A Broader Perspective

The AHA’s updated guidelines cast a wider net when evaluating heart disease risk.

In addition to the traditional factors like cholesterol levels and blood pressure, they now consider a host of other factors, such as family history, race, and ethnicity. These adjustments provide a more comprehensive view of your risk.

Personalized Risk Assessment

One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to heart health. The AHA now places a strong emphasis on personalized risk assessment.

Your healthcare provider can tailor your assessment to your unique circumstances, offering a more precise prognosis and recommendations for prevention.

A Heart-Healthy Lifestyle Matters

The AHA’s guidelines underscore the pivotal role of lifestyle in preventing heart disease.

Healthy eating, regular physical activity, weight management, and stress reduction are pivotal factors. Adopting these changes can substantially lower your risk.

Open Dialogue with Your Healthcare Provider

Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider are more vital than ever.

Discuss your family history, risk factors, and health goals to receive personalized guidance and recommendations.

Early Intervention is Key

Identifying your risk early and acting upon it can significantly reduce the likelihood of heart disease. AHA’s revised guidelines provide a window of opportunity to take proactive steps in safeguarding your heart’s health.

In conclusion, the AHA’s updated guidelines are a game-changer in the fight against heart disease. Your heart health is now better understood and more manageable than ever before. Don’t wait; take charge of your heart’s wellbeing, stay informed, collaborate with your healthcare provider, and embrace a heart-healthy lifestyle. Your heart will thank you for it

The post Unveiling the American Heart Association’s Redefined Approach to Heart Disease Risk: Your Essential Guide appeared first on Relatively Interesting.

The vet put down her instruments and looked at the results again. She’d looked at them several times and the ultrasound confirmed it but in all her years as a vet, she had never encountered something like this.

She had a million questions but the only thing she was sure about was that this dog needed immediate attention.

Time To Decide

Credits

Chris and Mariesa had traveled to many different animal shelters to find a dog to adopt. They knew that out there was a perfect match for them but it was difficult. She had promised Chris that they would only adopt one dog, but when she saw the pregnant dog giving her a mournful look, she knew what she had to do.

Pregnant Belly

Credits

As soon as she saw them, the dog came closer and began licking their hands. Her belly, swollen with puppies, was huge and Mariesa knew that she deserved a proper loving home. There was no doubt that this was the dog that she and Chris would adopt but they had no idea what they were about to learn, and it would change everything.

Bred And Discarded

Credits

Chris and Mariesa would soon discover that being pregnant at a shelter wasn’t the only tragic part of the dog’s life. The Pitbull, named Storie, had been owned by someone who ran a backyard breeding business. However, when it became apparent how expensive housing, feeding, and caring for her and her pups would be, they opted to instead drop her at the shelter. Mariesa couldn’t help but cry as she listened to the tragic story.

A Good Home

Credits

The couple immediately knew that this dog deserved a proper home and that she should be given all the affection in the world, especially considering her past. It was obvious that the shelter was no place for a dog in her condition. They promptly adopted her in hopes of giving her a better life. However, a trip to the vet would change everything.

Pitbull Aficionados

Credits

As if things didn’t already seem perfect enough, Chris and Mariesa shared a love of Pitbulls. They had rescued several other Pitbulls in the past as they both loved the dog breed. In case you were wondering how many dogs they currently have no less than 10 Pitbulls. You can see eight of them in this photo.

“Megabed”

Credits

It’s important for a dog to have a good bed but when you have as many dogs as Chris and Mariesa do, space becomes a problem. To solve this, Chris built a 7 feet wide and 14 feet long ‘megabed’ for the dogs. As he stated in an interview with TODAY: “At nighttime all of the dogs want to sleep on the bed and sometimes it becomes too cluttered, and we end up being pushed off of the bed or sleeping on the couch. So we built the megabed.”

Clueless

Credits

The couple loves the Pitbull breed and knows that there is more they can do for them as Pitbulls are a sadly misunderstood breed. There are very strict laws regarding owning Pitbulls. In fact, they are downright outlawed in some states. The couple naturally had a lot of experience with this breed of dog but even they weren’t ready for what was about to unfold.No one did.

Happy Family

Credits

Mariesa has admitted that she’s broken up with past partners because they simply didn’t understand her obsession with dogs, nor did they support her in it. Chris, however, not only understood and supported her dream, but he actually shared it with her.

Different

Credits

The couple’s shared love not only for each other but also for dogs seemed like a perfect match. Being together only saw their passion for dogs increasing. The couple adores our canine friends so it might seem strange that they’d think twice. So why did they?

Common Sight

Credits

Animal shelters worldwide have to deal with more than insufficient resources, however. Naturally ever shelter dreams of being able to care for all the animals they take in but reality isn’t that kind. When Chris and Mariesa visited Pibbles & More Animal Rescue, they were stunned by how many Pitbulls there were. They had no idea that one such Pitbull was about to change their lives forever.

Ill Repute

Credits

Sadly, Pitbulls have a terribly unkind reputation. Due to their stocky build and large heads, many consider them much more aggressive than they in fact are. This coupled with the strict laws about owning Pitbulls is one of the reasons why so many end up in the shelters.

Attached Stigma

Credits

The stigma surrounding these dogs was nothing new to the couple. They knew the truth about these dogs. As a result they had adopted numerous Pitbulls in the past as their means and resources allowed. They had never seen anything in their own dogs to warrant their bad reputation. They could never have expected what fate had in store.

Loyal And Gentle

Credits

Despite what many believe, studies have found no proof to support the bad reputation. As with any other breed it all comes down to how the animal was treated. Pitbulls are no more predisposed to being aggressive than say a labrador. However, Storie was about to change everything they thought they knew and understood about Pitbulls.

Past Due

Credits

While filling out the forms to adopt Storie, the staff told the couple that she was very close to giving birth. In fact, she was actually overdue already. No one could explain why she hadn’t given birth yet despite how clearly she was ready to. It was a complicated situation that no one really understood.

Life-Saving Choice

Credits

Knowing how serious this situation could be, the couple knew that they might be forced into a literal life or death choice for the dog and her unborn puppies. It was a big decision and the couple knew that they couldn’t rush it,. However, there wasn’t really any time to do so. The stakes also made it worse.

Helping

Credits

Even though time was of the essence, the couple knew that they had to discuss things for a moment. They couldn’t rush in blindly but they also couldn’t stand idly by. While they were discussing things, Storie did something that made the decision for them. She quietly walked over to the couple and placed her head on Mariesa’s knee and looked mournfully at her.

Happy Family

Credits

As happy as she was to bring Storie home, Mariesa knew things were very complicated. It not only meant adding one more member to their family. It potentially meant more. As much difficulty as Mariesa was having with the situation, news lay around the corner. News that changed things even more.

The Perfect Solution

Credits

Even though they were aware that keeping Storie would mean taking care of an additional 10 dogs, they did not want the pregnant dog momma to be at the shelter for longer than she needs to be. Mariesa wanted to help Storie and give her a safe space to deliver the pups.

An Idea

Credits

The couple started to talk about it and weighed the pros and cons of bringing home Storie. Without a doubt, it was not a practical idea. However, Chris suggested something that made perfect sense for the situation at hand. It sure seemed like their best bet, both for their family and for Storie and the pups.

Foster Parents

Credits

He suggested that they would foster Storie and her puppies. However, this was only going to be temporary as the animal rescue team would then look for their forever homes. This was a good idea since they could not afford to keep more pets with their eight other dogs.

Another Problem

Credits

The suggestion was a brilliant one, but the problems did not end there. They still had to find out what was wrong with the pregnancy. What was the reason Storie had not yet give birth even though she was close to bursting? This was the next thing they had to tackle. They needed to give the pregnancy the attention it deserved.

Looking For Answers Online

Credits

This was the first time they have ever encountered anything like this. There must be some reason Storie was unable or unwilling to give birth to the babies. Chris and Mariesa had been worrying about it, so they decided to go to the internet and look for a way to address the issue. Did they find anything of relevance over there?

Terrifying

Credits

Unfortunately, they did not find a lot of reassuring things online. In fact, they came out even more worried about the situation! Well, this is normally what happens when you look for answers online. Chris and Marie felt even more anxious about the whole thing.

Relationship Between Trauma And Birth

Credits

Humans have a tendency to underestimate just how intelligent most animals actually are. When Mariesa and Chris started to look for answers, they found out why a dog might resist the delivery of her puppies. They even found a source that seemed to perfectly describe what was happening.

Stressful Conditions

Credits

What did they learn? Research showed that animals often experience a lot of stress and even trauma when they live in rescue shelters. Of course, pregnant dogs are more vulnerable to this. While shelters have the intention of helping animals in need, they get crowded quickly. A crowded place is not the best environment for a pregnant dog. A loving home such as Chris and Mariesa’s can make a big difference.

Realizing How Dangerous The Situation Is

Credits

Chris and Mariesa started to read up about the matter some more and realize things could escalate further. There was a possibility that Storie would lose her puppies. Not only that, but she might also lose her life! They certainly had no idea how bad thing were. Can you believe that this is not all?

Traumatic Experiences

Credits

Mariesa found out that pregnant dogs experiencing trauma get so worried about the pups that they could choose to refuse delivery completely. This situation happens since they are under the impression that the babies would be at risk…

Off To The Vet

Credits

Chris and Mariesa were able to tell that this was a precarious situation. They had to bring the pregnant pooch to the vet as soon as they could. This was important if they wanted to ensure the safety of the babies. They popped back in the car and drove to the nearest vet.

What The Ultrasound Showed

Credits

The vet conducted an ultrasound scan on the dog, but she saw unbelievable results. She shook her head. How could this even be possible? There must have been some kind of mistake, one way or another!

Something Isn’t Right

Credits

However, nothing about the results changed or disappeared, not the shapes nor the numbers… It was true. What she saw there would change things for the couple and the others involved. Then, Mariesa picked up on the fact that something was not right. What was it now?

