2017 July/August Franklin Living by Franklin County

July/Augusst 2 July/August 2017 017 Vol. 7 Issue eN No. o. 4

Military leads to JROTC Saying thank you for freedom Old Glory: rest in peace

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Home of the brave Veterans activities continue annually at Cypress Cove Farm

From the Army to the classroom Lier transitions from military to JROTC

14 Cooking with Sam Creamy Classic Pimiento Cheese

18 Old Glory American Legion maintains drop box for flag disposal

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Faces of Franklin County What’s Hot Classifieds Faces of Franklin County Looking Back Parting Shot

FROM THE MANAGER

n this day and age, when our way of life is threatened, our beliefs are questioned and our flags are burned, I think it is so wonderful we live in an area that still holds the Bible and our flag very close to our hearts. We still have these hard-fought, hard-won freedoms that we hold dear. With this issue of “Franklin Living,” we would like to honor all current military and our FCNI General Manager Nicole Pell with her veterans. husband, Hans. We are so lucky here in Franklin County to have the options and opportunities that we have for our students – such as Camp Cypress Cove that is teaching students about patriotism. Who better to teach students how to love and cherish this country than our veterans? At Russellville High School, Lt. Colonel Lier, who is now the JROTC instructor after an extensive military history in the Army, is also influencing students. He isn’t trying to convince anyone to join the Army – he is just hoping to inspire students to be better people throughout their lives. As adults, most of us at some point learned how to properly care for a flag, but sometimes we don’t know what to do with our wornout flags. In this issue, find out what the local American Legion has done to help. We love to put the spotlight on our veterans – just like we love to bring all that is great about Franklin County to light. We enjoy sharing the stories we run across that really show what we are made of here and the great things that we do. It is an honor to be able to do this, not just because it’s our job but as a contribution – a gift to our community. It is also wonderful to know that others take notice, and others outside of our county love what we have to offer here as well. “Franklin Living” was recently awarded Best Niche Publication in our division by our newspaper colleagues in the Alabama Press Association’s annual Better Newspaper Contest. We also took 3rd place in Best Magazine Periodical. We feel honored that we are allowed to bring such a publication to you every other month. We hope you read and enjoy this issue. Thank a veteran, and do your part to influence the younger generations to realize why we have the freedoms and opportunities that we do.

ON THE COVER: Norman Lier is the JROTC instructor at Russellville High School, a role he came to after more than 20 years of service in the United States Army. For his story, see page 14.

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General Manager NICOLE PELL Managing Editor ALISON JAMES Franklin Living is published monthly by Franklin County Newspapers, Inc.

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256-332-1881 • fax: 256-332-1883 www.franklincountytimes.com

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Photography ALISON JAMES 5

FACES OF FRANKLIN COUNTY The Franklin County Farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Market hosted a special event to serve as a grand opening in late June. Shoppers were invited to come out to the market to sample grilled fresh vegetables like corn, squash and potatoes, served up by nutrition education program agent assistant Annette Casteel and market manager Gary Stanford, with assistance from Jim Casteel. Market-goers ambled through the covered pavilion, purchasing their fill of fresh beans, corn, tomatoes, cabbages, jellies and honey and more, while sampling the lightly seasoned grilled veggies. Photos by ALISON JAMES

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Home of the brave

Veterans activities continue annually for students at Cypress Cove Farm

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As part of each yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities, veterans are invited to Cypress Cove Farm to speak to the students and share their memories of serving.

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American Legion Post 120 Commander Frankie Smith was first to conceive the idea of the veterans activities designed to reach the next generation.

