Page 8 - October 2020 WCA Ketch Pen

Headquarters
From Your EVP
8
An outpouring of support...
In addition to the ranching gene, I inherited the bibliophile gene from my dad and grandad. I love to read, and unlike many of my fellow millennials, I still prefer to turn paper pages as opposed to a artificially lit tablet. Required reading for anyone in my family is The Time It Never Rained¬ by Elmer Kelton-- I even made
my husband read it before he joined the family. The principle character, rancher Charlie Flagg, struggles to maintain his independence during one of the worst droughts in Texas history (early 1950s). Internally, he wrestles with his long-held values and principles as he fights to hold onto the family ranch in the face of much adversity. Sound familiar?
There’s a point in the novel when Charlie reckons, “A man does what he feels is right, no matter what it
costs him.” As I drove back from Lincoln County after an emergency meeting one night not long ago, my understanding of that sentiment deepened. As I’ve traveled across our great state the past few weeks, that outpouring of support in response to fire relief no matter the personal cost has been profoundly moving. Neighbors helping neighbors, volunteers on the ground, corporations stepping up to the plate to help financially, it is overwhelming. I know folks have lost sleep, suffered incomprehensible physical exhaustion, and sacrificed tremendously in the name of helping neighbors and our ranching community because they feel it’s the right thing to do. Thank you, WCA members and friends, thank you for doing the right thing, no matter the cost.
At WCA, we’re committed to helping you. Our time, energy, creativity, and dedication to a continuity of effort doesn’t terminate. Please keep calling my cell and the office. Keep emailing, keep texting. We’re fortunate to have a great group of leaders and volunteers assisting us and acting as conduits to the aid, supplemental feed, vaccines, fencing supplies, and other resources you may need to draw upon. Don’t hesitate to reach out and sometimes more importantly, don’t hesitate to reach out on your neighbor’s behalf.
Thank you to all of you who have answered the call to help us with our relief efforts and shown empathy to those in our industry—it is truly humbling to have observed your generosity. We will stay the course.
Faithfully yours,
Ketch Pen www.washingtoncattlemen.org
September 2020