Our Jeep saved Our lives

[minnie61650]

This is a moving letter that I read in the Detroit Free Press entitled Our Jeep Saved Our Lives:

Thank you, thank you, for so many lifesavers
BY CATHY COLLISON • December 28, 2008

As I write this, I am looking out at a snowy scene straight from a holiday movie.


There's no place like home for the holidays, and I am especially grateful to be home this year after a harrowing experience that could have been far, far worse if not for people who care -- and cars by Chrysler.

As I plunge into our holiday movie DVDs, I can't help but feel a bit like Jimmy Stewart near the end of "It's a Wonderful Life," one of my favorites, as he runs out into the snow and sees that the "Pottersville" sign doesn't exist, the evil skinflint has not taken over the town, and Stewart, or George Bailey, is back in Bedford Falls.

"Hello, Bedford Falls!" he shouts with joy.

I did somewhat the same thing the other day, only it was, "Hello, Detroit!"

Never did Trumbull, Fort and then Jefferson Avenue look so good. I was home, with my son and daughter, after we'd survived the Sunday pileup on ice-covered I-94 in western Michigan. Our Jeep was one of more than 30 cars caught on the dangerous stretch in Berrien County, just east of the Indiana line.

We were among many holiday travelers heading home from Chicago, where I'd picked up my daughter, a University of Wisconsin senior.

Because of the winter weather, we had taken my husband's Jeep instead of my smaller Ford Escort station wagon. My husband stayed home, working, but my son, a University of Michigan freshman, came along to help with the driving.

When we were hit, I was behind the wheel. A minivan sent us spinning into a snow ditch. The back window shattered as we came to rest. Minutes later, we sat terrified as a skidding semi-truck slammed into us in the ditch.

Without going into too many details, I write this to express my thanks -- to my husband, Bill, who sent us off in his Jeep; to the Michigan State Police, from the officer who let us huddle in his car to all of the other troopers who so quickly and professionally summoned help and cleared the road. Another thanks to Hasse's towing for getting the Jeep out of that mess, and to my neighbor, good friend and walking buddy, Anne, who reminded me to take a cooler of water and fruit. I did, and we used it all.

To the American Red Cross angels who served up coffee and later brought sandwiches and snacks to the stranded travelers. To the owners of the closed-for-renovation Lake Breeze Motel, who opened up to accommodate travelers for the night as a blizzard raged.

But mostly, and especially, thanks to the engineers, designers and every single worker on the line at the Jefferson assembly plant who had a hand in the building of our Jeep Grand Cherokee, more than 12 years old but reliable and sturdy enough to save our three lives.


I am thankful that President George W. Bush approved the bridge loans for the American auto industry, but I'm also writing the folks in Washington to tell them to keep in mind that the people in Detroit should be the ones who create, make and build the cars we drive, who make the decisions on the next step. Whatever rules or requirements are set must not force our manufacturers to stop making the four-wheel-drive vehicles and rugged trucks and cars that people need in places such as Michigan, where snow, ice and who knows what else can confront travelers.

Our Jeep saved our lives. For that, we are so grateful. Hello, Detroit!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Wow

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

My DH loves his Jeep and I miss my old Buick which was a giant landyacht old lady car but I felt SO safe in it because it was a Detroit behemoth. I didn't feel as safe in the Barbie Car (which was totalled earlier this year) or when I'm driving my current car (a plasticated wagon type). The next car I own will be another Detroit behemoth, I think. Even if they a booger to park.