Story and photos by ALISON JAMES

his fall will mark the fifth year Red Bay American Legion Post 120 Commander Frankie Smith has brought four weeks of veteran-centric activities to Cypress Cove Farm for students – or as it’s come to be called for these sessions, in military fashion, “Camp Cypress Cove.” This year, over the course of several sessions, about 1,000 students will visit Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow’s Cypress Cove Farm to learn about flag folding, tour a military museum and hear the true stories of veterans from each branch of the United States military. Smith said the idea struck him after a Veterans Day program at Red Bay High School in 2012. “The kids didn’t know what veterans were,” Smith said. “All they saw were a bunch of old people sitting under the basketball goals. They’re told, ‘These are veterans’” – but without any real comprehension of that significance. Red Bay was the guinea pig pilot school for the Cypress Cove Farm program in 2013. Smith said it went over so well that activities have grown every year since. In 2014 Russellville, Vina and Colbert County were invited, in addition to Red Bay. Two years ago saw the addition of Belgreen, Tharptown and East Franklin. Last year welcomed Emmanuel Baptist School, from the Shoals. “It was just a normal fit,” said Morrow, of the decision to host activities at Cypress Cove Farm. “We’ve had thousands of kids here over many, many years. When Frankie thought about Veterans Day, he just approached me and said, ‘Can we do veterans activities?’ I said, of course we can – you come up with the ideas, I’ll get some military vehicles and tents.” Smith said he starts preparing at the beginning of September, contacting the schools and laying out a schedule. Then it’s a matter of lining up veterans to speak and help with activities and setting up the museum. After four years, “we’re getting it down to an art,” Smith said. Students learn practical skills like flag folding and marching, as well as concepts like respect

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and patriotism. They get to ride the trails of Cypress Cove Farm in military vehicles; tour the Fred Rosemore and Gordon Morrow Memorial Museum; and hear the tales of veterans willing to share about their service and their love for America. “We have three or four veterans who do it every year,” Smith said. “They have a pride in the military.” “I’ve watched the volunteers,” Morrow added. “I have noticed the veterans – it’s like they have a sense of pride. They were proud to be in the military, and they have personal experiences they love to share with children … They are proud to have served their country.” One goal is that this program will spark similar efforts in other counties and regions. “We’re not doing anything unique here. You can come here and look and use your veterans in your district and do the same thing,” Morrow said. “It’s all about teaching patriotism.” He and Smith have both used their connections, in state politics and the American Legion respectively, to spread details of the program far and wide. “We want everybody in Alabama to know the same thing could be done in any county in the state,” Morrow emphasized.

Above: One of Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow’s favorite parts of the activities at Cypress Cove is demonstrating to the children how to thank a veteran. Right: Morrow and Smith team up each year to bring the activities to the children.

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Above: The playing of taps is a feature of each session – last year performed by Red Bay High School’s Jarod Massey. Right: Veterans share their stories annually in military tents, where the children listen intently.

In Red Bay, Billy Boyd provides the sound system and stage for the multi-day event. Tiffin Supply provides 2-by-12’s and concrete blocks for seating for the students, and Swamp John’s donates food for the veterans and other volunteers. “Everybody we have asked to help has pitched in whatever we need,” Morrow said. To conclude each session, Morrow demonstrates for the students how to look a veteran in the eye, shake his hand and say, “Thank you for my freedom.” “We teach the kids one very simple fact: your freedom is not free,” Morrow said. “When someone does something for you as precious as giving you your freedom, what do you do? You thank them for it.” “Our children need to know the connection between veterans and their freedom,” Morrow added. “If you just take your freedom for granted, and you don’t think about the people who died, who gave sacrifices in the wars we’ve had, then you think freedom is something not worth fighting for; not worth standing up for; and not worth voting for candidates who are going to bring about a strong military and belief in basic freedoms.”

