Dear Captain Plumb,

Thank you for your presentation to the Medtronic audience on Thursday, June 7th, 2007. I had the mandatory honor of being in the crowd that day:) The number of emails, letters, and other expressions of appreciation you receive must be impossible to count. I have no expectation that mine will stand out versus any other. However, I must tell you that I believe you were an instrument of God's will that day.

On numerous occasions, my wife Keri has told me that I had a story to tell. She has believed in me like no other and she continues to contend that I could touch someone's life. I have been in prayer that God would reveal his will for me and show me the path for sharing my life story. I don't know if it will ever been in the venue or on the scale of which you have touched lives. However, hearing you speak about adversity being a terrible thing to waste and the position of parachute packer taking many forms has changed my thoughts of embarrassment and shame of my past life into feelings of inspiration.

You see I am the illegitimate son of an illiterate mother. As my mother searched to bring me a stable home life, her three marriages and the subsequent three divorces provided me only with an education many are blessed not to receive. Statistically speaking, I shouldn't have been in the audience of the world's largest medical device maker this past week. But statistics never take into account intestinal fortitude. This fortitude and God's ever present hand moved me in a better direction. There are a lot of accounts that fill the gaps of my life. But at the end of it all, I graduated Cum Laude from The Citadel, completed my MBA, and had the privilege of hearing an American hero.

My story may never leave the room of a junior high Sunday school class or a local boy's home. However, I want to thank you for the motivation and the inspiration to move forward and start packing some parachutes.

Best regards,

- David Reaney
Medtronic Diabetes

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It is with great excitement that I write to you today.  A friend e-mailed me a beautiful story about Lieutenant Charles Plumb and his meeting in a restaurant with the man who "packed his parachute."  As I read the  familiar name in the story I realized it was the same name as the one that was engraved in my P.O.W. bracelet that I wore faithfully in high school during the Vietnam War.  Somewhere between 1969 and 1973 I bought a small silver cuff bracelet as a fundraiser.  It was  engraved with  "LT. J. CHARLES PLUMB JR., 5-19-67" .  I wore it faithfully and prayed daily for the safety and safe return of "my prisoner" as did  most of the girls I attended school with. We all had bracelets with the  names of different prisoners.  How happy I was to catch the evening news to see a clip of Lieutenant Plumb being greeted by military personnel after his release.  I still have the newspaper article showing  Lt. Plumb at Clark Air Force Base.  I always thought it was more than a coincidence that I was able to see him on T.V. and see the newspaper article! And now, all these years later to open an e-mail about him!  Amazing.  I did a "google search" and found the wonderful site that gave me this e-mail address. I've moved at least five times since high school and have certainly lost or misplaced many things.  But for some reason this bracelet and article always stayed safe.  I am wearing the bracelet today and will continue to do so remembering Lt. Plumb in my prayers now as I did before.  I am both proud and honored to wear it. I would like to think that my prayers then helped him stay strong during the dark days of his captivity.

 

Thank you Lt. Plumb.

 

 

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Dear Captain Plumb,

 

I just received this morning an e-mail from a friend that explained the story of the sailor who cared for the parachute that saved your life. This story touched me very deeply and entered in my life whit a very good timing. I am getting through an hard time at work (though it is nothing compared to what you lived in Vietnam!) and  your story gave me courage and motivation that I needed to walk again whit my heads up . The fact that somebody took the time to send me me this story gave me the good answer : someday cares of me and I am important for someone.

 

We never know where and how the response will come. Who could imagine that a 44 year old French Canadian could be comforted by the message of an American war hero living in California? That is the miracle of living. I can assure you, dear Captain Plumb, that your message will be transmitted to all my friends and loved ones.

God bless you Captain,

 

Sincerely,

ps : Please excuse my poor english!

- Louis Routhier

Saint-Prime, Québec

Canada

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Captain;

I am not sure if you remember me or not.  Several years ago, I had gone through a tough spot and recall I had come across your talk given at the Naval academy about choices and parachute packing which changed my life. 

I am in the middle of the prison I have built for myself (and working my way out)as I have been out of work going on 3 years.  During past year, I have lost over a $500,000, my family through divorce and have had thoughts of being one of society’s discarded souls for standing up and reporting a flaw in an accounting procedure.  But through all that, I cannot tell you how many parachutes I continue to pack….

I think of the friend from high school I helped 2 years ago.  You see, they lost their job and was all alone as a 40 year old and out of work.  I flew to Chicago using frequent flyer miles and gave her your tape to think about and reflect upon.  She has since gotten married, found the man of her dreams, and found a company that appreciates her abilities as a CPA  and her expertise to handle the reporting of the financial events. 

I reflect on the friend form college who went through the ugly divorce with her child and the uncertainty they faced.  What bravery she endured to find a new career after her place of work closed after so many years. She has since married to a man that loves her and her child as any father/husband would.  And she is so happy, knowing that these prisons are just a moment in time.

I think about the man I saw in High Point, NC (you see, High Point use to be the furniture capital of the world, and most of the furniture companies have moved their operations to China in search of cheaper labour) as I was headed for a job interview sitting on the sidewalk.  When I passed by after the interview, I saw him still sitting there. I pulled over and asked him if he was ok and if he needed anything.  He said he was waiting for the owner of the shop he was sitting next to and sure could use a couple of dollars.  I went back to my car and gave him a 10, remarking that he couple of dollars was not going to help him much.  He remarked, “I do not know who you are, but you sure have a good heart…”.  I told him who I was was not as important as what I was, someone who cares about the people around him and that I was packing his parachute.  I gave him a hug and a blessing and wished him well.

I know you are a very busy man and have endured so much sitting in the Hanoi Hilton for so many years.  Yet, I think it Is important to tell you all this, not for a justification of the works or deeds that I have undertaken, but to let you know that all those years you spent have made an impact on someone else.  You see, even in my current situation, I still see it as a vital part of the human experience to help others and where applicable, “Pack their Parachute”.  Maybe they will help some else…

Thank you so much for what you do and from those of us who get it… May you and your family be blessed during this season and the times to come.

Sincerely,

- James Farmer

Formerly, 1^st Lieutenant, XO, B Battery, 4/75^th Field Artillery, 434 FA Brigade

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I just attended Charlie’s presentation today with Raymond James in Tampa Bay. It was a superb personal testimonial on overcoming adversity and keeping on keeping on!  My late father joined the Royal Navy at seventeen, became a Engineer and Submariner, he was a very good father and a man of integrity, I heard the term keep on keeping a few times! 19 years later I still miss my father, but thank- you Charlie for sharing and allowing me to “push the wire back”. I will use Charlie’s talk to help me be a better servant to God, my wife, my children , my clients and my firm.

 

Thank you and may God bless your country…

 

Sincerely

- DOUG SMITH
Investment Advisor
Raymond James Ltd.

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Dear Captain Plumb,

I am a social worker for the Poplar Bluff, Missouri, VA Medical Center. I went to see you, yesterday, at the St. Louis VAMC, having no idea who I was going to listen to, other than a “motivational speaker.” What I did not know, was that I was going to have the opportunity to listen to someone who was prepared to give his very life for my freedom, my children’s freedom, my future grandchildren’s freedom, etc… For that, I am forever grateful. God has truly blessed you with the gift of inspiring others to step out of our mental boxes & to humbly thank those, in our lives, who prepare our parachutes. Thank you, Captain Plumb, for your service. May God bless you, your family, & the United States of America.