The Shock Of A Lifetime

Credits

The veterinarian took a deep breath before she delivered the news. She went into an explanation of the abnormality she found in Storie’s womb. They had been expecting to see six puppies, but this did not align with the ultrasound results.

Frozen In Shock

Credits

The vet pointed to the outlines and then counted them for the couple. Chris and Mariesa then figured out what was happening. They were now in shock as well. They were told that Storie would have six puppies, but the ultrasound revealed that this was not true. What exactly was going on?

A Development No One Expected

Credits

The vet did not expect this either. She tried to count again. After this, she gave it another round. The results were always the same. At last, she figured out there was no choice but to tell them what it was…

Unexpected

Credits

Chris and Mariesa had been expecting six puppies, but the vet knew this was wrong. The pregnant dog was carrying not six puppies but twelve! Yes, that is twice the number of dogs they were expecting. At any rate, Storie had TWELVE puppies in her womb. How were they going to solve this mess?

Disbelief

Credits

The lovebirds could not believe what they just heard. How could this happen? Six dogs already sounded like too much but twelve? Clearly, the problem was even more serious than they originally thought. Was Storie going to be okay? Was she going to deliver all twelve of her babies? Let us find out.

Go Home And Wait

Credits

Even the vet had no idea why Storie had yet to give birth to her large litter of puppies. At the very least, the ultrasounds showed her that the puppies were all fine. What a relief! What was next for them?

Preparation

Credits

The vet said that the best thing they could do was head home and get ready for the birth. If Storie still had not given birth after 48 hours, they should return for yet another examination. Chris and Mariesa did not know it at the time, but Storie actually had a great reason to wait.

The Parents Are Anxious

Credits

You can probably imagine how stressed Chris and Mariesa had been at that moment. Storie was not only in danger of losing six babies but a dozen of these babies. They could not help but feel anxious about the following 48 hours. Was Storie going to be all right if she failed to deliver the pups in that timeframe?

A Brilliant Idea

Credits

It is easy to see that this was a dangerous and terrible situation at the same time. However, there seemed to be nothing they could do for Storie. The only thing left to do was make her feel at home. When they went home, Mariesa came up with a clever plan.

Giving Her A Space Of Her Own

Credits

By that point, Chris and Mariesa already went through a lot of articles about trauma and stress. They knew how hard things have been on Storie. They tried to help her by giving her a very inviting space. Mariesa chose a spot in a spare bedroom. She even placed pillows and blankets for the dog.

Sanctuary

Credits

After that, they showed Storie her new sanctuary and prayed for the best. Chris and Mariesa gave it their all because they wanted to make it just right for the pooch. They even kept track of the room temperature and noise level in there.

Oblivious

Credits

The couple did not know that something incredible was going to happen there. The two of them headed of to bed for the night and then went to see how Storie was doing upon waking up. They wanted to see if she was feeling better and more comfortable.

Extraordinary

Credits

As Mariesa and Chris headed to the room where they left the pit bull, they could hear some curious noises. They hurried and entered the bedroom. They did not expect to see what they laid their eyes on!

During The Night

Credits

They entered the spare bedroom. Much to their delight, they found Storie in there with her 12 adorable puppies! She was able to deliver them all while the two of them slept. What an incredible sight it was.

Thrilled

Credits

Mariesa and Chris were reduced to tears by what they saw. Who would have thought Storie was finally going to deliver the pups? They were thrilled. Soon enough, they learned just why she waited so long.

A Dozen Puppies

Credits

When dogs give birth to puppies at the shelter, it often becomes stressful for both the mom and babies. Storie was somehow aware that the shelter was not a good place for anyone to give birth in an environment like that one. This is the reason she decided to wait for someone like Chris and Mariesa.

Less Than A Day

Credits

Isn’t it incredible that Storie only had to spend one whole day, even less, with Chris and Mariesa to feel comfortable around them? She was so at home she even delivered her litter of puppies! What made it even more special was the fact that no one understands what was going on. Good job, Storie!

A Great Dog Mama

Credits

Storie was great when it came to looking after the puppies. Well, what else did you expect from the best dog mother in the entire world? It did not take long before people started to file adoption cases for the dogs. The couple already knew that they would not get to keep the puppies for a long time. Was Storie going to be okay with letting the puppies go?

Puppies For Adoption

Credits

After several weeks, the puppies finally opened their eyes. Mariesa and Chris had been enjoying the time they had with the litter of puppies. The babies took over the yard and goofed around with one another. You know what puppies are like! Storie was happy to have all of her pups with her. Sadly, the time came for them to say goodbye…

Waiting For A Little TLC

Credits

When Storie was taken to a good and secure environment, she was able to let her body do the work and deliver the puppies. This was how she got to welcome the puppies, all twelve of them. However, what was next for her and the babies? Let us find out.

A Pack Of Her Own

Credits

It seems like Storie knew just what she needed to give birth to her babies. All she wanted was the feeling of protection and security! The foster couple managed to give her these things, which was how she birthed her twelve strong puppies. She sure is one smart dog.

Heading For Their New Homes

Credits

It is impressive to hear that they managed to find foster parents willing to adopt the puppies when they were 10 weeks old. Chris and Mariesa might have adored the babies, but they simply did not have the means to keep them. They had to give them up for adoption, sadly. It was a heartbreaking moment, but it was the right thing to do.

10 Weeks Old

Credits

When they were 10 weeks old, the puppies were brought to their new homes. We’re glad to hear that, but what would become of Storie? The puppies were all in good hands now, but what about their mother? After risking her life for her children, this wonderful mother deserves only the best.

Her Forever Home

Credits

It is not all that surprising to hear that the story went viral when it was posted on Facebook. The inspiring story of Storie reached someone who fell in love with her right away. This man then contacted Chris and Mariesa to schedule an appointment. He wanted to meet this lovely dog and then see from there. What did he have to say?

They All Found Homes!

Credits

He ended up loving Storie even more and decided to take her with him! Storie has, at long last, made her way to her forever home. She and the rest of the puppies were then taken to their amazing homes. Not only that, but she also got spayed to prevent any more massive pregnancies. Let us hope she never has to go through anything like that ever again!

The Best Dog Mom

Credits

Even though Storie gave birth to a large number of puppies, she still remembered to give them the attention and love they deserved. When she was still with them, she was the image of a perfect mom. Aren’t you excited to hear such a lovely thing?

The End Was Nearing

Credits

Chris and Mariesa were both happy and proud to see Storie accomplish such a big feat. She even cleaned and nursed the puppies while she waited for them to reach a good health status. Sadly, the couple did not have much more time with them…

If Not For Them

Credits

The twelve pups all went to loving houses they now get to call their forever homes. They are glad this is the case because they will never run out of love and affection now. Storie stayed with Chris and Mariesa until each of the puppies were taken. Her maternal instincts are still as bright as can be.

A Crucial Chance

Credits

If Mariesa and Chris failed to take a chance on her, some very terrible things would have happened to her and the babies. We are happy that they took a chance on the incredibly pregnant dog they found in the crowded animal shelter. Otherwise, things would have gotten a much sadder ending. Whew!

A Happy Note

Credits

Even though the story of Storie had a happily ever after, there are so many dogs out there who will never get to find a forever home. Shelters typically need plenty of help to take good care of the animals. If you are unable to foster a dog for some reason, you can do more by checking out your other options.

Helping Out

Credits

Of course, it is always a good idea to take in a new dog if you can. However, you can opt to donate money or spread the word about the shelter or rescue home. These might sound like little things, but they will go a long way to help the people who work in the shelters.

The Mr. Mo Project

Credits

Mariesa and Chris are the founders of a nonprofit organization that looks after elderly and sick dogs. It is called the Mr. Mo Project. The dogs that fall under these categories have a high risk of euthanasia, so the couple wants to look for places they could call their forever homes. The project also takes care of medical and living expenses. The “fospice” homes, meanwhile, provide care and love.

A Family Affair

Credits

If you can adopt or foster dogs, you should always keep this story in mind. There is no need to fret if you do not think you have enough bed space for all the dogs you want to adopt. Should that ever happen, try to follow in the footsteps of Mariesa and Chris. Although the average king bed measures 6.6 feet long, theirs is nearly double that! This is an option you might want to consider.

Happy Holidays!

Credits

By this point, you should know better than anyone how much Mariesa and Chris love dogs. You can even check out the Instagram account for ‘The Mr. Mo Project’. On that account, they posted this photo with a caption that read, “Happy Easter and Passover from our dog house to yours #happyeaster #happypassover #lifeinthedoghouse #mrmoproject #gomrmo #18dogsandcounting #72paws #rescuelife #shelterdogs #rescuesdog #seniordogrescue #adoptdontshop #multidoghousehold #siblinggoals #squadgoals #packlife #easterbunnies #easterpictures #love #proudparents”.

The post Dog Refuses TO Give Birth, Then Vet Gives Owner News appeared first on Relatively Interesting.

The final verdict would come down with the judge’s hammer. Then she could do nothing but watch her victory slip between her fingers.

She and her coach were in disbelief. She had trained so hard and now it was for nothing. She couldn’t help what happened yet she was disqualified all the same. Her suit looked like everyone else’s.

Born To Swim

Instagram @alaska_peak_performance

No one loved the water more than Breckynn Willis. She couldn’t go a day without taking a plunge into the pool and training.

Even at the young age of 17 Willis already had big dreams of getting a scholarship and eventually a shot at the Olympics. So she competed in any competitions she could. But she had no idea that it would eventually end in disaster.

Unknown Stares

Credit

The stands by the pool were packed full of guests and staff excited to see the competition in the indoor that room smelled of chlorine.

She loved the exhilaration that came when her name was called out to do what she did best – the 100-meter freestyle. But one judge was looking at her a little too closely.

Perfect Execution

Marca

As she heard the whistle she knew it was her time. Every part of her body was ready for what came next. It was a natural reflex for her.