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Army classroom

From the to the

Lt. Col. Norman Lier transitions military career to JROTC instructor at RHS Story and photos by ALISON JAMES

Lt. Col. Norman Lier has been the JROTC instructor at Russellville High School since 2009.

t. Col. Norman Lier was exposed to the Army very young, with a father who was in the Army. Today Lier is instructor for the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps at Russellville High School – a role he took on after almost two decades of Army service. When Lier graduated high school he first went into the Marines, building on his time in the Marine JROTC. But following his Marine service he went to college at the University of North Alabama, joined the ROTC program, graduated in 1983 and entered the Army. “I was firmly convinced I was going to go in the military, spend one or two tours, several years, then get out and do something else,” Lier said. That was not to be the case. “The further I went into it, the more I loved it.” As an infantryman Lier took on United States Airborne School, U.S. Army Air Assault School and then Ranger School. His first duty assignment was Germany, from 1983-1986. “I saw most of Germany through the cargo hatch of an armored personnel carrier,” Lier said. “My first year there we spent more than sixth months in the field. We would basically come in for a week and go out for a week, come in for a week and go out for two weeks, constantly. I still loved it.” He advanced to battalion motor officer during his service in Germany. “I spent my last year as a motor officer, trying to keep an entire infantry battalion’s worth of equipment running the way it needed to. I guess I was pretty good at it because it all kept running.”

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RHS is in the process of developing and expanding an obstacle course for physical fitness among JROTC cadets.

Lier next landed in Fort Benning, Georgia, for the infantry officers advanced course for five months, after which he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky – the assignment where he would ultimately spend a large portion of his service and where he would come to feel most at home. “Have you ever been someplace you just clicked? That was it. I loved the 101st Airborne,” Lier said. “They have an amazing history, especially in World War II, and they have participated in every major military operation, I think, that

there ever was. They are just an amazing organization … Given the opportunity, I’d probably go back today.” He was captain when he first came to the 101st Airborne, where he was a personnel officer for an infantry battalion before taking command of an anti-armor company. He continued in company command for almost two years. “I had the greatest bunch of guys you would ever want to meet in your life. They just made the job easy,” Lier said. Lier next went to Combined Armed Service Staff School and then got the call to serve as a comptroller for

Lier tries to impress upon his students principles like leadership and civic duty.

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the 75th Ranger Regiment, helping to deploy the special operations force for Operation Just Cause in 1989 – the United States’ invasion of Panama. “My first function as a newly-arrived member of the Ranger Regiment was to get them on the aircraft to deploy to Panama,” he said. He continued as comptroller for two years before taking “command of the regimental headquarters company, and I commanded that for a little over a year.” He next landed in Washington, D.C., to serve on the Department of the Army Secretariat as a recorder, a two-and-a-halfyears assignment, before he was selected for the Air Command and Staff College in Montgomery. “I spent a year there,” Lier said. “That’s focused on getting you ready to be a staff officer at the battalion or higher level. I finished that, and they sent me back to Washington, D.C., this time as a military comptroller. This time I worked in the Pentagon as a military comptroller, for the next two and a half years.” He returned to the 101st Airborne at Fort Campbell. Now a major, he immediately became a battalion executive officer of an infantry battalion, second in command. “I spent a year and a half doing that, with multiple training deployments and lots of field time,” Lier said. He went next to the division headquarters – a stint of service he wouldn’t count among his favorites. “Infantry guys want to be with soldiers. They don’t want to be in a headquarters or anything. They want to be with soldiers,” Lier said. But at headquarters he interviewed for three different positions and was selected to be the secretary to the general staff. “The SGS sits right outside the commending general’s office and runs interference for the commanding general,” Lier said. “I helped coordinate actions with the commanding general’s staff. I’m the guy who got the late-night phone calls – if somebody in division got notified of an incident, they called me first, and I would tell them whether they should call the general or somebody else.” After a year of service there, he again returned to the 101st Airborne, as a brigade executive officer for a 7,000man brigade task force. “As a field-grade officer, major and lieutenant colonel, I was able to spend about six years in the 101st, which was unheard of. Normally you’d spend two years and then you’re gone.” Even when Lier soon got the call that he needed to move posts, he leveraged his decision to single-track as a military comptroller to extend his time in the 101st Airborne in that role, as comptroller

