The Story Underneath

Regardless of where you live, in a big city, in a small town, or out in the country, there’s a story to be discovered everywhere. Even as a kid I was always fascinated by the backstory, the story underneath. A few miles from my hometown there was this busy truck stop that most people called Service Town. When I was sixteen I wrote a poem about a girl named Shelly who survived off the travelers and truckers at Service Town. Through the years, more characters were added, Shelly had a backstory and the poem became a short novel that won the 14th Annual Quarter Finals Prize at the Writers Network Fiction Competition. Over the years I’ve experienced a lot, both negative and positive, and through it all creating stories has been my saving grace. We all have a backstory. There’s more to you than what’s seen on the surface. Maybe the main story is you, and it’ll be interesting to discover the story underneath. – Randolph Randy Camp

Teacher Appreciation from Author Randy Camp

At age 18, during June 1979, a couple weeks before Randy Camp’s High School graduation, he wrote the ‘Put Something Back’ letter-to-the-editor, as a ‘thank you’ to his teachers of Spotsylvania County, Virginia… “LETTER TO THE EDITOR” which was published in the local newspaper FREDERICKSBURG FREE LANCE- STAR on June 5, 1979… PUT SOMETHING BACK, GRADUATES URGED To the Editor: I am a senior at Spotsylvania High School and will be graduating in a couple of weeks. This year many seniors from our area high schools will be going away to colleges and trade schools to become professionals in the business world and other fields. I hope that many of us will return to this area to put our skills and special training to work. We must not forget where we come from or those who helped us to get where we are (or will be). I can’t speak for every senior, but I have taken something very valuable from this area, and I feel that I must put something back to show my appreciation. I am speaking of education. I have learned that a person should give if he or she has received. I hope that the class of ’79 will join me in the future to reimburse our hometown. RANDOLPH CAMP

School The Politicians

Those politicians who supports the banning of certain books and supports the restrictions on the teaching of Critical Race Theory (CRT) are, in my view, making America weaker. If the purpose of public education is to prepare our young people for the future, for the real world, then if we don’t tell them the truth (about history, etc) then we are setting them up for failure. How can American kids compete with others if their minds have been brainwashed and watered down? If we truly want a stronger nation we need to remind and school these certain politicians of the primary purpose of our kids’ education. We shouldn’t be creating backward-minded policies and laws that weaken our kids, which weakens our nation. Too many of our educators are quitting due to these new policies and restrictions, so we should be doing things to keep our dedicated and creative teachers and librarians, which strengthens our kids and their future, ultimately making the nation stronger. I personally use this photo to keep my spirit up, especially when I’m seeing around me people’s actions and certain laws trying to belittle me or attempt to take my people’s true history and pride away. The 50-foot sculpture is entitled ‘Dignity’. It’s located in South Dakota to honor women of the Sioux Nation. – Randolph Randy Camp

Another Trip To The VA

It’s the spring of 2022 and we’ve been coping with the coronavirus for a while now. The VA is offering the second booster shot to veterans. Any particular visit to the VA conjures up a vast array of emotions for me, good and bad. Stepping into any VA hospital you will definitely see amputees, and this humbles me every time. Seeing an amputee makes me appreciate the feet and hands I do have and makes me feel guilty when I catch myself complaining about something trivial. Walking through the hallways, sitting in the waiting rooms, or simply being in the presence of other military veterans can stir up stuff you’re still unable to talk about. I’m 61 years old now and these visits to the VA reminds me that some scars can’t be hidden. Veterans are notorious for keeping things bottled up. We have all heard the saying ‘boys don’t cry’, but I personally know that’s not true because every story I’d ever written is a form of me crying. It’s not easy for veterans to bring up past memories. Keeping things tucked away for long stretches of time isn’t healthy. On the average, twenty veterans commit suicide every day. After I got my booster shot the nurse had me sit for observation for about ten minutes in the waiting room. This is probably the hardest part of my visit to the VA because this is where I see myself in the faces of all the other vets sitting around me. We sit in silence, knowing each others’ scars. I served in the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Marine Corps. Whether you’re a military veteran or a civilian, opening up is tough. Here’s the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-8255. – Randolph Randy Camp

Kira on The Campaign Trail at Randie's Free Library

It’s great to see people involved and engaging with their community. Canvassing and participating in grassroots campaigning certainly isn’t for everybody. Kira says that she loves it because she gets to meet and chat with so many interesting people. Kira is campaigning for Dr. Megan Srinivas, running for Iowa House District 30. By the way, Kira is an avid reader and her favorite children’s book is ‘Where The Wild Things Are’, which had a big impact on her life.

Books From Heaven: Randie's Free Library

It’s April 21, six days from Randie’s birthday and two boxes of books were dropped off for RANDIE’S FREE LIBRARY early this morning.

Keep Hoping, Don't Give Up

Keep Hoping, Don’t Give Up…Just like many of you, watching what’s happening in Ukraine right now is rough. Seeing the inspiring, fighting spirit of the Ukrainian people reminds me of my favorite children’s book ‘The Little Engine That Could.’ I think I can, I think I can. (And how fitting that the book cover reflects the colors of the Ukrainian flag.) – Randolph Randy Camp