Good Words, Good Deeds, Good News

Hero Dog Saves Master

A Stevens County, Washington, Sheriff's deputy came across a dog in the middle of the road. Deputy Wright tried to get the dog to get into his vehicle, so he could find her family, but she refused to move. She looked up a driveway and then back at Wright before running up the driveway.

Wright followed her up the driveway, where he found 84-year-old Keith, who had fallen and broken his hip. Keith had let the dog, Gita, out, and was walking behind her when he fell.

According to the sheriff's office, 13-year-old Gita is a rescue dog. “We credit Gita for saving his life that day. The loyalty and heroism of our furry friends never cease to amaze us,” the agency said.

Maine Neighbors Revitalize Veterans Monument

Kevin was waiting at a stop sign in Westbrook, Maine, when he noticed a granite block under an overgrown bush. Later, he went back and pulled the bush up so he could see the block. It read, “Erected to honor Pride's Corner veterans of all wars, presented by the Kiwanis Club of Pride's Corner, 1983,”

The monument fell into disrepair after the Kiwanis Club disbanded years ago, but volunteers were not about to let that be the end of the matter. Kevin's coworkers created a group to restore the monument, and hope to replace the flagpole. They plan to return on Veterans Day to honor the veterans.

Man Hiked Through Damage to Reunite With Parents

Sam Perkins decided to launch a one-man mission to make sure his parents were alive and safe because he had not heard from them in two days, USA Today reported on October 1st.

Because of the damage, he couldn't drive, so he set out to hike 11 miles to check on them. That hike took him 2,200 feet up in the hills and across mudslides, fallen trees and washed out roads to make sure his parents were ok.

They were fine, but completely cut off from any help. When he got there, his father was working with his chainsaw, cutting up fallen trees. He made it a point to hug both parents.

Elementary School Honors 100 Year-old Veteran

Students at a New Hampshire elementary school honored several veterans at their Veterans Day program, held the Friday before the holiday. Each veteran received a bouquet of flowers and was thanked for their service. One veteran honored was 100 years old. Wilfrid had been drafted at age 18, and had served in the 776th Battalion, also known as “Liberty Bell.” During his service, his battalion protected English airfields from enemy attacks.

The School Principal said, “He's an extremely special man, and I think he exemplifies what we want all of our children to grow up to be.”

Veterans Day is always observed on November 11, and it is a day set aside for Americans to celebrate and honor the nation's veterans “for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good,” according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' website.

Idaho Secret Santa Gifts Needy Family

In eastern Idaho, a “Secret Santa” has been giving much help over the last few years. The anonymous Secret Santa is giving out $1 million to “deserving people” in eastern Idaho over the next season, Eastern Idaho News reported.

This year, they started off by helping Saidu and his wife, Selena. Selena just gave birth after a high-risk pregnancy, and the baby had to be delivered early via a c-section. They found out that the baby had been diagnosed with Down's Syndrome, and doctors discovered a hole in his heart.

“The baby came in four weeks early,” Saidu said. “The baby is going to be at the NICU for the next four weeks, maybe, because he's still using oxygen until he's able to breathe on his own.” “It's challenging, especially juggling — because we have a two-year-old at home — trying to figure out, because… you have to be 18 years and above [to go to the NICU],” Saidu explained. “And so [we're] planning between going to the NICU and who is going to watch the two-year-old at home. And currently we have one car, so it's really been hard. Like, she has to drop me off at work [and] find somebody to look at the two-year-old to go to the NICU.”

The news outlet has found that Saidu and his wife are the “most generous couple you'll ever meet”, delivering groceries to their elderly neighbors, or helping someone who had fallen.

The news crew delivered $2,000 in gift cards to a local grocery store, and a check for $3,000. Continuing to shake and cover his face to hide the tears, he said, “I'm just grateful. I think this is gonna really take us a long way [by] helping us with medical bills and everything.”