Some great things have happened since our last update.
Large Marg has been on a roll. Currently she is in Arcata, CA while Gordon Soderberg, the project manager for
The Veterans Green Bus spends some time with his family. What a slacker - he just did that 10 years ago.
While Gordon should never be allowed to do nothing, he did take time to put the decals on the bus - If you look close you can see the star symbol of
The Veterans Green Bus. Still to come are the two large stars - 4' in diameter - on either side of Large Marg. I think those two stars are what will become iconic after the hurricanes to come. But they are, as they called in Oregon, "spendy" at $400 a piece. Large Marg's purse is empty. All of that work in Virginia and in Washington drained her. So, I hate to say it, but,
brothers and sisters, if you can spare a $20.00,
Kent, the genius of
Kent's Custom Diesel, Kelso, Washington spent 3 weeks working on Large Marg. He and his team replaced old and broken hoses, cleaned off 40 years of accrued crud, found new parts to replace old, and like-new parts to replace worn out ones. Because not everything was done that needed to be back in
Roanoke, that truck center,
The Virginia Truck Center has paid for additional work and parts.
Large Marge is about to go all NSA er . . . is about to grow some ears.
Shortly a satellite dish is about to be installed on Large Marg's roof - or as someone said, she's about to get a proper hat. This is the first of two contemplated for the bus. This one will only receive audio and video. The next one is going to both send and receive. If you have one of
THOSE laying about, Gordon would sure like to use it on the bus.
Large Marg is going Solar. Yesterday Oregon Solar agreed to help Soderberg prepare to get donated Solar panels and support equipment. That's a big step forward and a huge relief for Gordon. It may have to wait until the next hurricane season, however. Because the panels are to be mounted on the roof, the frames will have to be custom made and fitted. That's never easy. Oregon Solar isn't the only source interested in helping Large Marg becoming an energy producer.
Goal Zero has expressed an interest in also supplying Large Marg with solar power. Their products are widely sold through REI and other stores dedicated to camping. However, if you have ever lost food during a power outage, you should take a good look at their products. They are affordable, dependable, and, while the batteries are pretty heavy, portable. That means when a power outage strikes, a Goal Zero product can be plugged in to get you through it.
Where Large Marg is Headed Unless Another Disaster Hits
This Sat., July 20 - Visalia Veteran's Service Home
1706 S Central, Visalia, CA - all day
Visalia Veteran's Service Home is committed to providing veterans of OEF and OIF campaigns affordable housing while they pursue various educational opportunities in Tulare County. The Veterans Green Bus will be visiting the vet's center Saturday, July, 20th, giving demonstration of how the bus works and how veterans can take advantage of different volunteer and green job training opportunities. Come out and learn about veteran based disaster response and transitions services.
As The Veterans Green Bus makes the transition from an experimental project to a corporate-backed Mobile Disaster Emergency Response Command Center it still needs your dollars. It is my hope and prayer that all of the corporate support Gordon has worked on comes through in August. Until then, Large Marg needs your support: Large Marg - The Veterans Green Bus
Next Week - July 21 - July 27
July 28 - August 3
August 4 - August 10
Monday, August 12 - Illinois Warrior Summit
Soldiers Field, Chicago, IL - Noon to 5 PM