Jeff Keeping It Real!

This was in one of the local papers recently. My cousin’s husband honored those who served before him. Good job Phillip thanks for fighting for our freedom come home safe.

Honored U.S. soldier hails vets

Proberta native previously served from 1986 to 1992

By Tim Hearden (Contact)
Sunday, February 24, 2008

Photo by Tim Hearden / Record Searchlight

LOCAL HERO: Tehama County Supervisor George Russell hands a proclamation to Army Spc. Phillip Heil during a recent meeting.

Army Spc. Phillip Heil became a little emotional recently when paying tribute to the veterans who served before him.

“If it weren’t for them serving, I wouldn’t be having the chance to serve,” said Heil, a Proberta native who’s been stationed in Iraq since August.

Heil honored his comrades during a visit home earlier this month as he was recognized by the Tehama County Board of Supervisors.

For Heil, the chance to serve his country overseas was actually the second chapter of his military career. The 42-year-old former truck driver first entered the Army in 1986 and left in 1992.

The former National Guardsman re-enlisted in the military full time in 2006 because he was attracted by the retirement benefits, he said. He had no qualms about ending up in Iraq, he said.

Heil is a vehicle mechanic stationed at LSA Anaconda at the Balad Air Base in northern Iraq. It’s been home to as many as 25,000 troops, and the base serves as a launching point for Air Force missions in support of combat operations into Baghdad, according to the Web site GlobalSecurity.org.

Heil works on his company’s equipment.

“Some days it’s busy, some days it’s slow,” he said.

Anaconda once had the nickname of “Mortaritaville” because of the frequent shelling of the area, but things are rather quiet lately, Heil said.

“It’s improving,” he said of the situation in Iraq. “It’s still going to take time to complete the job.”

Heil said he was flattered to be recognized by county leaders.

“I’m honored for getting the certificate,” he said. “I also look at the job I chose and I enjoy doing it.”

Reporter Tim Hearden can be reached at 529-5110 or at thearden@redding.com. Read his blog at MyRedBluff.com.

It’s time to say good bye to another Batista at Dutch Bros.  Andrew worked at the Four corners (Cypress/Hartnell) location.  Andrew was a kick in the pants to have make my Protein beverage in the mornings.  Here is Andrew on his last day holding some yummies Tammy made for him.

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I recall having to catch an early flight out for a business trip.  The day before I was telling Andrew I was bummed that I could not get a beverage before catching a flight.  He asked me what the latest I could be here and still make it out to the airport I told him it was 0445.  I guess he normally gets there about 0500 or or so.  He told me to be here at 0445 and he would be there to make me my Protein beverage for the trip.  As I was driving to the Four Corners Dutch Bros this black car pulled up next to me and honked at me.  I had to clear my eyes to realize it was Andrew arriving the same time I was.  He opened up and made my Protein beverage which made my morning.

Tammy has always been a Starbuck’s drinker.  Andrew made her a peppermint Mocha drink that tasted just like one that Starbuck’s made for her.  Needless to say we became Dutch Bros patrons.  They named us Protein Jeff and Peppermint Tammy.

Andrew is moving to Idaho to open is own Dutch Bros shop.  We wish Andrew and his wife all the best and want to say Thank you for all the great mornings.

Take care my friend.

JB (Protein Jeff) and TB (Peppermint Tammy)

Last week one of the local Barista at Dutch Bros (that is bros not brothers) on North Market Street in Redding,  left for England as part of a Missionary work program.  Whitney will be sorely missed she always gave us a smile in the morning as we started our day.  Here is Whitney on her last day.

Whitney was always smiling and singing as I drove up and she would great me with a big smile and saying good morning Jeff.  Whitney new that I was going to have my protein drink so she already had the drink started as I drove up I would just hand her my protein powder and Dutch Bros mug. 

Good luck Whitney.

JB

First off, I can just hear Dave saying to himself, ‘did not know I was lost’.  Today I have officially been in contact with a long lost friend from my Navy days.  After many years of searching I have found my good friend David Brown.  We served together at the Airbase in Misawa, Japan.  I have found all the people I was looking for that I served with in Japan.  I had better friends in the Navy then I did in High School or growing up. 

I have to give credit to the website http://navy.togetherweserved.com.  If you ever served in the Navy please take the time to visit this website and search for some of your long lost friends.

it is funny (not really) how at the end of my stay in the Navy my friends gave me a great send off party and we shared contact information and said we would stay in touch.  Well it’s amazing how life just goes passes you by and you never get in touch or don’t stay in touch. 

Then thankfully technology happens and it makes it easier for people to stay in touch no matter what part of the world your in.  If it were not for email I would not be in contact with half of the people I am.

Have a great day.
JB