In a previous life on some parallel universe, they rescued fair damsels in distress and slew smoke-spewing dragons or crossed the seas to fight the Crusades and grasp the Holy Grail. Lifetimes later in their present existence, they're helping others by valet parking the needy. Service Above Self--Parte Tres.

Conquering creatures somewhat smaller than dragons, Stephen Ray HOLT has made weekly crusades to the Smithsonian Museum of History since 1999 to identify, catalog, data base and label their collection of notgeld (German for "emergency money") currency used in 1914-23 Ger­many, Hard Times tokens, and U.S. script used during the Depression. (Steve's identified 5,000 different notes and has 20,000 more to go.) Steve's wife, Mary Ann, contributes her craftworks--she teaches tote paintings (lacquered enamel metal ware on trays, plaques, tables)--to the Caro­lina County Library in Bowling Green, VA, usually for fund-raising auc­tions, and is a member of Friends of the Library.

Let's Roll! Leanna and Kerry Douglas MILLER moved to their Hyndman, PA birthplace in 1993, where Doug was elected to the Bedford Area School Board in 1995. Thwarting evil-doers by stirring debate on patriotic themes--Step Forward For America (full text: leedougmill@hereintown.net)--, Doug was commencement speaker at his alma mater's graduations in 1995 and 2002, spoke to grade school assemblies in 1995 and 1998, and was the speaker at the 1996 and 2001 Memorial Day ceremonies. "Flooded out" of their PA home in 1996, they moved to West Virginia, where Doug joined Vietnam Veterans Association Chapter #172 (best VVA Chapter of the nation in 1999). In the spring of 1999, he spoke to the senior class and four history classes on the same day at Fort Hill HS. In November 1999 he was speaker for their Veteran's Day Service. Doug is still active in com­munity events in Hyndman, a VP in the Lions Club, and gave the Veteran's Appreciation Day address in November of 2000. Doug's been president of his high school class since 1997, is active on the Homecoming Committee, and president of the Hillcrest Homeowner's Association at his home in West Virginia.

Major Miller's Memorial Day 2001 address om Hyndman, PA

James Walter CLARK It's volunteer work in Ft. Worth revolves around the Ridglea Presbyterian Church and the Anion Carter Museum. Jim's air Elder in the church and chairman of the Building and Equipment Com­mittee, while he and wife, Jean, serve communion to elderly people who can't go to church. Jim's also a docent of the Anion Carter Museum (Ameri­can Art, Anion Carter's collection of Russell and Remington Art), and spends many hours every week giving tours to school children, various civic organizations and tourists.

"We attend Grace Episcopal Church, the old Gothic stone church a little north of downtown Colorado Springs," writes Mary Lou PORTER. "Fred Howard and I are both Chalice Bearers--Lay Eucharistic Ministers as­sisting the priests serving communion. We're also in the Acacia Meals Program (founded by BGen Fagan in 1976), serving meals to the elderly. Fred organized and ran the 2001 Episcopal Men's Conference for the Dio­cese of Colorado, and I am in my fifth year on the Committee for Cystic Fibrosis Rubber Ducky Race arid Sponsor Party."

Fred and Mary Lou Porter with BGen Fagan and Acacia Meeals staff

George Emerson ELSEA belongs to the Kiwanis Club in Plano, TX. But that's not his most exciting volunteer activity. "I use my tireless "tiger Moth (R: that's George's 1941 DeHavilland DH-82A) to give motivational rides to young people as a volunteer in the Young Eagles Program (developed by the FAA Aviation Foundation, Chuck Yeager, Chairman). I've flown dozens of boys and girls from scout troops, friends, and neighborhoods. 'Those flights have gone very well, except for one young lad who I suspect was there under the influence of peer pressure. He seemed a little ner­vous. I later learned that he had eaten an entire box of Oreo cookies be­fore the flight, which he distributed all over the side before landing."

Charles Franklin LIGGETT's on the board of directors serving as secre­tary for the non-profit (501 C-3) Cupertino (CA) Library Foundation, rais­ing money for a new $22M library; and, a member of Friends of the Cupertino Library helping with three book sales a year that provide $30K annually for library materials and programs; Charlie is also president of the Cupertino Historical Society, where he and wife, Kathy, prepare a fund­raising gourmet BBQ each year for 90-120 people. Also, Kathy is on the board for "San Jose Christmas in the Park," San Jose Kiwanis--helping with the food booth and Christmas tree sales fund-raising, and is on the Charity Committee of the Silicon Valley Capital Club, where she plans their annual fund-raisers (trauma kits for the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department, and a local mental health organization in 2001).

After having three sons, William Harold and Ellen LENINGER adopted two girls in Colorado Springs years ago, and then helped both locate their birth mothers. Bill and Ellen now operate a website no fees, no dona­tions accepted devoted to helping adoptees make contact with their biological parents (www.rema2@nmia.com). She maintains a Mutual Con­sent Registry for those who were born and/or adopted in Colorado (also for the parents who gave birth or relinquished), and has over 4,100 regis­tered, with an average of two matches per month. In addition to knowing their biological parents, one major benefit is discovering the medical his­tory of their fathers/mothers, such as one who learned of diabetes in the family, and another with a predisposition towards alcoholism.

"My last pastorate was in Miami, where I helped my wife, Mary, care for my mother in a care facility four years. I then became acutely aware of the loneliness of the elderly. After retiring from the ministry, I decided to spend some time encouraging those in nursing homes," writes Walter Campbell SWEENEY. "In 1998 I bought a keyboard and became a one-man band. I play a lot of 'oldies,' plus religious songs, and spend a couple of days each week playing at several facilities. Some patients have Alzheimer's, others are paraplegics, most elderly and infirm, and all are extremely responsive. I also teach classes in a church-related ministry, often developing my own lessons--the latest compared Islam and Christianity; and I still preach occasionally and do hospital and nursing home visitations. With 20 years ministry experience, I also mentor younger pastors. Mary holds two weekly Bible Studies teaching biblical principles to 20 ladies at work and at church. In the September 11th aftermath, she led a well-attended prayer meeting in her company; recently, I ended up visiting and praying with her company's CFO who had quadruple bypass surgery. Mary also has a jail ministry, and I help her. I volunteer over 100 hours a month."

Walt ticklin' the ivories so fast it's a wonder his fingers don't fly off!

Like some patriotic pinata scattering good around the Colonies, this elite cadre represents the Gold Standard of volunteerism--writing an Owner's Manual on service. With moral clarity and uncommon zeal. And consider that no one on their deathbed ever said: "I wish I hadn't volun­teered so much time helping others!"

Sad Note: George Hamilton HINES died of cancer on 23 June 2002 in Auckland, New Zealand. 1199