A few days after we published Jeremy Baumhower’s March 23 column “Magical, mighty Myles,” I was connected to Dean Pickett, the general manager at the Maumee Cracker Barrel. That was where Myles found $20 and “paid it forward” to Lt. Col. Frank Dailey, inspiring nationwide coverage for his generosity. Dean wanted a copy of Baumhower’s story so he could hang it above his fireplace at the Cracker Barrel.
So on March 28, Toledo Free Press senior sales representative Renee Bergmooser and I drove to Maumee for lunch and to deliver the copies. When we arrived, the young lady seating people asked if we were the “newspaper people.” I told her we were and she then said, “Myles and his family are here; would you like to sit near them?”
Of course we said yes and an amazing lunch ensued. We visited with Myles, Tiffany Eckert (Myles’ mom), Marlee Eckert (Myles’ older sister) and Lt. Col. Dailey’s family as well as Dean Pickett.
It was a great discussion as Myles showed off all the stuff he had after returning that morning from Dallas where he met with former President George W. Bush. There were baseballs, books and other memorabilia. I noticed Myles coloring with White House crayons and Tiffany said, “That is the only thing I am letting him play with out of all this stuff!”
We took pictures and had a grand time. But we also talked about the cover story Toledo Free Press published on Sgt. Andy Eckert, Myles’ father, after he died. It was June 8, 2005, in a story titled “Legacy.” The picture on the cover was of Sgt. Eckert. Inside were photos of his young daughter Marlee and a picture of Sgt. Eckert holding his newborn son Myles. The fact that a $20 bill could bring Tiffany Eckert and her family and the Toledo Free Press back together after these many years, this time with a joyful story, makes what we do so enjoyable.
Good things happen in this town all the time and we are very proud to bring them to you. We have tough times in this business and sometimes have to tell sad and scary stories. Meeting Myles reminded me that we can also play a role in spreading great, inspiring news.