She did it perfectly, or so she thought. She resurfaced at the end of the pool and pulled herself out and dried herself off with a towel.

Immediate Disqualification

KTUU

“Breckynn Willis of Diamond High School is disqualified.”

She couldn’t believe what she had just heard. The words rang out in her mind. Was this really happening? She looked to her coach for answers but he seemed as dumbfounded as her.

Heated Argument

Dewayne Ingram/KTUU

Lauren Langly, her coach, marched up to the referee with fire in her eyes.

She looked over at Breckynn, after the referee pointed at her she had to take a step back, what had been said to her? It was almost as if she had been slapped.

“You Can’t Be Serious?”

Pinterest

Breckynn then overhead, “You can’t be serious.” She knew what she had to do, she couldn’t just stand there and take it.

Something must have been wrong for her to be disqualified, but what was it? She wanted to hear the excuse they came up with. The real reason would leave her furious.

Getting Heated

JOLYN

The referee had words for her coach and she caught a lot of what they were saying. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She felt her face flush.

What made Breckynn’s face turn scarlet was overhearing, “The girl’s swimsuit was so far up I could see butt cheek touching butt cheek.’’ Her coach scowled at the judge, then they noticed her walking over.

Wardrobe Alterations

Getty

Lauren told Breckynn that they were leaving. But things would take an even stranger turn before the end of the day.

Apparently, the referee had decided to eliminate the student from the competition because she was showing too much skin and decided she had intentionally hiked up her suit to be more revealing. But, later, another reason would emerge.

Swimmer’s Problems

In Touch Weekly

Everyone else, including Breckynn, pointed out that every single girl wore the exact same suit.

There was also a reason for the skin. It’s called a “swimmer’s wedgie” and everyone gets them. Even regular swimmers know the feeling and know they are not comfortable. No one would do this intentionally. However, the real reason would soon come out.

Taking Action

KTUU

After the ruling, Coach Lauren Langford went to social media and lodged a formal complaint with the Alaska School Activities Association, too.

The answer, however, was just as bad as the original complaint. Breckynn, it turns out, was being specially targeted by the referee for a rather disgusting reason.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Jolynclothing

Not only was the girl curvier than the other teammates, but she was also of mixed-race heritage.

It might seem like something impossible to spot for most people, but when the details came to light, it was sadly believable. The facts ended up undisputable and caused a huge blast of outrage. Why?

Sister Experienced It Too

KTUU

Everyone was wearing standard uniform suits, two other girls looked very similar to her, and her 100m freestyle execution was excellent.

Her sister, and fellow swimmer, ended up the key to the situation. No other member of any team had been kicked out for appearance reasons, but she and her sister had. When they understood why everyone involved was furious.

Injustice

Anchorage Daily News

Coach Lauren Langford was seething when she spoke to KTUU: “The rest of her team was wearing the same uniform, and she was the only one disqualified. It is my opinion that she has been targeted and singled out over the course of the last year.”

The disqualification, according to referee Jill Blackstone, was due to a new “modesty rule,” but the truth was becoming clearer and clearer.

Singled Out

JOLYN

The new “modesty” rule had come with new, standard-issue swimsuits for every girl, but Breckynn had been singled out because Jill Blackstone, the referee, just hadn’t liked the way it looked on the girl’s fuller, curvier figure.

It was just as coach Langford had suspected, but it was her word against Blackford’s. But, what the referee didn’t know was that Lauren had proof.

School Swimming Scandal

Anchorage Daily News

Lauren wrote a blog post detailing the scandal. Soon, the truth would be out. The new “modesty” rules that were put in place at the school were solely for policing young girls’ bodies.

She believed the whole incident was an orchestrated campaign against Beckynn, her sister, and other girls of color. One terrible incident, in particular, was at the ugly heart of it all.

Policed

Courtesy of Dewayne Ingram

As a swim coach at another school within the district that regularly competes with Dimond High, I’ve watched this scandal divide my swimming community,” coach Langford wrote.

“It has caused my own athletes to be needlessly self-conscious about the appearance of their bodies, which preoccupies them just as much, if not more, than the quality of their performances. What’s clear is that these girls’ bodies are being policed — not their uniforms.”

Damning Accusation

JOLYN

“These young swimmers aren’t being punished for wearing their suits in scandalous or provocative ways,” her post continues, “but rather, because their ample hips, full chests, and dark complexions look different than their willowy, thin, and mostly pallid teammates. Some will argue this scandal has nothing to do with race.”

“…The issue becomes glaring when officials are overheard acknowledging that white athletes are baring too much skin as well, yet they’ve never been disqualified.” But that wasn’t all.

Unbelievable

YouTube – The Kelly Clarkson Show

Coach Langford detailed another incidence that had taken place within the year. Unbelievably, a parent had secretly taken photographs of Breckynn’s rear when she was wearing a swimsuit and had circulated them via email to other parents and teachers!

“Uniform violation!” the parent wrote, and later, someone overheard them saying “that for the sake of their sons, the mother of these young ladies should cover up her daughters.”

If You Don’t Like It, Don’t Look

YouTube – The Kelly Clarkson Show

Coach Langford concluded her post: “If you do not like the way that swimsuits fit on these girls’ bodies then don’t look; they are minors, children, and no one should be looking at them anyway. We cannot take back what has already unfolded but we can make sure it does not happen going forward.”

It wasn’t long before Coach Langford’s post went viral. Although the issue with the referee was under investigation, it wasn’t long before the Anchorage school district was forced to take a stance on the matter.

Going Public

YouTube – The Kelly Clarkson Show

Meanwhile, Beckynn was going public with the shocking story. The incident had reached the ears of Kelly Clarkson, who invited both the swimmer and her coach to appear on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

Everyone who saw the episode was disgusted, too, and some were quick to take to the comments section to point out the startling facts.

Outcry

YouTube – The Kelly Clarkson Show

“The thing that’s really frustrating is the more curvy a woman is, the more pressured she is to be “modest,” I mean come on folks. Is this really about being “modest” or body shaming cuz men can’t handle it??” One woman wrote.

“What’s worse is that the referee who made this call disqualifying her… was a WOMAN! Seriously? How can a woman do that to a girl? Stop body shaming females for being who they are!” another proclaimed. But would there be any justice?

Two Obvious Rules

Credit

The Association reversed the ruling and reinstated her points and title.

Then, there were two very strict reminders sent out to all staff and referees. First, there could be zero assumption about standard-issued suits – which in many opinions would have been obvious. Second, and most importantly…

Moving Forward

The Sun UK

It was professionally and personally inappropriate to judge a competitor based on their appearance – again, this should have been obvious. ut apparently, a few individuals needed a reminder.

There was no place for sexism, racism, or discrimination in their competitions. However, there was one silver lining to the entire ordeal.

Still Swimming

Facebook/Alaska Swimming News & Information

The media coverage had brought her skills into the spotlight.

She ended up receiving serval college offers and talks of scholarships. Not to mention, people started knowing her name around the swimming circuit (this time in a good way). The insane incident was over and she could finally focus on her dreams again.

The post Teen Disqualified Over Swimsuit Gets Last Laugh appeared first on Relatively Interesting.

The project at home was start as a harmless hobby.

He just thought that their house could do with a new patio and shrubbery. But after digging through some concrete, he found something tucked away in the foundation of his house that was clearly not meant to be found.

Procrastination

Rowand

David Olson knew that it was high time he fixed up his home in Michigan, he had always used an excuse to put it off but not anymore.

After one of his kids hurt themselves on the stairs he knew it was the final straw. He would tear down the front stairs and while he was at it he would build a porch.

Make It Fun

Public Domain

He knew that it would be worth it, a nice family porch for everyone to enjoy once it was built.

His children could contribute and bring him small loads in the wheelbarrow. But after digging into the foundation he saw something, after closer inspection, he saw beautiful blue and black colors swirling in the sun.

What’s This?

wzzm13

Was it some kind of weird rock? He would find out.

He tried to take it out of the foundation but clearly, it didn’t want to budge. What on earth was stuck in the foundations of his house?

Bowling Ball?!

Facebook / David Olson

They looked like old ten-pin bowling balls but didn’t have any finger holes that he could see.

But there was something even stranger that he was about to uncover. After finding it he would feel like he was some kind of archaeologist on the hunt for artifacts.

Not Stopping

Facebook / David Olson

He found another, then another, he couldn’t believe how many were underneath his house.

He decided he would get to the bottom of this and he dug a full two feet lower than he originally planned. There were 160 balls that he could find. But he hesitated after his daughter said something.

Good Question

Facebook / David Olson

“What’s inside them, Daddy?” This made David drop the one he was holding and look down.

It was a very good point, maybe they were stashed under the house because of the value inside them. He was now in too deep, he had to figure this out.

Reaching Out

Facebook / David Olson

The first clue that he found was the name on each ball. It seemed that there was a company name on each one.

And what’s more, there was a phone number on each of them too! He gave them a call and explained what he had found. After this, he got the answers he wanted.

Getting Answers

Facebook / David Olson

The company he called was Brunswick Bowling Products and they checked back on their records and then confirmed that he could break them open if he wanted.

He even got replies to his Facebook post about it and former employees left comments that gave him even more answers.

Let’s See!

Public Domain

David got his family to a safe location before bringing out his hammer and smashing the ball.

The hard outer shell made a satisfying crack as everyone laughed. But was inside was truly strange, billiard balls!

Clever Filler

Facebook / David Olson

He finally figured it out, the bowling balls were duds and had to be thrown out. But the workers decided to take them home instead.

The bowling balls ended up having a new purpose. The previous homeowner decided to use them for something clever. But with 160 balls what was he going to do? Then a local church had the answer.

Giving Them Away

Public Domain

For some odd reason, the local house of worship had a bowling ball cannon.

David had no idea what it was used for, but he was at least sure they would be used for something good. Next was his stepfather, who also turned out to be just as creative as he was great at DIY. This was even cooler!

