Greetings from Scotts Bluff National Monument

May I Salute You?

Thank You Note to National Park People

Dear National Park People

May I salute you? I know that this is a particularly challenging season of service for you, and while mine is certainly not the only voice crying in the wilderness to acknowledge that and may even ring a bit hollow in the short view, the option of silence is just not viable to me. So here we are.

I’m a card-carrying property owner and cherish our parks, monuments, historic sites and recreation areas. Thank you for making them available to us. In fact, for decades it has been my practice to express my gratitude when I’ve either coincidentally met or deliberately sought you in our visits—all of you: law enforcement and interpretive rangers, maintenance and administrative personnel, volunteers and entry gate staff.

Yes, I am indeed one of those geeky tourons that stare with dislocated jaws at The Canyon, geysers, hoodoos, mountain tops, caverns and battlefield cannons, but I swear I have never, ever, asked you where the nearest bathroom was. When I see the looks on the faces of the kids to who you are leading in the Junior Ranger pledge, I cheer for you at least as much as I do for them. And, while I have been known to ask The SCARANO MAY I SALUTE YOU? Page TWO

Question you’ve known was coming during one of your excellent campfire talks, I assure you that I have never asked you a question that you knew I already knew the answer to. By the way, how is it that you are always able to act like I’m the first person who ever asked those things?

All that said, I do hope you remember the two things I’ve told you, even though I sort of joked about quizzing you on your memory if we were to meet again. First, THANK YOU. However poor a supplement to your “sunset pay” it is, please do remember my gratitude. Second, I really do feel like I am in fact a property owner and with that credential demand that you continue your worthy, noble, and often courageous work for the sake of our grandkids. We are counting on you. Will you do that, please?

I’ve been gifted by the friendship of several of your deceased, active duty, and retired fellow National Park Service employees and volunteers. Through them I’ve learned that you protect the parks from the people, the people from the parks, and the people from each other. When I have had this conversation with your people over the years the collective response by several hundred of you looked like this: “Nobody has ever said that to me before. Tears well up (theirs and mine). I needed to hear that today. Well, this is what we do. It’s all about your grandkids. I love this place.”

SCARANO May I Saltue You? Page THREE

Well, Ranger, these days I’m particularly reminded of the restorative power inherent in our wonderful national properties and you folks who serve us in them, and I believe confidentally that we need them, need you, desperately perhaps. We need knowing that they are there on the map, whether or not we have immediate plans or ability to get to them in the flesh.

I confess to violating the rule about taking only photographs and leaving only footprints. The fact is, the memories, sights, sounds (or lack of them) and smells have gone home with me and have become part of the geography of my life. If walking off with those treasures is a crime, I suppose that you Park people are abettors. May I salute you for being partners in it?

Remember those two things I told you. OK?

                                -  -  -  -   e  n  d   -  -  -  -

BIO: An Eagle Scout and former Marine Corps officer, after retiring from a 30 year career as a police officer, Steve Scarano is starting his 19th season as a Trail Angel on the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail and is in his 20th year as a volunteer Trail Patroller and Dust Devil with a large San Diego area regional park.

Sincerely,
Steve

Scotts Bluff National Monument

In the great plains of Nebraska, 800 feet above the North Platte River, Scott’s Bluff stands tall, as it did when the Americans pioneers traveled in their covered wagons towards the promise of the west.

State(s): Nebraska

Established: 1919

“See above”

National parks represent the best of America. Why do you care about protecting and preserving them? Tell us why parks matter to you!

{{ active ? "Cancel" : "Begin"}}

Success! Thanks for sharing your story with us.

You’ll be notified by email when your story is approved and added to the collection on the My Park Story homepage.

In the meantime, you can share your own story page with your family and friends — and help us spread the word about these priceless memories and priceless places!

Here’s your unique story page link:

{{ storyUrl }}

* indicates Required fields

Click to choose a file to upload

Submitting your story means that you agree to our Terms of Service

More Stories

  • Greetings from Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    Loved Cades Cove! Staff very helpful and dedicated!

  • Greetings from Arches National Park

    When our two girls were in high school we took a two week trip out to the beautiful National Parks of the Grand Circle. That trip has had lasting memories for our family and now they travel to NP across our country. This photo was one our daughter took last…

  • Greetings from Katmai National Park & Preserve

    I've never been to the park, but I've watched the bear webcam for years, and the rangers have been so informative. I never imagined I'd have the opportunity to see so many bears living out their best bear lives in such a beautiful natural environment. And, the rangers have added…

Donate

Preserve Our Parks

Make a tax-deductible gift today to provide a brighter future for our national parks and the millions of Americans who enjoy them.

Donate Now