11/11/2022
Hello Family & Friends,
A personal message from the owner, me, Kate.
We have all had a really tough past few years, it is somewhat reminiscent to me of a favorite childhood playground ride... the "merry-go-round" or "roundabout".
We spin it and spin it as fast as we can and as we grip the bars in the attempt to placate your own demise while you watch helplessly as others fly off into their oblivion.
I do not know a single person who has not been touched by one tragedy or another including myself.
This past year has, surprisingly, been especially tough for my family with many tragedies and heartache. And although they are all meaningful and all deserve their own story there are two I wish to talk about today and that is my Uncle, Kenneth Courtemanche and my Grandfather, Milton Courtemanche who passed away less than 2 months apart within these past 3 months.
I believe one of the things, as humans, that we can work when losing someone is concentrating on the death and not on the life of our loved ones.
My Uncle and Grandfather were both Navy, my Grandfather a "lifer" reaching the rank of Chief Petty Officer.
My Uncle, and my Mom's best friend, was actually given a choice of jail or military for "mischief" behavior. He chose the Navy and never regretted it.
I come from a long line of military on both sides of my family. Sometimes it wasn't their first choice and none of them were perfect humans, but what they all agreed on is the lack of regret for being a Patriot and being there for their country.
So today, as should be everyday, I thank you Veterans for your love of our country, but even more for your love of protecting us as a people and our freedoms.
To my Uncle and Grandfather, although you are no longer with us. I "love" your imperfections, I miss them in my life. Thank you so much for protecting my freedoms as a woman to live, work, and own my own company. Thank you above all for protecting these same freedoms for strangers you never meet.
I implore all of you that know someone who has served us, as a PEOPLE, to reach out and give gratitude.. buy their meal at a restaurant you are at, or a drink. Leave a note on a car or approach them in person. It is important that we acknowledge the sacrifice that these imperfect-perfect humans are willing to give and be truly grateful to them for willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Thank you Veterans, we are all eternally grateful. To my Uncle and Grandfather, you have made me a proud niece and granddaughter.
In memory of my Uncle and Grandfather I will be donating all profits from Kustom Products Inc from Nov 11th-Nov 13th to multiple military charities including Wounded Warriors. We invite you to donate with us and have attached their link to Wounded Warriors below.
Cheers, and hug your Vertans ❤️
Kate McNeeley
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
