Hello,

I saw Captain Plumb speak last night during the Boy Scout Camporee at Rancho Alegre outside of Santa Barbara.

Please let him know how much me and my husband appreciated what he had to say. Also, my son 14-year old son, Ernie Ray, Troop 26, was in the front row on the edge of his seat listening to every single word with great anticipation. I think Captain Plumb revived a lost spark in Ernie. For that, I'm very thankful.

My father-in-law, Billy Ray, was a WWII Bombardier. He was a flew 69 missions over Germany curled up in the nose of an airplane. Before I met him, I was absolutely clueless of sacrifices that were made so I could have my freedom. Now, I have nothing but the most respect for our service men and women.

Thank you and God Bless you, Captain Plumb. You're a great American and inspiration to everyone who has a opportunity to hear your story.

Sincerely,
- Maureen Ray
Santa Barbara

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I saw Capt. Plumb years ago, about twenty -five, and he has given me a way of life, that continues today. His life story, ever "True American" should talk a page or two out of it. I was station in the Air Force at DaNang,1968 till 1969.Please tell "The Capt." Thanks again for his words.


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I am glad to have heard Mr. Plumb's presentation at The National Restaurant Association annual meeting in Chicago many years ago. I never forgot Mr. Plumb's name or his remarkable story. I still recall how Mr. Plumb likened his life's experiences to have been the "packing of his parachute," preparing him for what would happen in the future as a POW. I've mentioned the illustration to others many times. While I don't recall that Mr. Plumb mentioned Jesus Christ in that setting, I always felt He was the source of Mr. Plumb's unwavering faith. All these years later, I am grateful for having been present to hear Mr. Plumb speak. The church for whom I work has a young member (not a pilot) who is serving on the USS Kitty Hawk. I'm going to tell him about Mr. Plumb.

    - Becky Wood

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Hello,

 

I haven't had the pleasure of hearing Captain Plumb speak, though I hope to be able to someday.

I really wanted to write to let you know my connection to him.

 

When I was in middle school (or Junior High) I was one of the many, many people to purchased POW bracelets. Guess who's mine was? That's right, Charles James Plumb. I wore it constantly and prayed for him daily.  When he was released, I wrote to him and he sent me a picture of himself (I think it is picture 10 on the website) and wrote me asking for the bracelet, for he was making something ( I can't remember exactly what he said since it has been so long ago) out of all the bracelets with his name on them. I sent it to him.  Now years (and years) later-

 

I received an email about a Captain Charles Plumb who spoke about "who packs your parachute." As I read the email, something kept telling me to re read it over and over. Finally I realized who I was reading about and I was amazed. I found the website and I am totally inspired by what I see and have read.

 

I would love you to pass this on to him. One of the young girls who wore his POW bracelet is so in awe of his life and it may seem silly, but I am proud to have some connection with him. Even though it is a tiny connection.

Thank you & God bless

- Sherry

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Capt. Plumb!

 

So great to hear from you sir!  I trust that your trip to China went well.  You also have made my day!

 

I preached the lesson "Living in Prison" at my home congregation the next Sunday after I had written to you and to Susan.  The following weekend I was at a different congregation in Virginia doing some mission work, and I preached that lesson again.  I used your story both times to introduce and illustrate my lesson.  Thank you for the experiences that you shared with us that I can still use today to illustrate concepts from God's word.

 

Twenty years ago, when you spoke to us, I had no real concept of what a "motivational speaker" was--all the motivational speakers I knew were either teachers or preachers--but now I understand that in a lot of ways you are a little of both of those, and now that I have been preaching a few years, I understand just how much of myself and my own experiences I have to put into it to be "real" and to make it personal for my audience.   I think that is why you really grabbed our attention those years ago and why I am sure you continue to do that with every audience today--you were (and are) real, and you have some very compelling experiences upon which to draw. 

 

Thank you for taking the time to drop me a line, and for your presentation twenty years ago (hard to believe, ain't it?).  I spoke with my buddy from college to whom I alluded in my first email to you and told him I had found your site and had written to you, and I can't wait to give him a call to tell him you have written back to me!

 

Best wishes to your son in his college endeavors at Pepperdine.  Keep making it real! 

Sincerely,

- John

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Mr. Plumb,

 

My name is Kyle Strunk and I am a future Cincinnati, Ohio Police Officer. I graduate from the academy in 4 weeks. Looking forward to it, its been my dream ever since i was a little boy and now I am so close to achieving my goal. The reason i am writing this, is because they showed a video of one of your speeches to our class one afternoon. And it was very touching. I thank you. Your words are very encouraging and uplifting. I know you don't know me, or probably will we ever meet, but you have spoken to many more people than you know. I just wanted to say thanks for sharing your powerful testimony. Gods hand was on you and it still is. Thanks for serving our country. People like you are vey special...I hope you continue to be blessed because you have blessed many others with your words. Thanks again.

 

- Sincerely,

Kyle Strunk

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THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

 

I can not even begin to tell you what a gift! what an opportunity! what an inspiration! it was for me and for our team to hear the Captain's message!  

 

His message was perfect for our team and Liz and I received many, many messages from our managers ~ managers that were touched by his incredible story, his spirit, his courage, his humor and of course his message.

 

        - Betty Araya

          Wells Fargo

 

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Dear Captain Plumb,

 

Thank you so very much for joining us at the ADM Convention.  I was inspired by what you had to say.  Your comments and adroit use of stage techniques were illustrative of how you have taken the most harrowing life experience and used it as a metaphor. 

 

You made me be proud to be an American.  I wish we had more Charlie Plumbs in my generation.  I was just talking to someone the other day about how we need heroes today – and there you were on the stage.

 

Warm regards,

 

- Ann Cardarelli

Cincinnati Bell Yellow Pages

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I really wanted Captain Plumb to know that he's had a huge impact on my life and outlook on adversity. Up until Captain Plumb spoke for us (Centex Homes) in Tulare, California, I've lived my entire life without letting negativity be my drive. "Adversity's a terrible thing to waste" and I will think of this and Captain Plumb's message every time adversity arises, (which is many times daily). Thank you Captain Plumb and you will be in heart, thoughts, & prayers for the rest of my life. God Bless.

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Dear Charlie,

You were terrific!  You received the highest possible score on the speaker evaluation forms.  Your perspective on adversity was sobering and enlightening.  Thanks for helping make the ADM Conference a success!  We wish you the very best.

 

Cordially,

Herbert D. Gordon, President  & CEO, Association of Directory Marketing, Inc. (ADM)

 

My husband and I watched a video last night of Charlie speaking to a group of VA Hospital personnel, and it was fantastic! It was inspiring and heartwarming and encouraging. It is so very humbling to know that we cannot even begin to comprehend the horror, terror and fear that this man experienced, yet here he is, teaching us to reach within ourselves and be better people. I thought it would be such a wonderful thing for the hurricane victims, who are feeling so lost and sad and possibly angry, to watch this video of a man who endured so much and came out so whole. Maybe they would be able to look at things in a whole new way and learn to look forward, not back. I also think every kid should watch this when they turn about 13, and then they should watch it again every 5 years as a refresher and a reminder to honor this man by being the best they can be. Imagine the changes that could take place if everyone saw this video! Thanks to Charlie Plumb for his service to his country, his sacrifices, and for sharing his incredible story. He is a remarkable man!

 

-  Jill Bilhorn

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"Your remarks were very thought provoking, and the analogies made concerning your experiences dealing with adversity and change in today's pharmaceutical environment were right on the mark."

- Peter B. Hills, Vice President, Bristol-Myers Squibb