JACKSONVILLEThere was a lot of hootin’ and hollern’ Sunday night in Jacksonville.
Mostly from that wild bunch of carpenters and carpenter-wannabes in town, but also a good bit from the local merchants who were feeding and supplying them.
Throw in a good, old-fashioned gospel singing, a former president and a football stadium, and the makings were all there for what we around here would call a big shindig.
Welcome, Habitat for Humanity.
Welcome to the volunteers from Canada.
Welcome to my friend Mambo Mkhize, who made the trip here from South Africa.
Welcome to the folks I passed in the Jeep Cherokee with an Alaska tag on it.
Welcome, Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat and one of the men in this world I admire most.
Welcome, President Carter, and your lovely wife Rosalynn, and, welcome to your army of Secret Service agents who we hope are also good carpenters.
Especially, welcome to the exciting breath of air all of you bring, collectively with our own volunteers, to make Anniston, Jacksonville, and all of this area a very special place to the entire world for this exciting week in history.