Interesting Ideas

Facebook / David Olson

The plan was to use them for “feet” on his furniture projects. Finally, David would keep the rest.

He had a brilliant idea to spray paint them in some nice fake-rock texture and use them as borders for his gardens or for some sort of sculpture. Next was an amusing GoFundMe page.

Needing Money

Facebook / David Olson

“If you have funds to ‘Spare’ and would like to help me find another excavation please help my cause,” he wrote on Facebook.

“At this point, I could either let my story fade away into the past, or I could grab it by the ‘balls’ and continue the story and spread of positive vibes.”

Determined To Finish

AboveAllMasonary

All he wants is to finish the project he started, but with the potential for more of these pesky little orbs to be hidden under the entire house, he would need someone to come in and check … and help him clear them out.

Only then could he get the patio he promised his family.

The post His New House Was Hiding This In The Basement appeared first on Relatively Interesting.

While driving past an embankment in 2008 in Afghanistan while serving for his country, Joe would stumble into something more than just sinister.

Joe was among four men in the vehicle when the road crumbled beneath them and the car went plunging water below them. He then snapped out of the memory when he heard the judge before him clear his throat.

Clinging To Life

wbur

It was 2008 when Joe stepped into a heavily armored truck with three comrades. The doors were so armored they had to be opened and closed hydraulically.

The truck was going down a road right next to a river when the road suddenly wasn’t underneath them anymore. It rolling down the bank and into the river.

Trapped!

wbur

Joe recalls the memory, “The water starts rising and coming up to my head, I’m having trouble getting my seat belt off.” Luckily, his comrade was there to fish him out of his seatbelt, but they both realized that there was a much bigger problem at play, they were in a sinking tomb.

“The hydraulics [system] is knocked out, and we are fighting for these doors and fighting for these doors,” Joe remembers.

Unseen Danger

stripes

“You can’t see the water rising because it’s pitch black. You can feel the water rising. Pretty soon the water comes up to a point where it is up to our chin. Then I hear a gurgling sound.”

Joe then found out about the gas bottles that were leaking inside the truck. They had been damaged when the truck fell into the water. This means that amongst the water rising up their air was contaminated with gas.

A Waiting Game

stripes

Joe felt himself struggling to stay conscious as the cocktail of air and gas entered his lungs. He remembers how he felt, “I’d see these things that weren’t there, and I was hallucinating,”

“I thought I had died.” The minutes would feel like hours before anyone came to aid them.

Pulled From The Wreckage

ABC News

Joe remembers a team finding him and ripping him out of the wreckage. He remembers leaning on soldiers as they walked him up back onto the road.

He made the mistake of looking back at the truck where he saw an image that he would never forget. And I look to my left, and there are three people laying there.”

Sole Survivor

ABC News

He would never fully recover from the ordeal and said that he didn’t just lose comrades, but brothers. He would start to suffer from flashbacks after that.

He would randomly remember the night from anything as small as the smell of fuel. This would be followed by anxiety attacks and nightmares. He never even wanted to talk about that day.

A Difficult Adjustment

ABC News

On top of that, Joe knew that adjusting to a normal life after his service would be hard. But with everything going on no one would ever understand what he was going through. Soon after arriving home, he would develop a habit that would help with his pain, even if it was for a few hours before.

He starting drinking at home and found that it really helped with his Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A Habit Found Him

Public Domain

“I wouldn’t drink because I liked the taste of beer, it was when I was angry, or if I was hurting.” This would soon bleed into his normal life as he would be pulled over one day while driving under the influence.

He would have to go before the judge scores of times, submitting urine tests to prove his sobriety each occasion, but Joe couldn’t give up the bottle and he faked one of his later tests.

Falsified Test

Credits

Joe had lied to the judge and two weeks later he admitted to his falsified test. Joe apologized to the judge two weeks after the fact but a simple apology was not going to be enough.

The judge, Lou Olivera, believed that Joe should be held accountable for his actions, and as quickly as that Joe was sentenced to a night in prison.

Brother In Arms

ABC News

What no one knew was that judge Lou was too an army veteran, if anyone it would be him that understood what Joe was going through, yet here he was, putting Joe into a tiny cell alone or a whole night.

12 hours of reliving the nightmare in the dark long ago. But the judge was not a cruel man, he knew Joe would suffer coping with isolation so he came up with a radical plan.

Friendly Visit

ABC News

On the day that Joe was to report to jail, Lou decided to meet him there, mostly for reassurance “When he showed up, I could tell visibly he was under distress,” Lou remembers.

“He was shaking. He was trembling. He was sweaty.” Judge Lou remarked. And this was before Joe had even entered the cell. What would happen when those doors closed behind him? Locking him in for the night.

Walls Closing In

Credits

The walls got closer and if Joe stretched his arms out he could touch both walls on either side of him, but it felt like the cold, dark box was shrinking in on him, this door too was immovable just like the trucks doors had been on the night of the accident.

Suddenly he was back in the truck, cold water up to his chin, the smell of gas in the air, no escape.

Flashbacks

ABC News

The flashback wouldn’t stop, “I put my hands over my head and put my head down.” He was trying to think of being anywhere but here, but it was impossible.

His skin crawled and cold sweat formed over his whole body. The gate swung shut behind him, “It just kind of echoed in my head, I was so nervous,” Joe says.

Flashbacks

CNN

Joe began to have vivid flashbacks of the night he and his team got trapped inside the submerged vehicle.

“In the truck, I didn’t know I would get out of there,” Serna says. “I only had one option that night, and it wasn’t a good option. In the cell, I reflected on that.”

Waiting At The Gate

Credits

A rattle at the gate jolted him from his waking nightmare. Joe looked up to the gate, knowing his time was nowhere near complete but praying that by some miracle he could run straight out that door. Instead, he saw judge Lou.

The judge smiled and Joe and Joe kind of smiled back. The security footage captured everything.

He Was Smiling

WeTheMighty

“Standing right there is Judge Lou Olivera with a big smile, Joe recalled.

“And I kind of smiled, too, because he was holding a tray of food. He comes in and he sits on the bed. ‘Scoot over.’” Joe remembers him saying.

“Are You Afraid?”

CNN

“They closed the door and locked it,” Joe says.

“I said, ‘This is serious.’ He had the ability to get out, but they locked the door.” Joe asked his new cellmate: “Judge, are you afraid?”

“No,” Lou replied. “Are you?” “No,” Joe told him.

I’m Going To Jail

ABC News

This was something completely unprecedented. Lou had never spent a night in jail, much less with a prisoner, but after seeing Joe he knew he needed to help in some way.

“I called up my wife,” Lou recalls. “I said, ‘Honey, I’m not coming home for dinner.’ ‘Why not?’ ‘Well, I’m going to jail.’” I’m sure his wife was pretty stunned too.

Not So Alone

ABC News

Lou’s presence had an immediate effect on Joe. “It automatically brought me back to being a person,” Joe says. “I was overwhelmed. I really wanted to cry. And I didn’t feel alone.”

Sitting side by side in the jail cell, judge and veteran ate meatloaf and mashed potatoes and talked — about their families and jobs, television, and war. Around midnight, the judge put his mat on the ground.

A Great Deed

ABC News

“I said, ‘Judge if anything please sleep in the bunk. Let me take the ground,’” Joe says, but Lou insisted, “‘I got it.’” They chatted in the dark.

“Finally, Joe’s breathing got heavier and he got quieter, and then he started to snore,” Lou says. “That was when I felt good because I knew Joe would be OK.” The next morning, Lou drove Joe home before heading straight back to the courthouse.

A Good Man

CNN

“Joe was a good soldier and he’s a good man,” Lou says. “I wanted him to know I had his back. I didn’t want him to do this alone.”

“He looked at me like I was crazy,” Lou says. “He gave me the stinkeye, and said, ‘I don’t know what you’re thinking, son. I can’t lock up a judge.’ ”

Not Alone

CNN

“I’m a judge and I’ve seen evil,” Lou says, “but I see the humanity in people. Joe is a good man. Helping him helped me. I wanted him to know he isn’t alone.”

“When I walked out of the cell, it felt like a clean slate,” Joe says. “I was talking to one of the jailers. I’m like, ‘Have you ever seen that?’ He said, ‘No. Don’t disappoint him.’”

A Clean Slate

ABC News

Joe says one of the hardest parts of coping with PTSD has always been trusting. He didn’t trust people anymore. Lou changed that.

“Just his presence alone shifted my whole mindset. When he walked in, that kind of brought the walls down and built this confidence in me, of trust in people.”

The post Judge Sentences Vet To Jail, Then Camera Catches Him Opening Cell appeared first on Relatively Interesting.

She crouched and pulled open the door with a heave. The dark unit held the silhouette of a big object. It was covered in a tarp from what she could see. And underneath the tarp would be a car – she knew it shouldn’t have been in there.

She decided to give the car a wash, and clear out everything that was in it.

Texas Girl

greenenvelope

Lavona lived in Port Isabel, Texas. She had been happily married to Charles for an entire seven years. She married him after dating him for three years.

They weren’t well off. They had to work hard to support their baby Taylor, so much so that Lavona quit her job to look after her. Her husband seemed happy to financially support them, he had done so before.

Struggles

Public Domain

Charles had been given many opportunities in his life, he had an education and got a good job after earning his degree. Lavona felt that her job was less adequate than his.

She had always struggled to find a job while her husband got them so easily with his qualifications. He had always looked after her whenever she didn’t have a job and she loved him for that.

Solid Foundations

Getty Images

Their relationship was solid as a rock, or at least Lavona thought so. Charles would always go off to spend his free time with his drinking buddies. And when he got back he never wanted to bring it up.

But after three years of being married to one another, it felt that they had barely seen each other. With Lavona working hard and Charles doing the same plus seeing his mates. Things did change once Taylor was born.

Personal Space

Public Domain

Lavona understood that her husband really liked his private space away from her. They could have lived without each other, right?

