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Two Sweetwater residents make lasting impression on traveling family |
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Written by Staff Reports
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Friday, 26 June 2009 |
A couple of Sweetwater citizens made a lasting impression on a Killeen family traveling through the area. An employee of Tractor Supply Company, Chris Miller and Jeremy Morris, a local customer of Tractor Supply, on the hot day of June 6, took the time to help a family who found themselves unexpectedly stranded in Sweetwater.
The Lahmann family from Killeen was heading towards Utah for their very first family vacation. The father, Jake Lahmann said, “We stopped at the local Wendy’s for lunch and when pulling through the drive-thru I heard an unusual sound. Thinking the sound was coming from the vehicle I jumped out to inspect and found that a trailer wheel was barely on.”
Jake fashions himself as a DIY kind of guy, so he carefully drove the family and trailer in tow over to Tractor Supply to get some parts and possibly some advice. When Jake walked in the store and explained his situation to a helpful cashier she said, “Hang on, I’ll get Chris.”
While waiting on Chris, Mr. Lahmann was browsing the internet for advice on how to repair trailer axles and read several stories about dads who never properly maintain trailer axles which causes the classic scene of a family on vacation, broken down on the side of the road wondering why their trailer wheel fell off. Jake said, “Yep, that’s me and I’m learning my lesson about taking care of a trailer.”
When Chris was able to lend a hand to the Lahmann family, it was clear that the damage to the trailer wheel was going to be no minor repair. The trailer was going to need a completely new axle. In response, Chris helped Jake round up a new axle, tires and some tools to supplement what Jake was able to bring with him. Chris helped Jake outside with the heavy purchases but after that Jake said, “The unexpected began to happen. I’m not one to ask for help, so when I started to get the trailer ready to replace the axle and Chris jumped right in to help, I was in awe.”
Despite several doses of WD-40, Chris and Jake were having a tough time with some stubborn nuts and bolts. That’s when a local customer of Tractor Supply named Jeremy Morris noticed this and Jake got another unexpected surprise. Jeremy jumped into help with some powerful air-tools and a healthy amount of experience of trailers. Between the three of them, they were able to put on the new axle and tires in about two hours.
When finished with the repairs, Jake needed a good place to get rid of a bad axle and to take a couple of good tires and wheels as payment for doing so. Jeremy wouldn’t hear of it. Jeremy said, “I’ll get rid of the axle for free and as for the tires and wheels, I know how much they cost.” Jeremy pulled out a hundred and gave it to Jake. Jake said, “I was very humbled by the help and Jeremy’s gesture just brought my definition of kindness to a whole new level.”
Before getting back on the road and on schedule, Jake told Chris, “Thank you, I appreciate you and will never forget you.”
Chris replied, “You are very welcome and hey, it’s humanity.”
Thanks to Chris and Jeremy, the Lahmann family had an awesome vacation and because of those two guys Jake said, “I will always have fond memories of Sweetwater and I’m looking forward to coming back for a proper visit.” |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 29 June 2009 )
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