Geri Grocki is a gifted educator who is involved in teaching students about the importance of positively affecting others. She, with other faculty and students, have started a program at this high school called, Commit To Change. I had the opportunity to visit with the students today and talk to this very inspired group. We were able to spend time getting a close-up look at what sort of passion these students have. They were on board about working to improve the lives of others, thereby positively affecting the world they are about to inherit. All were excited to know that one person can be a powerful force in creating change, just by doing good for others. They realize that the way to improve their world locally and globally is for everyone to Commit To Change. I was ecstatic when nearly the entire room said they wanted to make One Million Acts Of Kindness a lifetime goal. Thank you to everyone involved in making my visit to The Boynton Beach Community High School, a memorable one.

The puppet show has a name; The House That Kindness Built. A cast of five outgoing animals inhabit this home, with the hopes of entertaining children in schools and hospitals across our country. We are designing three shows which will teach children core values they will be able to learn in a humorous way. The first show will feature TC the cat, unable to get down from the tree he has climbed. One by one, all of the others offer their advice, until all end up accompanying TC in the tree as one family group. During the show, clouds in fun shapes will pass above the house. At shows end, the children are encouraged to pick one of the lollipop flowers from one of the window boxes.
I love The Kindness Bus Tour as it makes it possible for me to meet some of the most caring people this nation has.

The Rotary Club of Vero Beach Florida has a longtime member who has a passion for encouraging peace throughout the world. He has started a grassroots effort of getting people involved in singing songs of peace from across the world. On his website, songsforpeace.net , Dr. George Barkett says that the idea of Songs For Peace came to him over twenty years ago. Now, with the ability of the internet to assist in this great idea spreading to people throughout the world, Dr. Barkett felt that this was the time to launch his dream. Visit his website to help him achieve this wonderful dream, and if you feel so inclined, post a video of your song on his site.

Fort Pierce, Florida is home to this museum honoring the branch of the Navy, of brave men, who protect our freedoms. I visited out of respect to those who have given their lives in the line of duty. They gave of their lives protecting our freedoms so all of us are able to live the lives we lead in this great country of ours.
I was met at the entrance by a very enthusiastic Suzi Howard, the museum’s Education Coordinator, wanting to know all about our visit and The Kindness Bus Tour. She helped by getting me great literature on the background of the museum, gaining free access and helping to pose Bogart by the Naked Warrior. He gets his name because the UDTs were quite defenseless in the water without very much protection. The grounds outside the museum are home to various transport vehicles used by SEALs. A beautiful memorial is under construction on a grassy area, honoring the fallen heroes. A very fitting tribute.
The museum’s interior tells the history of this special force and the arduous training involved in becoming a SEAL. The early UDTs; Underwater Demolition Teams, worked to create safe passage of amphibious vehicles carrying men to shore. In the early 1960s the SEALs were formed, ready to take on any threat whether on SEa, Air or Land. Two movies shown in the museum, give a real life depiction of these modern day men. This museum has unbelievable life-like displays. I was very impressed.
I was afforded the opportunity to talk with Capt. (SEAL) Michael R. Howard, USN (Ret), the Executive Director of the museum. I told him the honor it was and thanked him, letting him know that because of what the SEALs have done and continue to do, that we are all able to live the lives we lead. I left the museum with a renewed pride in being an American.

This Easter morning, thoughts I want to share, have been on my mind since early morning March 24th in South Beach. Thoughts of mistaken identity.     I don’t know who runs the morning clean-up detail on this strip of visual paradise but by the time most of the late-night revelers are only half-way through their much needed slumber, the debris removal and pressure wash teams have returned the sidewalks, park and beach areas to pristine condition.
So there we were, Bogart on a taut lead with Bob in tow, headed at a full-throttle saunter to get some full-throttle caffeine. The debris had been bagged for pick-up in clear garbage bags near the sidewalk at various locations. One could see the previous day’s beach trash and treasure bagged and ready for pick-up through the clear bags. I could see at a distance, as I approached each pile of bags, the previous days forgotten loot. I looked at bright plastic beach toys left behind, in bags with soda bottles and other debris. I approached one pile, from a different angle which is shown, unable to discern the contents of the bag. It wasn’t until I was at the angle from which the picture is taken that I realized the human beneath the plastic sheeting.  Then I saw the broken egg and realized someone had thrown a raw egg at this unfortunate man.  It’s hard for me to understand what that could possibly accomplish.  I see that my mission becomes more important every day.

With the opportunity to talk to families in this beach community, I decided to stay here for a couple of days. Friday evenings there is festival overlooking the water with music and food. The locals and vacationers from all reaches of the US and Canada, create a great mix of very nice people. Ten minutes after the festival started, I realized that I had made the correct call. I was able to talk with several hundred people, a good percentage of them were parents with children. What a warm reception we received. During the course of the evening, a local resident named James, joined forces with me, talking to others about the message of One Million Acts Of Kindness. He is now the Fort Pierce Ambassador. Today’s photo shows just how friendly everyone is in this town.

Arriving back to the bus after getting some double strength coffee, Bogart wasn’t at the door to greet me as is usually the case. My heart dropped when I didn’t find him in his kennel or covered with half the bedding from my bed. With Bogart, one must make double sure that the door to the bus is completely closed when leaving. I also need to make sure that he doesn’t sneak past me when leaving the bus. Bogart never comes when you call his name, he barely will even look your way. I did a quick look out the windows and didn’t see him. It was then I heard a noise from the closet area of the bus. I quickly made my way to the rear of the bus, there was Bogart, laying on a small pile of clothing that had fallen off a shelf. The look I got from him was priceless, it was as if he said April Fool’s Day!! I’m almost 8 in dog years, he needs to stop or he’ll be driving me to the emergency room.
Today I started the plans and bought most of the materials for the puppet show set, more about this in tomorrow’s blog.