for the entire installation. He was next tapped for operations officer in Central America, running a joint task force operation called Joint Task Force Bravo, spending eight months in Honduras and throughout Central America coordinating medical training and exercises, counter-drug operations and relations with foreign governments. Following his time in Central America, Lier next served as part of a joint assignment at U.S. Southern Command in Miami, again as a comptroller. He was reassigned to Forces Command in Atlanta, Ga., after a year, handling money management for forces in Iraq. “It was there that I decided it was time to ‘hang up the cleats.’ After 22.5 years I decided it was time to retire” – in January 2005, ending a career Lier said he wouldn’t trade for the world. His best memories, he said, are of times spent with his fellow soldiers. “Our soldiers are a snapshot of our society. They come in all sizes and shapes, all genders, different ethnic and racial make-ups …

But when they join a unit, that unit is a family. Families look out for each other. And that’s what soldiers do,” Lier said. “When you’re out there and your canteen is empty, you know someone is going to say, ‘Here, I have an extra canteen, fill yours up.’ “The soldiers are what make it all worthwhile. It comes down to family.” Lier returned to the Florence area following retirement, and after a moment of “Now what do I do?” he decided to return to UNA to obtain his history/ teaching degree in secondary education. “History has always fascinated me. According to my son, it’s because I was there for most of it,” Lier joked. He also qualified as JROTC instructor – and that was when the position at Russellville High School came open. He started at RHS in 2009. A variety of opportunities are available to RHS JROTC students, like service learning projects, field trips to military sites, JROTC summer camp or serving in the Color Guard or drill team. They also

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advance through the ranks from freshman year to senior year, taking on increasing responsibilities as they are promoted. Lier works to instill civic-mindedness, leadership, responsibility, physical fitness and other positive character qualities in his cadets, along with teaching them about the military system and history and the U.S. government system. “My goal, in JROTC, is not to put anybody in the military service. That is not my job. I’m not a recruiter,” Lier said. “Our mission statement is pretty straightforward: the JROTC mission statement is ‘to motivate young people to be better citizens.’ “We use a military format because it’s proven that it works.” Lier is married to Rhonda, who recently retired as an RCS schoolteacher, and he has three children: Zachary, 30, Christopher, 27, and Erin, 22.

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FOOD

Cooking with Sam Recipes by SAM WARF

Creamy Classic Pimiento Cheese 6 oz. extra-sharp orange cheddar cheese 6 oz. sharp white cheddar cheese 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 (4 oz.) jar diced pimientos, drained and rinsed 2 green onions, minced 2 tsp. Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1/4 tsp. ground red pepper 1/4 tsp. freshly-ground black pepper Crackers or fresh cut vegetables 1. Grate orange cheddar using the large holes of a box grater. Stir together mayonnaise and next six ingredients. Stir in both cheeses until well blended. 2. Serve immediately or cover and chill up to three days. Serve with crackers or fresh cut vegetables.

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Chicken Salad with Grapes, Honey, Almonds and Apples 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 6 (4 oz.) chicken cutlets 1 1/2 cups seasoned breadcrumbs 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 2 tbsp. honey 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 1/4 tsp. freshly-ground black pepper 1/2 cup olive oil 1 (5 oz.) package spring lettuce mix 2 cups apples, diced 1/2 cup halved seedless red grapes 1/2 cup halved seedless green grapes 1/2 cup sliced honey-roasted almonds 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Whisk together eggs and 3 tbsp. water in a small bowl. Dip chicken in egg mixture and dredge in breadcrumbs, pressing firmly to adhere. Place on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Bake 15 minutes or until chicken is brown and done. 2. Meanwhile, whisk together vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper and olive oil. Toss together lettuce, broccoli, red grapes and green grapes; season with salt and pepper. Top with chicken and sliced almonds; serve with vinaigrette. Serve on a couple of lettuce leaves.

