Alabama man thanks a veteran in Maynard by mowing his lawn

The article below recently ran on the WickedLocal-Maynard webpage, 5/24/19. 

“He has become a legend of sorts and on May 24, Rodney Smith Jr., an Alabama man who has been touring the United States with his mower – G.I. Moe – to show his appreciation for veterans, made his way to Maynard.

While he was in town he mowed the lawn of James Marshall in Maynard.

Smith started the Thank You tour on May 5 and according to his website, www.thankyouforyourservicetour.com, he has committed to mowing one to two lawns in each state for military veterans to thank them for their service.

After each visit, he presents the veteran with a framed thank you letter that he wrote, along with a custom-made “thank you” T-shirt, that he designed.

“I am doing this tour,” he wrote, “because I want our veterans to know they are appreciated. We need to give veterans who have honorably served this country ‘their flowers while they are alive.’”

After he mows the lawn, he sits down with each veteran to talk with them about their time in the service.

Marshall served in the U.S. Marine Corp. during the Korean War.

Smith’s goal is to encourage everyone to do more for veterans.

He is the founder of Raising Men Lawn Care Service, an organization that promotes awareness for young people, encouraging them to give back to the community.

As part of this, Raising Men has issued a 50-year challenge, which challenges young people to cut 50 lawns for free for the elderly, disabled, single mothers and veterans in their towns.

To accept the challenge, send a photo of you holding a sign saying “I accept the 50 Yard Challenge,” and in return, Raising Men will send you a white RMLCS shirt, shades and ear protection to get you started. For every 10 lawns cut, you will get a new color shirt.

For information visit weareraisingmen.com.”