Everyday Heroes

82 YEARS AGO THIS WEEKEND 🇺🇸 156,000 brave soldiers landed on the beaches of Normandy. My Great Uncle Teddy (Sgt. Liska) was one of them ❤️

I was really young the last time I saw him (before the 60th anniversary of D-Day), but I clearly remember how proud he was — one, that he still FIT in his uniform, and two, to tell me about his “Purple Heart,” which he EARNED while injured in combat against the enemy.

My Uncle Teddy stayed in France after the war, married a wonderful French lady (my Aunt Raymonde), and went on to serve as an interpreter for US officials who visited France — from Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower to Laura Bush to Colin Powell.

Selfless service members like my uncle remind us all that we’re only the “Home of the free BECAUSE OF the brave.” ❤️🤍💙

NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES 🦸 SOME RIDE MOWERS 🚜 Dennis, a farmer from Eau Claire, wanted to make sure the current president knows how Wisconsin farmers REALLY feel about him as he landed in the Chippewa Valley Friday 🔥

Mission accomplished ✅

EVERYDAY HERO ❤️ The UW Hospital ramp is the second-busiest parking structure in Wisconsin — only behind the Milwaukee airport.

And for the past 10+ years, inside, you’ll find Matt Finch — an attendant with the Division of Facilities Planning & Management and the last face that many hospital patients and visitors see during their visits.

While the lot has three exit lanes — one that’s fully automated and two that typically host booth attendants — most choose the “people lanes.”

“People tend to go to where the cashiers are,” Matt said in a conversation with OnWisconsin magazine last year. “I think dealing with a human being might feel easier, and I notice that a lot of people seem to be wary of machines.”

It’s also him. People feel comforted to talk to someone like Matt.

“Polite, prompt, professional” is his personal motto, but he’s also always up for a laugh!

His favorite customer interaction was with a regular who drove up to the booth every day prepared with a corny joke.

“They were not great jokes, but I remember her really well because I always felt a little bit happier after that,” he says. “The people who do take the time to interact with you or even try to get you to laugh or smile make it worth working here.”

Matt’s a great reminder that every job matters, no act of kindness is too small, and corny jokes are still jokes! 😉

OUR FUTURE’S IN GOOD HANDS 🥰 I spent Saturday at Steve Stricker’s annual AmFam Championship in Madison. It was INCREDIBLY hot and humid.

Somewhere along the back 9, I stumbled across a cold drink stand run by some of the sweetest kids.

“Genius!” I thought. “What a brilliant way to make a bunch of money to spend this summer!”

Then I read their sign.

ALL of the money they make was going to CAP — the Children’s Alopecia Project.

They gave up a glorious Saturday to stand outside in the heat to raise money for others.

❤️

Make it a great day!