But Lavona would eventually find out that she knew very little about what Charles got up to in his free time.

Losing Interest

hearstapps

But once she got pregnant Charles changed, he helped her out and was there for everything. But after five months she found herself painting the nursery on her own, what changed?

Even though Charles had stuck around a lot more in the first few months of her pregnancy, he lost interest and went back to old habits. He got home at a late hour not mentioning where he had been.

Absent

Getty Images

Lavona thought that the miracle of childbirth would bring Charles back into her life. But things steadily declined before the child was even born. So when the big day was finally there, Charles wasn’t there.

Lavona’s midwife helped deliver the beautiful baby Taylor but Charles couldn’t be reached. He told her he was working.

A Nasty Surprise

Getty Images

Things didn’t change even after she gave birth. It had been a year and he was still as absent as ever. Lavona felt that she was a single mother even if Charles was helping financially. But even that changed.

She soon found that less and less money was available for the necessities like groceries and baby things. Where was all the money going? She had never spent a dime on anything selfish. Charles had some answering to do.

Confronting Him

Getty Images

Charles was more than defensive when Lavona raised the important question. He said that he had been taking extra days off to help himself destress. But where was he on his days off?

He also snapped that if she didn’t like the amount of money coming in that she should try and make it herself. She felt her blood starting to boil.

Desperation Sinks In

Shutterstock

She felt so offended, if he hadn’t mentioned that he was taking days off he was surely lying about other things.

Charles didn’t seem to care that this upset her. She knew that they’d have to make some more money if they wanted to make ends meet. But soon more problems would arise.

Discovery

Getty Images

Lavona pulled out all the monthly statements and bills to their shared bank account to try and see where the money was going. She needed to see where she could cut costs, and if Charles wasn’t willing to help, she’d have to make a plan herself.

One item appeared again and again – a mysterious monthly debit order of $95, called “STOR336.” Did this have something to do with her husband’s strange behavior? Lavona was about to find out.

Forgotten

Getty Images

Lavona called the bank to trace the mysterious debit order and they were able to give her some vital information. The $95 was going to a company called “Store-IT,” and it was located near South Bay.

All it took was a quick Google and a phone call. Lavona had completely forgotten about the storage unit Charles had inherited from his father all those years ago. She’d never been inside, and she had assumed that Charles had forgotten about it, too, and that the key was long gone. How very wrong she was.

Glimmer Of Hope

Public Domain

Lavona knew it was a long shot, but maybe there were items inside the storage unit that she could sell to keep them afloat… even if it was just for another month or two.

Maybe she could gather enough money to pay for a nanny for Taylor, and she could use the extra breathing room to look for a part-time job. But first things first. She needed to know what was inside the unit.

Puzzles

Public Domain

Lavona bundled Taylor into the car and drove to the storage facility the very same day. She didn’t have the key, but she had the payment reference for storage unit 336. She explained to the company’s manager that the key was lost – after all, they had completely forgotten about the old storage unit.

But the manager just shook his head, puzzled. “We don’t keep tenant keys on the property for security reasons, so I can’t let you in.” Lavona’s face fell. “But I know Charles well,” he continued, “he had your key on Monday.”

Something Wasn’t Right

Public Domain

“Wait… what?” Lavona stammered. Charles hadn’t said a word to her about the storage unit. In fact, he hadn’t brought it up since he inherited it… and that was seven years ago. “If you need a copy, I can bring it to you tomorrow,” the manager said – seemingly oblivious to Levona’s stricken face.

Levona resolved to pull herself together. She needed to get to the bottom of this. She put on her fakest, widest smile and replied: “Thank you! That would be great!”

Sleepless

Envato

Lavona hardly slept at all that night. Charles had crept in at some late hour, as usual, and was sleeping soundly beside her. She lay awake, wondering what could be in that storage unit that her husband didn’t want her to know about.

The clock rolled over to 4:55 AM and Lavona sighed. The birds began chirping their dreaded morning call. Taylor started crying, like clockwork. So she got up.

The Act

Meridith Corp

Even though Lavona’s eyes burned, she shakily made Charles a packed lunch of meatloaf leftovers to take to work, just like she always did.

Even though she just wanted to scream at him until he confessed everything, she had to act like everything was completely normal. She waited for him to pull out the drive and gave him a good head start. Then, she and Taylor headed to South Bay.

Too Easy

Public Domain

Lavona pulled up to the gate, told the security guard her name, and asked if the manager had left a key for her. Yes, a key for storage unit 336, she nodded. He handed it to her without questions.

That was almost too easy, she thought as she drove down the rows, searching for the right number. 300… 320…finally, 336.

The Storage Unit

StorageUnitsOfTware

Lavona slung Taylor onto her hip and walked with purpose. Squatting down, she slid the key into the lock and clicked it into place. She hesitated for a few seconds.

This moment demarcated the point where she’d cross a line in her and her husband’s marriage. She wanted to be fully aware. After this, there was no going back. She heaved, and the red door slid up with a screech.

The Car

StoreSpace

The musty smell of old upholstery hit her as a tractor beam of light streamed in through the entrance, illuminating a large object that was right in the middle of the piled boxes and sparkling galaxies of dust.

It was covered with a white tarp. She strode inside and flung the covering off to reveal an old car. Her heart began to pound with excitement. Was this the answer to all her problems? Or was this all just a giant mistake?

Lunchbox

VSVSelfStorage

Lavona didn’t know much about cars. All she knew was that it was dusty. Taylor was growing niggly, so she bounced him up and down while she walked around it, trying to peer inside for clues.

From what she could see from looking in the dirty windows, someone had been inside this car recently. Through the dust, she could just make out a bright green lunchbox and a brown A3 folder, sitting on the passenger seat. Her heart dropped.

Elephant In The Room

WCMA

Lavona hadn’t really wanted to believe that her husband had hidden something like this from her. If they had an old car to sell, why hadn’t he told her? He knew that they were a month or two away from being evicted. Yet, he’d said nothing.

Nothing Adds Up

YouTube – Maria Foy

A sharp swell of anxiety had begun to well in Lavona’s chest. Could this be something to do with an affair? But then, why not meet at a hotel? Why here? Her gut and a creeping feeling told her that something else was going on.

Trying to ignore Taylor’s keening, she swung her arm out and gripped the door handle to find out, once and for all. “Damn!” she cried. Locked. Where was the key?

But the biggest elephant in the room was something she couldn’t even begin to comprehend. Looking at the dust, she knew nobody had been driving it. So why was Charles coming here to sit inside it?

Locked Out

Carcody

If she couldn’t get into the car to see what was inside, the next best thing would be to wipe the dust off so she could look in. She grabbed the tarp and began polishing the windows furiously.

The spaces she cleared let a little more light in. She could see stacks of paper in the back. A few crumpled beer cans, a box of Camels… nothing told her anything. But she wasn’t about to leave now. Then, Lavona remembered something.

A Strange Habit

YouTube Which

Charles had a strange habit of keeping his ignition key in the garage at home. That way, he reasoned, he’d always be able to find it. He had an infuriating habit of losing his car key, and this had been his solution.

Lavona scanned the storage unit, looking over the piles of boxes and junk until her eyes were drawn to one small round box that was conspicuously free of dust. And her hunch paid off.

The post Secrets Uncovered After Husband’s Vehicle Is Cleaned appeared first on Relatively Interesting.

The entire ride had been an anxious one.

His parents definitely weren’t on board with his scheme but nevertheless, they didn’t want to get in the way of his interests. He held the painting in his sweaty palms the entire car ride there. But when the appraiser raised an eyebrow he knew something was up.

Unique Boy

Antiques Roadshow

Mark was definitely not the standard young boy like many others were, his interests were different.

Other kids’ interests were video games or athletic sports like football. But Mark was watching The Antiques Road Show and looking for gems in every garage sale.

Being Different

Pixabay

He loved antiques, which was far from the interests that his peers had. He never went to many parties because of his unique and mature tastes. He didn’t mind being ‘uncool’ though.

He found it hard to relate to other kids and he accepted it. But soon he’d be the coolest kid in school.

Intense Studying

Antiques Roadshow

Mark knew every appraiser on the show that he loved and even watched a documentary on The Antiques Road Show. To say it was an obsession was an understatement.

One day in a thrift store he saw a ratty old painting, but having keen insight because of the show, he begged his father to let him buy it for only $2.

Doting Parents

Pixabay

Mark had two brothers which he was the youngest. Even so, his love for antiques was definitely mature tastes compared to them.

He needed the ratty painting, he had a feeling that it was the right thing to do, a decision that would definitely pay off.

Making A Profit

Antiques Roadshow

Parental Approval

Pixabay

Once the painting was bought Mark knew the next step was where the difficulties would come. His favorite show was airing in Virginia, relatively close to where he lived…

It took two weeks of nonstop badgering before his parents finally couldn’t take it anymore and caved. He was excited for what would come next. They got in the car and off they went.

Dream Come True

WVXU

The places smelled spectacular, like antique wood, canvas board, and age. He was in heaven. Then he was shown a place where he could be seated, and he recognized the face that escorted him.

He looked the same as when he was on Mark’s TV but there was something he never noticed about the man until seeing him in person. His presence, he was a host afterall.

Famous Host

PBS

It was the senior vice president of Freeman Auction house – David Weiss

He ran up, shook the man’s hand, and gusted about the appraiser’s past appearances on the show. The man’s eyes went wide in shock. Obviously, he was surprised that a preteen would have this reaction. But the best part was still to come.

A Role Model

Twitter / David Weiss

David Weiss is one of the most respected appraisers in America. He has been making waves in the auction field since 1988 and is one of the show’s head appraisers for paintings and oriental rugs.

He has a sharp eye and a well of knowledge that most could only dream of! He was exactly what Mark wanted to be.

Camera’s Rolling

Antiques Roadshow

Mark sat tall and confident as Weiss set him up at the table and explained about the cameras.

