THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE…AND SO MUCH MORE

Dottie with grandfather, “Pa", Thurlow Woodcock at the 1985 NCAA Championship

I consider myself extraordinarily blessed to have been born when I was, 1965. That gave me the gift of personal connection to very important people in our nation’s past, specifically World War I and World War II veterans.

My beloved mentor, George Pulver, was a World War I veteran, serving alongside the British Army in Northern France and Belgium. He returned injured, but very much alive, living an extraordinary life of 87 years as a golf professional—club maker, teacher, competitor, agronomist, architect—literally did it all.

My maternal grandfather, Thurlow Woodcock, was my first hero. He graduated from the same high school as Mr. Pulver, Saratoga Springs (N.Y.) High School, and served his time in the Pacific theatre as a draftsman, tasked with rebuilding critical air bases that had been destroyed. He returned injured as well, but went on to be the owner of 2 successful businesses—both of which are still thriving today.

What I learned from both of them is the pride of being an American, the responsibility we all have to be involved in our local communities, to vote when elections are held, to be able to defend our personal beliefs and to be prepared for whatever we may face each day… and to pass on that experience to the next generation.

“Pa,” as Thurlow was known to his grandchildren, used to say, “do it right or don’t bother to do it at all.” Pa passed much too early—at age 64 in 1988—and I can still hear him say that whenever I try to shortcut anything, whether it is in the garden, making a bed, cleaning a floor or prepping for a broadcast.

George Pulver prepares to leave for World War I

Mr. Pulver used to ask me if I had anticipated everything I was to face when leaving for a tournament, including the weather and having “extra gloves and a good umbrella.” It was almost as if he was checking though his own gear when leaving Saratoga for war. But perhaps his most valuable advice was to always “hang in there,” giving your all despite many obstacles.

I cannot begin to imagine the obstacles both of them saw during their service to our country. They made certain their struggles and sacrifices assured our freedoms of today!

We live in time where we seemingly are a country of red or blue; on one side of the aisle or another without much discourse or willingness to find common ground.

On this Veterans Day my hope is that we can somehow find a way to become red, white and blue again, especially in thanking those who above all, served our country.

We are the greatest nation on earth and that’s because of people like Pa and Mr. Pulver protecting our freedoms.

Thank you for your service.