Safety Apparel

It won't be long now before the extended daylight hours begin to shorten.  The  bright evenings will soon give way to darkness along with the perils of not being as visible to others as you walk, bike or jog.  School will also be starting soon and the early, dark morning hours will see students on the streets heading to class.

We all trust that a cars headlights will illuminate us so that we can be seen by the drivers and be safe as we go about our routine and activities.  However, a cars headlights only provide us with a false hope that we can be safely seen.  It also doesn't help that so many people like to wear dark colored clothing, only adding to the danger of being outside in darkness.

So is there an answer without compromising our fashion sensibilities?  Yes.  The answer lies in safety reflective materials used to embellish garments and accessories.  One such product is 3M Scotchlite with certified safety ratings.

This product is used by emergency personnel like fire and police agencies.  It's also perfect for roadside work crews and anyone else that might be working in a hazardous environment and needs to be seen.  What's so great about this product is that the material can be computer/plotter cut so logos and company names can be added to the garments.  It gives business owners the flexibility to create custom apparel while adhering to the safety of their work force.

Students can have hoodies, t-shirts or even backpacks adorned with this reflective material, cut to a favorite design and still be fashionable.

Joggers can start that early morning run in the winter darkness and be confident that they are better prepared to be seen by those with which they share the road.

Bicyclists can peddle away with a greater sense of security knowing they will be more visible to others that are on the road with them.

Whatever your need for safety reflective apparel is, let www.mwcenterprises.biz help you be safer at work and play.

E-mail us at sales@mwcenterprises.biz for more information

Remember the Wounded Ride and TAPP

Just a little over a year ago I had the pleasure to become a part of the Remember the Wounded Ride program.  Scot King will begin a bicycle journey across the country to bring awareness to wounded veterans.  His ride kicks off on May 7th, 2011 from Salem, Oregon.  The first leg of the journey will take him to Portland, Oregon and from there it continues until he reaches Washington D.C.  His journey will take approximately two years to complete.

Scot served in the United States Marine Corps from 1985-1990.  A very patriotic person, Scot is genuine in wanting to help our Veterans.  He is a person who is committed to action.  I wish Scot safe travels as he takes on this "mission" of help, hope and awareness.

"My life has been full of challenges but I have always remained true to myself.  The ride is about all the men and women in uniform who have given so much for this great country.  It is my mission to educate and remind Americans why we owe so much to those who have fought for our freedom and have given so much to keep us safe.  The injuries our service men and women bear are not always those you can see".

Cpl.  Scot King

Visit Scot's web site, www.rememberthewoundedride.com to follow along.

Through Scot, I have also been fortunate enough to become involved with The American Patriot Program.  This non-profit is an organization that honors wounded veterans and brings them recognition for their sacrifices and service.  Wounded Veteran's are nominated and receive the gratitude of a grateful nation at a National Hockey League game or Major League Baseball event.  In conjunction with the NHL and MLB these Hero's are given the Honor they so deserve.

Wes Hazlet, the National Director of The American Patriot Program has been the inspiration and driving force.  He is humbled by the courage and devotion of the brave men and women in uniform.

I had the fortune to be in Anaheim last week for an event honoring SSGT Octavio Sanchez.  The event took place at the Honda Center with the Anaheim Ducks National Hockey League Team.

SSGT Sanchez was wounded in Ramadi, Iraq and suffered 3rd degree burns over 70 percent of his body and facial area.  With his wife and 3 of his 4 children there, it was a very emotional experience to be in the company of this brave man.  Saying Thank You just doesn't seem to say enough to show my gratitude.

Representatives from TAPP and the NHL were on hand to present pleasantry gifts of gratitude.  My wife Anna and I were in good company with the TAPP team.

Also there was GySGT Blaine Scott, a 2010 nominated Patriot and his wife Lilly.

Thank you Wes and www.tapp.kk5.org for all that you do.

www.presteejustees.com and www.mwcenterprises.biz look forward to the day that all of our men and women in uniform return home safely.

The Art of Writing

January 28th, 1986 was a day that many of us won't forget.  The Florida sky was blue.  The air crisp as people gathered for the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger.  The first astronaut teacher, Christa McAuliffe, was to make history by soaring into the sky and to teach class from space.  Her parents watched proudly, beaming with a joy that sometimes only a parent can know.  They were still expressing that joy when the Challenger veered from a straight path and began to fall from the sky.  It took her parents a moment to realize that something terrible had happened.

That was the visual I remember that day.  Sometime later, President Ronald Reagan gave a speech to reassure a nation coping with grief.  It was a line in that speech that I will never forget, because even today it evokes within me an emotion of sadness and grief that has been imprinted into my soul:  "We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for the journey and waved goodbye and 'slipped the surly bonds of earth' to 'touch the face of God.'  The words were taken from a sonnet, "High Flight" written during World War II by an American aviator serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force, John Gillespie Magee, Jr.  


So now I wonder, have we lost our ability to take pen to hand and communicate with written words.  Words, that when assembled into a structure can bring pause, inspire into action or evoke an emotion. How important is it anymore?  Some may think that it really isn't that crucial in this day and age, but I disagree.


In business we still need to write letters, whether short memos, sales proposals or just a Thank You for your business.  They need to be written accurately and convey a message.  Would you do business with some who writes like they text?  I'm guessing that you might have some second thoughts about partnering with that business.


Love letters used to be written all the time.  Words that eloquently described feelings for someone.  How many love letters are tucked away in "Memory Boxes" stained with tears from the time they were first read?  


On the other hand, ending relationships used to involve writing letters.  While it may have had a different emotional result, time was taken to communicate why it was being done.  Now, it seems it's a simple text, devoid of any emotion.


Writing for personal joy is one thing I enjoy.  If it's not read by anyone, that's okay.  I still enjoy it.  With blogs, anyone can take a few moments to share their thoughts or start that manuscript.  Even if you don't have to write anything, do it.  You'll be a better person for having mastered the gift of the word.


For www.presteejustees.com and www.mwcenterprises.biz, our words on shirts are just bits and pieces of text.  Just a synopsis.  It's the rest of the time that we write for a greater purpose, to bring pause, inspire into action or evoke that emotion.


In speaking, you will be remembered for a moment.  When you write, you will be immortal.