However, inside he was jittering with excitement. It only got better when Weiss started asking questions – and Mark delivered totally unexpected answers that quickly changed the tone of the entire interview.

Warm-Up Questions

sellingantiques.co.uk

He asked what Mark like to collect.

He grinned and answered, “I like glass, sterling silver and art.” He also tried to sell his finds online to make a little profit. But he knew he had to wait until September to assess anything sterling silver because of market fluctuation. Weiss looked at Mark in amazement. But it was time to get to the main event.

Painter Revealed

Antiques Roadshow

Mark guessed it was a watercolor by someone named Albert, but he couldn’t find out anything else. All he knew is that he wanted to sell it.

Weiss grinned and confirmed Mark was right. The artist was Albert Neuhuys a well-known Dutch painter that liked to focus on rural family life. “How much do you think this is worth?” Weiss asked.

It’s Worth

Wikimedia Commons

Albert Neuhuys paintings were unique in how he specialized in the shine of satin clothes and his use of light. The watercolors he used became known for their sparkling transparency.

But the question remained. “How much do you think this is worth?” Weiss asked Mark.

First Guess

Public Domain

“Hundred and fifty bucks,” Mark answered confidently.

Making that much money off a 2-dollar investment would have been amazing. The appraiser’s grin changed, and it make Mark’s excitement skyrocket. “It’s worth more than that,” Weiss said.

Anticipation Building

Pixabay

Mark sat up straight on the edge of his seat. His face was full of anticipation. His parents watched from the sidelines. Their hearts pounded for their little boy.

“How much do you think it’s worth?”, Mark excitedly asked. He was barely able to stay seated. The crowd grew silent.

1500 Dollars!

Antiques Roadshow

“Are you ready to find out?”, Weiss asked teasingly. “Yes!”, Mark replied.

“Today, if your Albert Neuhuys watercolor came to an auction, it would probably sell for about $1000 to $1500.” It was Mark’s turn for his jaw to hit the floor. Out of the corner of his eye he also saw his parents’ reaction.

Staring In Amazement

Pixabay

His parents stared at Mark in shock. Their jaws hanging open. Once the surprise passed, they looked at their son in complete amazement and admiration.

They didn’t teach him any of this. He learned how to spot a treasure all by himself. And not only that, he also had to fight hard to persuade them to trust him.

So Happy!

Antiques Roadshow

It was a mixture of shock and pride.

It wasn’t the first time Mark’s persistence had turned a profit, and they were already so happy he had such a unique hobby, but this was the biggest dollar amount he had made so far. Weiss also had a number of compliments that would turn his face red.

All Grown Up

Pixabay

As with all investments, it can be a risky business, especially if that investor is not even a teenager yet. But for Mark, he didn’t feel too young. He was smart and did a lot of research. This was all he needed to encourage his parents to take him more seriously.

And it wasn’t only his parents that had a change of heart.

Instantly Popular

Once Mark’s unique talent and successful story hit the tv, he instantly became the coolest kid in town. Although Mark didn’t really care too much what other kids thought of him, it was nice to know that now, they understood him.

Suddenly, making money and being smart was cool. But Weiss also had a number of compliments for Mark that would turn his face red.

Bright Future

nearsay.com

Weiss though even though Mark still had lots to learn if he wanted to become a professional, he was already leaps and bounds ahead of any other dealer was when they were that young.

He was also impressed that Mark had made such a wonderful find on instinct alone.

New Perspective

Antiques Roadshow

The muted image of a farm wife and her child took on an entirely different light.

So did his parents’ attitude about the entire trip. He felt a new, intense itch to get online and learn more so he could hone his skills, and hopefully visit some auction houses soon.

Not Stopping

What’s On Abu Dhabi

The entire experience was amazing!

Mark sat in the car with his original Neuhuys with a huge smile plastered across his face. He loved his unusual hobby more than anything, but now he knew he could make a career of it. And, who knows, maybe be rich one day!

The post With No Idea What The Value Is, Kid Sells Artwork appeared first on Relatively Interesting.

He noticed its enormous eyes glistening back at him and the sound that its hungry stomach made.

He didn’t want it here so he tried to make it leave, but it was clear that the dog was not going to move for anything. With a sigh he knew he’d have to resort to one thing that would surely get red it of, he just hoped that it wouldn’t end in regret.

Common Sight

@tucson_prime Instagram

Merson Mariano was a Hyundai Manager and didn’t see anything surprising when he walked past stray animals on the sidewalk, it was a common enough occurence.

With the animals running rampant they even got their own nickname – “Community Pets”. Some poeple gave into their adorable eyes for while others ignored their please for food.

Just Too Many

@tucson_prime Instagram

But the reality of what was happening was a little hard to understand.

Mariano loved all animals, even the strays he walked past on the street. He just wished he could adopt the 30 million out there but it was unrealistic. He did what he could and adopted just two. But when a shaking, wet, hungry dog appeared at the front door to his dealership, what was he supposed to do?

Worried

@tucson_prime Instagram

He knew if he gave the poor animal even a morsel, it would hang around the dealership.

As much as he felt sorry for this dog, he didn’t want any of his customers to encounter trouble. He decided that he’d ignore the begging eyes of the animal until he gave up and looked somewhere else. But something unexpected occured.

Admitting Defeat

@tucson_prime Instagram

The cute canine didn’t budge, it was clear that they wouldn’t give up so easily.

He just sat on the steps to the dealership and wagged his tail. He’d occasionally leave to look for a morsel but soon he’d always come back. It was clear that he wanted more than just some food.

Don’t Get Comfortable

@tucson_prime Instagram

He didn’t mind giving him a small reprieve from the harsh world before shooing him away when customers came by, he started becoming fond of the dog.

Then he remembered that he had stashed a blanket in his car, but there were customers already lining up and his shift had just started. Then the first customer of the day came in with a dog of their own. This was the start of a truly strange day, he just didn’t know it.

High Potential

@tucson_prime Instagram

The two dogs interacting and Mariano smiled to himself. The dog followed the other man’s canine into the dealership and started smelling all of the cars. The customer then asked Mariano about the dog, so he recounted his experiences with the stray so far.

The stray dog seemed much happier being inside the dealership where it was dry. Then Mariano thought of a brilliant idea, one that would change everything.

Backing Up Words

autotrader

Hyundai had always said they were a pet-friendly company.

Why not put words into action? So, he rushed to his computer, feeling a surge of excitement. The email was simple – begging the higher-ups to let the dealership adopt the dog and make it their official mascot. All he wanted was a “yes”, but he got so much more then he would ever have dream of.

The Green Light

Instagram @tucson_prime

Not only did they say it was a great idea, but they wanted the store to become the dog’s forever home.

They also sent a check to buy all the necessary products and get him checked by a vet. In addition, they would set up a camera to keep an eye on him when no one was there. But there were still two vital things missing and they couldn’t be overlooked any longer.

What’s His Name?

Instagram @tucson_prime

First, he needed a name.

It didn’t take long for the entire team to agree on “Tucson Prime” – after all, it seemed like a sign. The giddiness of the event made Mariano rush to his computer and print out Tucson his very one employee badge! One would think the story would end there, but it gets so much better!

Getting Noticed

ABC News

Through the dealerships Instagram, word of Tucson spread like wildfire.

People started sending in gifts, giggling over his video baths, and cooing when he walked customers around or went on a test drive with them. People actually started coming to the store just to see the new mascot. Soon, their dog got an amazing invitation.

Shocking Invitation

barkpost

It was something even Mariano had never received – an invitation to visit the actual Hyundai plants.

The big bosses and their staff wanted a meet a greet. Their dealership went crazy! They bought various ties and bow ties, a new leash, and whatever else would leave the best impression.

Leaving An Impression

ABC News

Mariano beamed with pride as he led Tucson around the plant floor and workers raced and squealed with joy to give him belly rubs.

Their “Pawfessional Consultant” had already won over the hearts of the bosses, but the marketing team looked like excited children when the gave Mariano another unbelievable offer.

New Job Opportunity

newsweek

They wanted to make Tucson part of a new set of nationwide commercials!

His scruffy boy was going to be famous! After then arrived back to the dealership, and their doggo settled into his custom doghouse and fell immediately asleep, Mariano shook his head in awe at everything that had happened.

Just Show Kindness

@tucson_prime Instagram

All it had taken was a little bit of kindness.

Their group hand banned together for the sole purpose of saving one street dog, but the ended up bringing so much joy to so many people around the world. He couldn’t wait to see what the future brought.

Fate

popcycle

Mariano was so moved by the stranger’s story that he knew he had to do something. Unfortunately, even though it seemed like it was meant to be, the customer couldn’t take the stray dog because he already had three of his own.

But Mariano knew now that fate had brought this dog to the dealership for a reason. Suddenly, a wonderful, perfect light bulb went off in Mariano’s head.

Backing Up Words

@tucson_prime Instagram

Hyundai had always said they were a pet-friendly company.

Why not put words into action? So, he rushed to his computer, feeling a surge of excitement. The email was simple – begging the higher-ups to let the dealership adopt the dog and make it their official mascot. All he wanted was a “yes”, but he got so much more then he would ever have dream of.

The Green Light

@tucson_prime Instagram

Not only did they say it was a great idea, but they wanted the store to become the dog’s forever home.

They also sent a check to buy all the necessary products and get him checked by a vet. In addition, they would set up a camera to keep an eye on him when no one was there. But there were still two vital things missing and they couldn’t be overlooked any longer.

What’s His Name?

thehappypuppysite

First, he needed a name.

It didn’t take long for the entire team to agree on “Tucson Prime” – after all, it seemed like a sign. The giddiness of the event made Mariano rush to his computer and print out Tucson his very one employee badge! One would think the story would end there, but it gets so much better!

Getting Noticed

@tucson_prime Instagram

Through the dealerships Instagram, word of Tucson spread like wildfire.