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Speedy Homemade Mac and Cheese 1/4 cup plus 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, divided 1 qt. milk 6 tbsp. butter, cut into pieces 6 tbsp. all-purpose flour 1 lb. pasta (such as penne or rotini) 1 (8 oz.) package shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese 1 (8 oz.) package shredded Monterey Jack cheese 1 tsp. hot sauce 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1 1/2 cups panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) 2 tsp. olive oil 1. Preheat broiler with oven rack 8-9 inches from heat. 2. Bring 1/4 cup salt and 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large covered Dutch oven over high heat.

3. Meanwhile, microwave milk in a microwave-safe 1-quart glass measuring cup covered with plastic wrap on high for three minutes. While milk is heating, melt butter in a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; add flour and cook, whisking constantly, for two minutes. Gradually whisk in hot milk. Increase heat to medium high, and bring to a low boil, whisking often. 4. Add pasta to boiling water and cook eight minutes. 5. Meanwhile, continue to cook sauce, whisking often for six minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in cheeses, hot sauce, 1 1/2 tsp. of salt, and 1/2 tsp. of pepper. Cover. 6. Stir together panko and olive oil. 7. Drain pasta and fold into cheese sauce. Sprinkle with panko mixture. 8. Broil 1-2 minutes or until breadcrumbs are golden brown.

Mushroom Stroganoff 1 (8 oz.) package egg noodles 1 tbsp. olive oil 2 tbsp. butter, divided 2 (8 oz.) packages sliced cremini mushrooms 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 fresh thyme sprigs 1 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika 1 tsp. kosher salt 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups chicken broth 1 cup sour cream 1 tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 1. Cook egg noodles according to package directions. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm. 2. Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp. butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook five minutes. Stir in garlic and next four ingredients and cook,

stirring occasionally, for five minutes or until mushrooms are slightly browned. 3. Add flour and remaining butter and cook, stirring constantly, for two minutes. Whisk in broth and bring to a boil, whisking constantly for about five minutes. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream and parsley. Serve over noodles.

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‘Neath the Red, White and Blue American Legion maintains Old Glory Drop Box for flag disposal Story and photos by ALISON JAMES

n front of the Franklin County Courthouse stands a blue box that still bears a strong resemblance to its former role as a United States Postal Service mailbox. Since 2009, however, it has served as a receptacle for something besides letters and small packages: a collection bin for worn American flags. The Old Glory Drop Box, as it’s called, is accessible to anyone who wishes to dispose of a damaged American flag. The box – and the deposited flags – are cared for by Russellville’s American Legion Post 64. It was originally conceived of by James Wilson, a Vietnam veteran who was thencommander of the local Post. “He was instrumental in keeping the American Legion alive, and the flag was very important to him,” said Legion member Gary Hester. Present-day Commander Grant Atkins remembers well the origins of the drop box and the lengths Wilson went to in order to implement it. “He got an old box from the post office, and we sand-blasted it, and he painted it,” Atkins explained. That was around 2009. The average courthouse visitor might not pay much attention to the drop box, but those who do likely have taken notice that the box recently underwent a makeover. In winter 2016, Atkins said, some Legion members pointed out that the box was looking a little shabby. The time and the elements had not been kind to the box. So Legion members rallied to restore the box to its former glory, the project spearheaded

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Barry Moore, Commander Grant Atkins, Harry Upton, Gary Hester and Johnny Pounders are a few of the veteran members of FRRANKLIN AAN N KKLLIN IN LIV IVING VING IN NG 64. American Legion Post

American Legion members periodically respectfully burn flags that have been desposited in the Old Glory Drop Box.

by Hester and Johnny Pounders and accomplished using TVA in-lieu-of-tax grant funds. Freddie Mills Body Shop took on the paint job, and Gault Signs created the lettering and other decals, and today the box is good-as-new – or better. American Legion members based their design on the aesthetic of a similar box in another city and modified it for Franklin County/Russellville. Defining features include the American Legion seal and a dedication in memory of Wilson, who passed away in 2013. A continuing problem for the Legion is that people persist in using the drop box as a mailbox. One time, Atkins even thought someone had left the group a donation in the box – only to find that it was someone’s rent payment. Atkins said the Post makes every effort to send mail along through proper channels, but he implored the community to remember that the box is not for mail but for flags only.

