Moments Like This by Geoffrey Talkington

Posted on 05. May, 2009 by geoffrey in Participant Blogs

Geoffrey Talkington, HEAT Program Participant

Henry was thrilled to find out that Joe and I were combat vets from OIF. We were in Alamosa, Colorado doing energy audits for low income residents, as part of the Veterans Green Jobs Academy’s ‘first wave’ cadre of HEAT (Home Energy Audit Training) professionals.

Henry served his country with the US Air Force during the “Cold War”; and has since become disabled by being run over by a drunk driver. He has waited patiently for assistance ever since. You see, he has just bought an old, not-so-mobile home, and is trying to make it better for his teenage daughter and himself.
Henry is a good neighbor, making small improvements were possible, yet his disability challenges him.

The amount of Tier 1 energy improvements we installed has greatly boosted his morale, and will save him money on his subsequent Xcel energy bills. I went over his recent bill with him, as I like to do, because no one has ever stopped to do this for him.

It felt good to help him reduce his energy demand, but more importantly I felt honored to have made an instant friend when Henry sat back, smiled, and said: “Thank you for serving over there. You served so my daughter doesn’t have to.” The bottom line is that we are making a difference, and it is rewarding to connect in such a profound way!