People started sending in gifts, giggling over his video baths, and cooing when he walked customers around or went on a test drive with them. People actually started coming to the store just to see the new mascot. Soon, their dog got an amazing invitation.

Shocking Invitation

@tucson_prime Instagram

It was something even Mariano had never received – an invitation to visit the actual Hyundai plants.

The big bosses and their staff wanted a meet a greet. Their dealership went crazy! They bought various ties and bow ties, a new leash, and whatever else would leave the best impression.

Leaving An Impression

@hyundaibr Instagram

Mariano beamed with pride as he led Tucson around the plant floor and workers raced and squealed with joy to give him belly rubs.

Their “Pawfessional Consultant” had already won over the hearts of the bosses, but the marketing team looked like excited children when the gave Mariano another unbelievable offer.

New Job Opportunity

@tucson_prime Instagram

They wanted to make Tucson part of a new set of nationwide commercials!

His scruffy boy was going to be famous! After then arrived back to the dealership, and their doggo settled into his custom doghouse and fell immediately asleep, Mariano shook his head in awe at everything that had happened.

Just Show Kindness

@tucson_prime Instagram

All it had taken was a little bit of kindness.

Their group hand banned together for the sole purpose of saving one street dog, but the ended up bringing so much joy to so many people around the world. He couldn’t wait to see what the future brought.

The post Animal Won’t Budge From Spot, Car Dealer Looks In Trunk appeared first on Relatively Interesting.

He thought about all of the things that crawled around this jungle. He wanted to head to dry land, and fast.

Then they saw the glint of the plane in the distance. It was far but they could see the reflective metal through the treeline. He finally saw it, everything would be worth it.

Fred Hagen

Youtube/ LanaV777

Fred decided that he would do everything in his power to see the wreckage when he first caught wind of it.

Fred was an archaeologist and as such he was always looking for the next best find. He loved expeditions and would go searching for them with his partner. He would go to all parts of the world to find his treasures.

Pushing Boundaries

Youtube/ LanaV777

Fred Hagen’s partner David Tallichet was always by his side. They loved searching in the unknown for adventure and hidden treasures.

This led them to Papua New Guinea. They searched in the miles upon miles of swampland. The local people called it the “Swamp Ghost” and they needed to find it.

Something White

Youtube/ LanaV777

The swamp soon changed tone as soon as they saw the glint of the metal in the jungle. It had been abandoned and forgotten for decades.

It was a strange shape that couldn’t be made out in the sky. They needed to push forward to make sure it was what they thought it was.

Flying Closer

Credits

They needed the helicopter to get closer to the site. Most of it was swampland and they needed to get as close as they dared.

The wreck was half in the water and covered by the thick vines of the jungle. They knew it was exactly what they had come there for.

A Mystery Awaits

Youtube/ LanaV777

The plane was exactly how they expected it to be. Even from the helicopter, they knew it was the WWII plane that had been lost.

They got in touch with the locals to get the equipment they needed. But they should have looked at the warning signs.

A Cursed Place

Youtube/ LanaV777

There was a reason Fred and his colleague were receiving warning. From all over the world, people flocked to witness the secret that haunted this dense marshland for decades.

Many had ventured towards the Swamp Ghost, never to return. Others contracted malaria and lost their mind. The locals kept themselves safe by staying away and worshipping the area as sacred land.

History And Legend

Credits

The Papua New Guinea villagers know of all the eerie blackened hulls of bombed-out debris from hundreds of crashed planes that lie camouflaged in the mountainous rainforests and lowland jungles of their land, steeped in horrifying history.

But none as terrifying as the Swamp Ghost. Even today, villagers report shapes rising up in the swamps, like mummies in a horror movie.

Setting Out

Youtube/ LanaV777

But Fred and David didn’t care. Where others saw danger, they saw adventure. If it was really cursed, they wanted to see that for themselves.

So the moment that all their equipment was ready, Fred and David brought their team out to Papua New Guinea jungle to get started on their mission. Little did they know they were about to encounter much more than a wrecked plane.

Into The Unknown

Youtube/ LanaV777

Although Fred and David explored many kinds of land, they weren’t familiar with this particular swampy terrain. Their energy dwindled fast as they set out towards the mysterious aircraft.

However, the passion for exploring something that had been untouched for decades spurred them on. Little did they know, there were more dangers straight ahead of them than the ghosts and curses.

Heart Of The Jungle

Youtube/ LanaV777

As Fred stopped to take a drink of water, he saw something move in the water from the corner of his eye. He froze and slowly looked towards the movement.

His mind raced with the stories he heard of crocodiles and giant anacondas that patrolled these parts of the jungle. He turned his head and saw nothing but it was enough to have him shouting at his team to move forward to the dry land ahead. Suddenly, their hearts raced.

Enticing

Youtube/ LanaV777

The mysterious plane was in sight. From the distance, it reflected the light of the sun so bright that it felt like it was calling their name, enticing them to come over.

Their clothes were wet and dirty from the waist down after trekking through the swamp. But the humidity and sun prevented them from being cold. Their pace quickened.

The Discovery

Youtube/ LanaV777

Fred, David, and their team had already conquered one of the most foreboding challenges of their mission. Now, all they had to do was keep walking towards the bright light.

They walked through the unforgiving landscape of the dense jungle for hours until they finally reached the site. Silence engulfed the team as everybody stood in awe at what they saw.

Face To Face With The Swamp Ghost

Youtube/ LanaV777

No one knew the story behind this plane. That’s why Fred and David were hell bent on finding out more about its mysterious origins. Now, as they stood within arms length of it, they couldn’t soak in the details fast enough.

From it’s structure they could tell it was a plane from World War 2. This wasn’t a surprise as Papua New Guinea was a war hotbed and major conflict zone during the war.

Land Of War

Youtube/ LanaV777

Every year, war enthusiasts had flocked to Papua New Guinea to see for themselves the wreckage that lay strewn over parts of the islands. Because of its strategic location, it became the site of many clashes between the Australians, Japanese and Americans, all of which had set up military bases in different areas.

Fred and David expected to feel a deep sense of history here. But they never saw this coming.

Secrets Revealed

Credits

What the swamp had been hiding for so many years was actually a huge WWII airplane in incredible condition, remaining largely intact.

Locals had been calling it the Swamp Ghost because it was so well hidden deep in the jungle as well as believing it to be haunted. Why was such a massive plane in the middle of the jungle? Who flew it, what happened? They were about to find out.

Salvage

The plane’s location was probably the major reason why it was largely unexplored. The deep swamplands also made it almost impossible to remove the aircraft from the site for further study.

But that wouldn’t stop Fred and David from trying to find a way to salvage and study the plane, move it out of there and restore it to its old glory. First, they stepped inside.

Stepping Inside

Their bodies shook with excitement as they entered the aircraft. Their hopes were high that a lot of its interior would be preserved just like it’s exterior.

Unfortunately, when they stepped inside, it was ransacked. All of the mechanics and weaponry inside of the aircraft had already been looted over the decades it lay here. Luckily, David was already able to identify pieces of its story.

Aircraft Expertise

Colin Crawford / LA Times

As a World War II veteran, David had lots of experience in dealing with all types of aircraft. He even has a business of collecting and restoring military aircraft. It was his main reason for coming on this mission.

His collection included amazing aircrafts such as a B-25 Mitchell bomber and a P-40 Tomahawk. But this find would top them all.

The Flying Fortress

Credits

David quickly discovered that the type of plane stuck in the swamp was the exact same type of plane that he had piloted during WWII. It was a B-17E Flying Fortress.

Once they knew what they were dealing with, they began attempting to salvage the plane in the 1980s. But in true ‘Swamp Ghost’ fashion, they suffered setbacks, making it decades before they completed the extremely difficult task.

The Big Dream

Credits

According to Fred, the restoration of the plane was their greatest dream. “Because for some reason it captured the imagination of people from around the world…” he stated.

The plane was first nicknamed the Flying Fortress. This happened when a journalist saw the plane during a test flight back in 1935 and remarked that it looked like a flying fortress. But what about its backstory? How did the plane get stuck in the cursed swamp?

The Japanese Attack

Youtube/ LanaV777

Just one day before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the Swamp Ghost was sent out on a special mission. Instead of flying with the Kangaroo Squadron that day, it was sent out on one of the earliest bombing missions of the Second World War.

But then disaster struck. The Japanese invaded the island of New Britain in Papua New Guinea. Swamp Ghost would be the first to the scene, and with that suffer disastrous consequences.

The Downfall

Youtube/ LanaV777

In February of 1942, the Swamp Ghost was dispatched to attack Japanese ships on New Britain Island. But the majestic Swamp Ghost would tragically never return from its mission.

The plane started experiencing problems when the bomb bay doors wouldn’t open. They made second passes at their target before they were able to finally get them open. But now, they’d attracted anti-aircraft fire from the Japanese troops. It was the beginning of the end for Swamp Ghost.

Technical Malfunction

Youtube/ LanaV777

A dogfight ensued after the Swamp Ghost made its second pass on its target, which luckily was successful as they were able to finally get the bomb bay open. The Swamp Ghost managed to take down three enemy fighters out of a dozen.

Then suddenly, the Swamp Ghost was hit by the enemy. Thankfully, the plane didn’t explode but one of its wings was majorly damaged. It was leaking fuel and crashing fast in the New Guinean wilderness.

Crash Landing

Omega Bio-Tek

The Swamp Ghost was due to return to the New Guinean capital city of Port Moresby, but the crew couldn’t make that happen with a punctured wing and the massive fuel leak. Then the pilot spotted a perfect place to make a crash landing.

He thought he saw a soft wheat field which would be a perfect place to make a crash landing. But what he thought was a large wheat field ended up being something far more treacherous.

The Middle Of Nowhere

Youtube/ LanaV777

It was a swamp that was inhabited by deadly and ferocious crocodiles. The Swamp Ghost made its crash landing in the swamp and miraculously, none of the crew members were seriously injured.

