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September 11, 2012 Posted by muffinfrog in Co-Founders

Never Forget- 11th Anniversary

Never Forget…. I think that all of you know that I’m a very fun and not a very serious guy…yes, I do write a lot (most) of the copy on the website, catalogs etc. Kristin H does too, but we write it the same. In fact we never remember who wrote what. It’s fun… and I love it. Everything about Ju-Ju-Be is generally lighthearted and it’s supposed to be that way. But if you spend some time in the Pink Room, you’ll know that I’ve got a serious side too. The things I love, I love dearly. My family, my country, my freedom, my religion, the earth we walk on and often take for granted. My ability to work and create, and put talents to use to make a mark on this world no matter how big or small. Those are serious things. Today is a serious day for me as well. I love this country dearly and I’m intensely patriotic. Maybe growing up in Washington DC and being exposed to workings of our government did it. Knowing that there is real work that goes into making this country run. Maybe seeing the endless march of regimented steps taken in front of a tomb where the remains of a nameless soldier who gave his life for my freedom lies. Maybe memories of my Boy Scout camp out spent sleeping on top of one of the World Trade Towers. Possibly the stories of the fearless and optimistic souls who came here and formed the backbone of our country. It was the dreamers, the workers, the fearless, the get-things-done people from all over the world that came here to make a better life because they believed. Believed in themselves. Believed in the stories they heard in remote places of the world. Believed that they could, with their own hands, craft something that would work for them, would work for their neighbors, for their friends, and family. They left all they had and came here for something better. The fearful, the stodgy, those set in their ways and unwilling to change, the ones too attached to the status quo in their home countries….those people just stayed put. What does that say of our gene pool? We are the country that can get it done… no matter the task, no matter the opposition. We will prevail. I make no apologies for using this fun forum to get on my soap box for a few minutes.. I do think it’s healthy for all of us to take few minutes this day and reflect. Please spend that time with your friends and your family. Please, please, please….I plead with you…NEVER FORGET.

FYI…at JJB I think you guys know that I sew bags. Our garage has a bunch of huge industrial sewing machines that Rachelle doesn’t touch. They’re mine. I’ve always like sewing and when I worked at Oakley, I ran the sample room and soft goods division. I was working there on 9-11 when the disaster struck. The feeling of helplessness was strong and everyone around me was in the same situation. We all came from that same gene pool mentioned above and all wanted to do something….anything. At Oakley we banded together with purpose over the course of a day and a half. I had some of my fabric suppliers donate the fabric, and then coordinated the making of a massive American flag. 110ft x 75ft. We had over 300 volunteers work on it. The stars are 4ft high a piece. They were hand sewn on…Betsy Ross style. The picture below is the flag flying in San Francisco Civic Center Square from City Hall. We weren’t the only ones to make flags. If you recall, they proliferated over all the country. Flown with pride. Flown in defiance of anyone who thought to propagate terror upon this country. God Bless America and God Bless our World!

Joe

NEVER FORGET

NEVER FORGET

Happy 7th Birthday Ju-Ju-Be!!!Trunk Show in Utah!
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