FRANKLIN LIVING

4 U.S. Code § 8 – Respect for flag “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”

Atkins said many flags are deposited in the box each year, and the American Legion will, every so often, destroy the worn-out flags by burning them in a dignified manner. “As flags get tattered, according to U.S. code and just out of respect, we don’t need to throw a flag away just like you would a rag,” Atkins said. Russellville Boy Scout Troop #39 often assists the Post in respectfully burning flags that are deposited in the Old Glory Drop Box.

Staying busy in Russellville

n Russellville, American Legion Post 64 is an active group with about 50 members. The Legion meets the second Thursday of each month at the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce to share a meal and fellowship together. In addition to maintain the flag collection box and respectfully burning the flags that are dropped in the box, the Legion is involved in several other annual events. The Legion annually hosts the Veterans Day parade in downtown Russellville, with veterans invited to participate riding in antique cars or military vehicles. Russellville Marching Hundred band also participates in the parade, and post commander Grant Atkins said the Legion would love to have other county schools’ bands march, as well. Each year, the Legion sponsors two Russellville High School students to attend Alabama Girls State and Alabama Boys State on the campus of the University of Alabama. Also at RHS, the baseball team sometimes participates in American Legion baseball. The Post is open to all veterans.

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FACES OF FRANKLIN COUNTY The Franklin County 4-H program has been hosting Summer Fun Shops through June and July. The theme for June 27 was “America the Beautiful,” for which children learned about colonial life and showed their patriotism by creating American flags.

Photos by ALISON JAMES

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FACES OF FRANKLIN COUNTY

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LOOKING BACK

Looking back photos courtesy of the Franklin County Archives.

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LOOKING BACK

Looking back photos courtesy of the Franklin County Archives.

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PARTING SHOT

“There are those, I know, who will say that the liberation of humanity, the freedom of man and mind, is nothing but a dream. They are right. It is the American dream.” ~Archibald MacLeish 30

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TifÀn Motor Homes

105 Second Street NW • Red Bay, AL 256-356-8661 TifÀn employee Amanda Young, in the warranty retail ofÀce, is in her Àfth year of working at TifÀn Motorhomes. The Red Bay native said she “absolutely loves it.” “I like talking to people, and I get to talk to a lot of different people,” Young said. “I love everything about it.” Young interacts with dealers, lining up their warranty claims for payment, and assists in handling recalls. She also works with customers, reimbursing out-of-pocket expenses for repairs on warrantied items. “I do a lot of reports, like on how many claims we receive in a given day or how much money we pay out in a week,” Young said. Young came to TifÀn in 2011 after working as a receptionist at a local physician’s ofÀce – where she still works part-time a couple evenings a week. The 1998 Red Bay High School graduate earned her degree in ofÀce administration from Bevill State Community College, graduating in 2002. She said every day at TifÀn is different – and always busy. Her mornings start at 7 a.m. with gathering claims from a given date to process throughout the day – counting, alphabetizing, notating and distributing them. As her day progresses her work is heavily focused in phone- and computer-based communication. “We’re even trying to get electronic Àling up and going, so I’ve been the main person handling that,” Young said. “We’re trying to get that up and

Amanda Young going so our dealers can submit claims online.” The way Young sees it, she works for “a great company.” “Mr. TifÀn is the best. He’s oneof-a-kind,” Young said. “He’s really good to work for. He’s all about taking care of his customers – that’s very important to him. He stands behind his products, and he wants those custom-

ers taken care of. If you purchase his product, he wants to make sure you’re satisÀed and taken care of.” She also enjoys working with immediate boss Liz Jones. Outside of work, Young enjoys traveling, supporting her nieces’ and nephews’ sporting events and cheering for the Mississippi Bulldogs. “Anytime I can go to Starkville, I’m there.”

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