4 SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 Throw like a girl

By JEFF JOBE [email protected] Publisher

As I climbed into the dunking tank for what is quiet possible the last time; I im- mediately had three young boys lining up to take their turn at drowning me. The boys were probably between the ages of nine and eleven and I have known them from the restaurant and brewery I own and spend weekends. They are a handful and as a father of three children it is impossible for me not to speak with children. I honestly find myself chatting with kids more than the parents and I’m told many of them like coming because I do. I try to be a friend of the family, direct the boys into well behavior and actually believe the attention of adults in positive ways is good for children. They react well and in turn it helps fill a void for this empty nester dad. These three reminded me of my son. They are the epitome of the phrase “hard headed boy”. I say this with love in my Views expressed on this page are those of the author alone and heart and it means nothing but being not necessarily endorsed by this tough, determined and aggressive, but a newspaper. I want the America of loving boy like my own son Wyatt. JEFF JOBE, GROUP PUBLISHER [email protected] Wyatt has made it his life’s purpose to 270-590-6625 cell train, be strong and strive to save lives. Staff Directory: Sept. 12, 2001 back The military training, paramedic train- Barren ing and long hours of focus for physical Jeff Jobe, Publisher came to life from every radio station. [email protected] fitness has him positioned to someday le- 270-659-2146 office By MARY BETH SALLEE We had support for our President, love galize his dreams of saving lives in some [email protected] Allyson Dix, News for our armed forces, and an undeniable of the most horrific circumstances. [email protected] Jobe Publishing Reporter determination to fight back against the James Moore, Sales hatred in this world. For the first time in As these three boys threw several balls, [email protected] a long time, we were no longer a nation probably $5 worth they were getting 270-590-6628 divided, but rather a humanity united. frustrated and I could pick up on it. They Thomas Wampler, Sports It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly were about to give up and I know they [email protected] Now, nearly two decades later, that 18 years since the terror attack that oc- wanted to dunk me so badly. With each Butler sense of honor and patriotism is gone, curred against our great nation on Sep- throw they were getting closer. I knew Carol Hatcher, Office Mgr. and I plea: where are the Americans of [email protected] tember 11. with a few more throws they would hone 270-526-4151 office September 12, 2001 who joined togeth- in on the target. Seeing their parents and Lynzie Embry, Reporter I was only 14-years-old at the time, in er with the force of every great patriotic knowing another $5 wouldn’t hurt them [email protected] my eighth grade year at Hart Co. High virtue this nation of ours was founded I began to taunt the boys. I almost said, 270-792-4384 cell School. I can recall sitting in English upon? and it may have begin to roll off my lips, Edmonson class as I learned the news. My desk was Meredith Warthan, Office Mgr. I would never, and I repeat NEVER want “you fellas are throwing like little girls.” in the second row from the back wall. [email protected] to see another 9/11 happen to our na- 270-597-3115 office We had a substitute that day. But as the words began to form or re- Valerie Hunter tion, nor to my fellow Americans. But I lease, I immediately pictured my own lit- [email protected] Later that night, I had a basketball game. do wish I could still see patriotism flood tle girls and I knew if I said these words, 270-597-3115 office A moment of silence was held after the our homes, our lives and our hearts once even in jest, I knew in my heart I would Hart Star Spangled Banner was played. My again. I yearn to see red, white and blue be wrong. Jerry Matera, Editor Emeritus family was in attendance and motioned [email protected] everywhere in solidarity with hope for I have declared for years the strength of 270-786-2676 office for me to step to the bleachers in that the country that we call home. small gym. I remember my sister whis- women. My knowledge is from person- Mary Beth Sallee, Reporter pering to me that my Aunt Peggy was I don’t know what the solution is to see al experiences. A strong grandmother, a [email protected] single mom who raised three children on 270-786-2676 office okay. She worked at the Pentagon, but this loyalty once again. What I do know her own, a wife for 18-years who clear- James Moore, Sales thankfully was in another building that is that there is a cloud of division shad- [email protected] day. owing our country, causing us to often