Lord Botetourt and shook her head furiously "No" when I said it wouldn't be so bad. The first time I saw Erin after the accident she was non responsive. I have seen the mother/daughter combo walk down the steps of Brugh's Mill Exxon last fall.

How about all of our fire and rescue volunteers who give their time and best efforts, the sheriff's department,

Some of you think Buddy, my five mile walking cat, is a hero for being so dedicated to getting home.

our neighbor who performs CPR on a victim at church. Don't forget the volunteers who climbed the roof of the Fincastle Town Hall and replaced it last Saturday or the school children who raise pennies and dollars for the heart association jumping rope.

We have hero pets that alert us to danger or simply love us like Buddy my cat. He is fine incidently. He yowled for his breakfast and got a nice round of dry kitty crunchies and some chicken canned cat food this morning. He likes to sleep in the chair by my front door all day.

Botetourt County is a terrific place to live. We have many heroes here.

I am off to Bristol to cheer on our four county teams! See ya next week.