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I wish to share with you the respect and admiration
I have for this fellow who runs around in spandex, a mask
and a cape. Our very own Captain Jackson.
This is a man who has a
sincere enthusiasm for living life to its fullest, and has honed
the skill of changing people's attitudes without giving
offense or arousing resentment. Merely curiosity and positivism,
a brilliant good deed doer and promoter of all good
things.
When I first read about him in the Jackson Citizen Patriot
I personally thought this is so unique. A man with the courage
to "Dare to be Great" (a reference from Dale
Carnegie). "Having courage does not depend on what is happening
outside you. It depends on what is happening inside of you.
So start right now thinking thoughts of courage." I have
been in awe at the potential of what having a real live
super-hero could do for the tourism of this city.
As time passed and more articles were published, I then found
out about his web site. Wow this man is really sincere, I thought.
At this point I realized he alone opened up the minds of this
community that working with the City, the Police and Sheriff's
Department is exactly what was missing to clean our streets
of undesirable drug dealers and crime.
Then there was the RESPECT issue. As a child I remembered
saluting officers out of respect. After all, you get what
you give and the officers are truly here for us, the citizens.
There respective departments were created out of a need to protect
and serve us, the citizens.
I would like to share with you the fact that I left Jackson
at 18 and never wanted to live here again because of the
prison and all the criminal activity which seemed depressing
to say the least. After traveling the entire United States
and living in so many large and small cities I've seen almost
everything, which made it easy for me to see what this
caped good deed doer has done for Jackson. Unity among the
good and having a good time as well, with that shining positive
attitude spreading like a disease out of control.
Our children will learn from the example that he is setting
for them and even if Captain Jackson comes across as an off
the wall person, by now the majority of Jackson residents
realize the fact that this wonderful man did not like his
world and all by himself, not to mention at great risk and
expense, set out to "change his world" not only
for himself but for all of Jackson. This is now a friendlier
place and a safer place to live with so much more to be remembered
for than just being a prison town. In my travels this
is how everyone I encountered identified Jackson, Michigan, and
even then I found this upsetting.
After listening to Captain Jackson on the Bart Hawley radio show,
I realized his humor was projected in such a manner as to show
the public that even handicapped people, mental or physical,
also had a great deal to offer and deserved to be treated
with respect.
At this point I decided I would put on a uniform similar
to his to get his attention, but not offend him. I also had a
mission (Domestic Violence) because of my own personal
grief and real life exposure. I felt I had a lot to offer
in the realm of awareness and hoped he would be open to the idea
of a woman joining up with him to make a positive difference
for the victims (past, present and future). Knowledge is the
key to awareness and education for the prevention of Domestic
Violence.
I put on the uniform and went out looking for Captain Jackson.
When I finally encountered him I challenged him to address this
issue with me. He was not sure how to take me at first but
after several conversations he realized I was sincere and asked
me to join The CRIMEFIGHTER CORPS. I was honored to say the
least.
After months of volunteer work and getting to know both Captain
Jackson and Crimefighter Girl, I truly realized that what goes
into all of this is a great deal of hard work and personal
sacrifice. Facing diversity, criticism and lack of understanding
by the population yet still forging forward as his mission for
the masses is extremely worthwhile.
Processing the full range of emotions and holding on to the
positive is where the true reward lies. Knowing you
made someone smile and lifted their day or helped a
lost child to find their parents or assisting an elderly
person by the opening of a heavy door or any number of other
common courtesies, all the while keeping a sharp eye
out for crime, or an accident, or a potential danger for
the citizens is what makes the difference. It has taken months
for the Captain to train me in all of the duties of a Crime Fighter
on Patrol.
Then there is Crimefighter Girl. What a jewel she is!
Responsible, respectful, charming, intelligent and talented.
This child has been given the gift of being able to set
an example for all of Jackson's youth and does a superior job,
with sincere love and original concern for all. Her volunteer
work at the Crouch Senior Center alone should be highly commended.
When I watch her work hand and hand with the D.D.A., the City
Police, many City Officials, the Michigan Theater and the people
of Jackson she herself is a professional, and at great sacrifice,
gives freely of her time and love to all of Jackson. I truly
admire the maturity of "Jackson's Little Sweetheart".
This child is one shining example of what our youth can do for
the future of humanity---a child any parent would very proud
of.
She, too, adds to the list of achievements, motivational abilities,
leadership skills, promoter of goodness, and positive attitude
of none other than my hero and yours, our very own Captain
Jackson!
Have a Fabulous Day!
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