ly was more intelligent than me in so 270-786-2676 office forget the core root of it all: united we many aspects of life and now having two I can vividly call to mind the car ride Metcalfe stand or divided we fall. strong, independent daughters. Jennifer Moonsong, General Mgr. home after the game. Vehicles were I feel for me to make that statement [email protected] crowding the gas pumps at each station As the anniversary of September 11 soon 270-670-9233 cell would have went against what I have we passed. It was a scary site – people approaches, I hope you find in your heart PJ Martin, Office/News spent my life, as a father trying to in- rushing to do the only thing they knew to [email protected] that some sense of pride still remains for still and witness. All children are equal 270-432-3291 office do in the hours after the attack. our nation. And if not for our nation, and they can do whatever they want in Monroe then at least for the memory of those we Jennifer Moonsong, General Mgr. As much as I recall the tragedy of that life if they set their minds to it. It was [email protected] day, and as much as I remember exact- lost in that horrific attack, for the heroes a cold and solemn moment for me, as I 270-670-9233 cell ly where I was when I heard the news, that gave all, for your local community, sat there on display waiting to be dunked Laura Sexton, Sales Rep./Reporter [email protected] what I remember just as much is the pa- and for your fellow American. into some of the dirtiest water one could 270-487-8666 office triotism that rushed through our great imagine. 270-670-2359 cell Mary Beth Sallee resides in Hart Coun- nation on September 12 and the days How could I get so caught up in a mo- Russell after. ty with her husband and son. She works Stephanie Smith, General Mgr. as a reporter for the Hart County ment that I would for just a single min- [email protected] Flags were everywhere. Patriotic songs News-Herald. ute forget my daughters and their ac- Kayla Hale, Office Mgr. complishments. I have two of them, the 270-866-3191 office oldest Reagan is at this moment study- 270-866-3198 fax ing abroad in Vienna, Austria. She is [email protected] 20-years old and in her junior year at Nancy Sallee [email protected] Transylvania University. She is well on Graphic Design, Sales & News her way to have an education from a very accredited school, world experiences and CORPORATE CONTACTS: JOBE PUBLISHING, INC. confidence sure to be the foundation for Advertising a strong future. 270-786-2676 Office Fall Home & [email protected] While McKenna is a Brown Fellow at the Lesia Logsdon, Circulation University of Louisville. She too spent 270-786-2676 Office the summer abroad with study; she trav- [email protected] Garden Tabloid eled Europe on her own as well. McK- Michelle Rowe, Internet/Web enna since she was old enough to talk, 270-786-2676 Office [email protected] spoke to me as an adult and I’m excited Anissa Meredith, Printing Coming Soon about the contributions she will bring 270-786-2676 Office our world. [email protected] I am nothing more than a mere man and COVERAGE IN COUNTIES: sometimes the words that roll off my • Butler County Banner tongue are long gone before I realize my Hart County News-Herald • Edmonton Herald-News mistakes but on this day I am pleased I Published each Wednesday. • Monroe County Citizen had time to catch them. Advertising package includes total market penetration. I believe it is important for adults to take USPS 236-180 FOR ONE LOW PRICE! caution what they share with children Periodicals even in jest and as for me, I’ll pay very Postage Paid At Tompkinsville, close attention from now on. KY 42167 SPACE AVAILABLE 201 North Main Street, Suite A Now don’t get me wrong, I still wanted to Tompkinsville, KY 42167 FOR AS LOW AS $85.00 challenge these little stinkers and I did. I SUBSCRIPTION RATES: said to them, “go get your sisters and let In Monroe and adjoining TO ADVERTISE IN SIX them show you how to throw.” Their par- counties $26.95 ents smiled, their sisters smiled and soon Both print and online COUNTIES they came back with more money and I think you know the rest of the story. WEDNESDAY PAID Elsewhere in $40.95 CALL LAURA TODAY at Jeff Jobe is founder and CEO of Jobe Outside Kentucky $55.95 Advertising package delivered to 270.670.2359 or email Publishing, Inc. His commentary re- all homes offering our company a flects his personal views and does not total market penetration. [email protected] reflect the views of personal or pro- CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR NEW fessional associations and affiliations. PAYMENT TO: JOBE PUBLISHING HAS MORE READERS Reach him at [email protected]. Read The Monroe County Citizen his previously published commentary at 201 N. Main Street, Suite A Tompkinsville, KY 42167 THAN ALL OTHERS COMBINED. sckentucky.com