When I was in the Air Force, one of my favorite shows was MASH. Radar played an important role in the show and it was well known that the Army clerk yearned to return to Ottumwa. I'll never forget that one episode that Radar had been dressed up to resemble his true mother. Though the Ottumwa I traveled into wasn't exactly a thriving, prosperous city.

I was asked to speak at Glen James Elementary at Family Fun Night. It's easy to get lost in Ottumwa. There are bridges everywhere, roundabouts, and many one-way roads. I quickly became lost and stopped at Wilson Elementary to ask for directions. A teacher attempted to give me directions and after five minutes of telling me to turn right at the BP, don't turn left at the bridge or you're sure to get lost, etc. he realized I still had no idea where to head. Then he asked me to follow him through the heart of the city. Ottumwa is a city in disrepair with many storefronts boarded up and governmental aid programs advertised on huge billboards to assist families in need. At just about every stop sign was a big pothole in the crumbling roads.

It took us about ten minutes to get through the city - not because of traffic but because it was a confusing obstacle course of twists and turns and sharp rights.

When I saw McPherson Street I then knew we were heading the right way. Glen James sits on top of a hill overlooking the river. The landscape was nice including blooming purple flowering trees. I thanked the teacher for his assistance and waited around a few minutes because I didn't see the need to rush into the school because there were only a few cars in the parking lot. I honestly felt the speaking event was a bust because it was warm outside and I wasn't so sure parents would want to hear my speech indoors on such a beautiful spring evening.

I finally gained the courage to enter the school and was met warmly by Sheila Guiter who'd arranged the evening speaking engagement. Sheila was plenty excited. Movie theatre popcorn was popping and twenty bags had already been filled in anticipation of a huge crowd. Sheila showed me where I was to speak and the first thing that jumped out of me was the crafted baseball billboard the school had created with local baseball teams' memorabilia like the Burlington Bees, Iowa and Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and the Riverbats.

And yet, I couldn't shake the empty row upon row of metal folding chairs. It isn't that I am embarrassed for myself; rather I feel for the organizers who spend months and many hours planning these events and when no one shows it is awkward for all. To ease what I sensed was a bust, I began pushing chairs back away from the stage to perform my shadow baseball skit. I figured I could knock down at least twenty to thirty empty chairs to lessen the painful impact.

But then Sheila assured me that she was pretty sure the large room would fill with excited fans. She then introduced me to Mr. Green, the school principal. It wasn't long before the great arena did indeed fill with parents and students as Sheila had predicted. A great time was had by all including parents who truly enjoyed the story about Creeper and fishing at Creeper's Pond. Not to be outdone, Ottumwa continued to surprise me when a line quickly filled around the autographed table. Just about every parent and student who'd attended the evening speech wanted to take a picture with me and the compliments regarding my storytelling skills left me feeling humble.

What the citizens of Ottumwa, Iowa taught me is that you can't read the tenacity and friendliness of a community by the city's outward appearance. Radar O'Reily's gentle mannerisms but determined resolve in many ways best symbolized this humble yet proud city. And as for me, I shall never judge a book by its book cover again.

Thank you Sheila, Mr. Green, and many, many parents and students for making me feel special - for wanting a picture of me and a signed book as a keepsake. Ottumwa is a special place because of its friendly people who want the best for their kids. Ottumwa has renewed my faith in the resolve of people.