29 Jul Megan: Do Unto Others
During our time in Imperial, Neb. Roland Harvesting experienced a “first” that we had hoped would never come.
One morning, Brandon went to the service truck to gather a few things to begin the daily maintenance work. Upon opening the door to the tool box, he was shocked to see that all of the tools were missing. After searching in the other compartments it was discovered that numerous wrenches, grease guns, impacts, sockets, gear pullers, and several other specialty tools had all been stolen sometime during the night. The service truck was parked in the farmer’s field almost 10 miles from town, essentially out in the middle of nowhere. We contacted the local law enforcement but experienced multiple hang-ups with the investigation.
It is so sad that after traveling for over 35 years from Texas to North Dakota that this is the first time we have ever encountered such a demoralizing act. The monetary loss is staggering but to have it happen in our home state is even more disheartening. The tools themselves can be replaced but it is the memories that were linked to them that are gone. Many of these tools were given to Dad as gifts from family members and us kids. Some of them he received from Grandpa Bob over 40 years ago. Countless hours of hard work by our harvesting business paid for the rest. As the thieves laid their hands on these tools do you think they understood or cared about the importance or significance of them? With greed consuming their thoughts, I doubt they even realized that without these tools, we cannot perform maintenance on machinery or fix breakdowns, ultimately crippling the effectiveness of our operation.
Harvesting is more than just a business to my family. It is our livelihood and with it comes a sense of pride. A hand shake is worth our word. Honesty is what we practice. And hard work is what we know. Being defied by selfish strangers has made us feel vulnerable. Our privacy was invaded and our trust in others shaken. However, as I’ve learned from Mom and Dad, you can’t think for others and you continue to do what is right. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
The service truck sits vacant as we scramble to replace tools to keep our harvesting operation running smoothly.
All Aboard Wheat Harvest™ is sponsored by High Plains Journal and New Holland Agriculture. Megan can be reached at megan@allaboardharvest.com.
Jerry
Posted at 08:40h, 29 JulyI think you’ve been VERY lucky. When I was on harvest crew 30 years ago we had theft problems more than once and had to replace tool sets etc. If you’ve made it this long I’d say you’ve been more lucky that the majority.
You give the thieves too much credit however. You suspect they don’t know how much you need the tools or how much you have invested in them emotionally. The truth is that they probably do know. They just don’t care.
Christi Meyer
Posted at 12:10h, 29 JulyIt breaks my heart to hear that this happened to you, especially in Nebraska. We owned a campground and always looked forward to our harvesters every year. I pray for the rest of your journey. May God bless you.
Ashley
Posted at 12:33h, 29 JulyJerry–I believe the point Megan was making is related to the lack of morality in our culture today. I’m sure she did her best to put a positive spin on an unfortunate situation. It’s no doubt that the crew has been “lucky” for all these years. However, don’t you find it even a little bit disheartening that right here in small town America we can’t trust each other? Instead we have to constantly protect ourselves from immoral, unmotivated individuals looking for the easy way out. While this behavior is not entirely surprising, it is sickening. Specifically to those of us who has been taught to work hard and respect other people and their property.
Jerry
Posted at 12:02h, 30 JulyWell sure. But I live in small-town USA as well. As populations increase, morals decrease. Even in small towns. My company has been broken into at least 4 times in the past 10 years and I live in a safe part of the state. Sad? Sure it is. News flash? Not at all. But leaving tools in the field unlocked is just asking for trouble anywhere. There’s no time machine. No going back to 1950.
Dean Wohlers
Posted at 13:52h, 29 JulyI’m sorry I just don’t have the words to describe how I feel. Low down people. So sorry.
Monte Waldron
Posted at 07:35h, 30 JulyHI You know I think this is a sign of the times, God Bless
Tom Stegmeier
Posted at 19:57h, 30 JulyMegan ,that bites, I would be off the wall,90% + of crime is always drug related , Low Lifes.
larry Rusco
Posted at 09:15h, 01 AugustSo sorry about your loss. Sad commentary on our times.