However, the crew was now stranded in a dangerous swamp in the middle of nowhere. Not knowing where they were or where they were going, they set off to find civilization and help to get back to their base located in the capital.

A Brief Reunion

Credits

The entire crew devastatingly all caught malaria while attempting to traverse the dangerous swamps. Fortunately, they came across a native that helped them and took them back to his village.

The kind local nursed them back to health, and they were reunited with US forces in the New Guinean capital of Port Moresby. The crew was welcomed back as heroes but their celebration didn’t last long. They were almost immediately sent out on a new mission.

Lost In Time

Credits

While the crew of the Swamp Ghost was redeployed on a new mission, their Flying Fortress was all but forgotten. As time went on and the war ended, no one thought twice about the Flying Fortress, and it was time to go home.

For decades, the plane was only known to a few locals in the nearby areas. US forces completely forgot about the plane and no effort was made to recover it from the wreck site.

The Most Famous

Youtube/ LanaV777

Then, it was rediscovered in 1972 by Australian troops flying over the area. The news hit international media and the Swamp Ghost became famous.

The Flying Fortress is one of only four other planes of its kind and of all the wrecks that took place over Papua New Guinea, the Swamp Ghost is the most famous of them all.

Battle Scars

Youtube/ LanaV777

Located in the Agaiambo Swamp, the Swamp Ghost sat abandoned for 64 years.

The Pacific Aviation Museum in Hawaii explains that the Flying Fortress is “arguably the world’s only intact and unretired World War II-era B-17E bomber, a one-of-a-kind example of an aircraft that played an indispensable role in winning WWII. And it is the only B-17 in the world that still bears its battle scars”. But this wasn’t all.

A World War II Favorite

Youtube/ LanaV777

Since its introduction in 1938, the B-17 was still the third-most massively produced bomber of all time. During the war in the Pacific, the B-17 bomber was used in raids against Japanese shipping and airfields.

The bomber was a strategic resource in the war and was responsible for dropping 640,000 tons of bombs (out of 1.5 million total) on Nazi Germany. But what did any of this mean for Fred and David?

A Vision Of Modernization

Youtube/ LanaV777

The B-17 bomber was part of President Roosevelt’s vision to modernize the US military. But after the end of the war, the B-17 bomber was quickly phased out of use by the US Air Force.

Most of the bombers were returned to the United States where they were sold for scrap and melted down. Only a few bombers remained in use, mainly for secondary roles such as transport, air-sea rescue, and photo-reconnaissance.

Holy Relics

Youtube/ LanaV777

Fred and David’s salvaging operation was finally completed in 2006, but only four years later would they receive permission to return the aircraft to American soil.

But to the local villagers, the bomber was a relic on holy land. They had to be persuaded to hand over the Swamp Ghost. They even performed a ceremony to appease the spirits in the swamp. Still, not everyone was happy with the chief’s decision to let Fred and David remove the relic.

Son Of A Local Chief

Youtube/ LanaV777

Augustin Begasi, who happened to be the son of a local chief, set out to make sure that the B-17 bomber wasn’t removed.

He even went as far as to organize a group of people to help him intercept the plane before it could be moved to a barge offshore. Would the Swamp Ghost make it out?

Claiming Ownership

Credits

The salvagers, Fred and David, claimed that the villagers wanted to extract money because the barge was in their waters. In any case, Begasi and his posse were dispersed by police — who they believe were bribed to help get the plane out.

But Begasi couldn’t have stopped it anyway. The Swamp Ghost was lifted out by a Russian-built military helicopter. He could only watch helplessly as it was lifted out to the barge.

Salvage Rights

Credits

“They should have given us money, because it was our accustomed land,” Begasi said. “The plane would bring tourists, but now there is nothing. That village has no name now. If they left it there, it would have a name by now.”

Many Papua New Guineans lamented that one bureaucrat had given up their local treasure. Especially since the U.S. Air Force gave up the salvage rights for any crafts lost prior to 1961, they believed they had legal ownership over the plane.

Pearl Harbor

Credits

The first showing of the B-17 Flying Fortress was in Long Beach California. Surprisingly, many of the people in attendance were friends and family of the original crew of the bomber.

Everyone in attendance was thrilled to see that the long-lost plane had finally returned to the United States. The bomber remains as a memorial for a horrific war that claimed millions of lives.

A Full Restoration

Youtube/ LanaV777

Now that the plane has been returned and is safely stored in the Pacific Aviation Museum at Pearl Harbor, the owners of the B-17 bomber plan to fully restore the plane back to its former glory.

In total, the cost to restore the World War II B-17 bomber might exceed $5 million. After the B-17 is fully restored it is due to be moved to the Hangar 79 on Ford Island.

Cargo Cults

Youtube/ LanaV777

Today, many people of Papua New Guinea are still upset at the removal. The plane attracted tourists from far off places and some local cultures even formed spiritual beliefs surrounding the plane or a “cargo cult”.

This is a system of beliefs, generally formed in highly underdeveloped societies, in which its members hold superstitious beliefs about items that fall from the sky from more advanced civilizations, such as technology or cargo.

War Wreckage

Youtube/ LanaV777

Papua New Guinea was a very important strategic territory in the South West Pacific theater during WWII. Over 600 US planes crashed over the country alone, not including other allied or enemy forces which would equal thousands of planes.

Due to the terrain in Papua New Guinea, many of the crash sites are located in near-impossible to reach areas due to its dangerous and impassable terrain such as tropical rainforests, rugged mountain chains, savannas, and swamps.

A Nation Divided

Youtube/ LanaV777

One of the challenges of finding anything in the area is the physical boundaries of the area and population. The topography of the country renders a singular national identity almost impossible to achieve.

Currently, there are about six million people that live in Papua New Guinea, most of whom live in remote and secluded areas and are loyal to their local clans only. They live a simplistic lifestyle of hunting wildlife and growing crops.

Caught In The Middle

Youtube/ LanaV777

When WWII came around, the people of New Guinea found themselves in the middle of the conflict due to their strategic location between the Japanese Empire and allied Australia.

The Papuans didn’t fight in the war, but they did help by acting as service bearers, mainly carrying supplies and the wounded across the rugged mountainous terrain and steaming treacherous jungles. The country quickly became a graveyard and a memorial for the war, as evident by the Swamp Ghost.

Baffling

The Telegraph

The three surviving crew members of the Swamp Ghost seem to be the only people who are totally uninterested in the plane’s future. “After so many years and so much discussion, I’ve got sick and tired of talking about it,” said George Munroe.

“A lot of people got taken with that plane, which baffles me. I’m just not very interested. To me, it’s just trivia. We certainly weren’t that heroic. None of us saved a maiden in a burning building.”

Final Resting Place

Credits

Having made its way back across the Pacific, the B-17E, one of the rarest World War II bombers in existence, was moved to the Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island. Restoration is underway in Hangar 79, which guests can visit on a special Swamp Ghost tour.

The Pacific Aviation Museum has more than 50 aircraft in its collection, including The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, the Mitsubishi Zero, and The Stearman Biplane. Now, The Swamp Ghost, in its final resting place, is also on display.

World War II B-24 Liberator

Credits

The Liberator left from Ward’s Field, Port Moresby, for the Nadzab Air Base, near Lae on the Pacific island’s east coast, at about 2:40 P.M. on March 22, 1944.

It was on a courier flight and packed with 19 soldiers – pilots, bombers, and medics. News came into headquarters that it had been shot down.

Deeply Hidden

Wikimedia Commons

It was yet another crash that left families and friends without answer for years.

What made it worse is the location of where the plane had gone down were, at best, unbelievably vague. It was like looking for needle in a haystack and remained that way for decades.

No Closure

Wikimedia Commons

All the while, those left behind feared the worst.

Had their sons or husbands been captured by the enemy or executed? It wasn’t until a team from the army’s Central Identification Laboratory at Fort Shafer and members of the Papua New Guinea museum staff got involved did the case finally make any headway.

Revisiting The Case

Wikimedia Commons

It started with a general review of all documents.

Then, one staffer had to make the long, hot trek to the nearest village that the wreck might be located near. After all, the locals knew the jungle better than anyone. As the young assistant sat before the intimidating elder, he got the shock of his life.

Meeting Resistance

Wikimedia Commons

The translation was jarring.

They knew exactly what he was talking about. However, they didn’t want to disturb the resting spirits and bring bad fortune to their village. They had already given rites to put them at peace and refused to let anyone touch the site. Tensions grew high as the New Guinea officials had to step in.

Tentative Agreement

Wikimedia Commons

The plane could stay, the museum just wanted to take back the remains – remains which didn’t belong to the land.

There were grieving family members that were still alive that needed closure. Through an intense negotiation, they finally came to an agreement.

On The Mountain

Wikimedia Commons

The team would be led 8,856 feet up the slopes of Mount Thumb where the rusting, metal coffin waited.

The team would be allowed to piece together the bodies and take them away, but only as long as they elders could perform additional rites and rituals during the process. The scene unfolded into something quite surreal.

New Kind Of Rescue

Wikimedia Commons

The team had excavated under all sorts of conditions, but having smoke, chanting, and singing around them made the process take on an entirely new atmosphere.

It felt calming and honorable – a fitting way to save those 19 men that had perished. It also brought out a new fact.

Sad News

Reddit

The news reached the families and was bittersweet.

There was no doubt, after so long, that their loved ones had perished, but at least they now knew that they hadn’t been dragged away to endure a painful death. Empty coffins and blank gravestones could now be complete.

More Out There

Wikimedia Commons

These are just a couple incidences where the jungles had given up their secrets.

However, there are still over 200 American and Australian warplanes that languish in the muggy jungles – still waiting to be rescued and returned home.

The post They Found This Pearl Harbor Plane Hidden In The Jungle, Then They Looked Inside appeared first on Relatively Interesting.

She could feel tears cascading down her face as her pulse quickened, she was sprinting out of her house.

She couldn’t believe they were gone, so many memories made them irreplaceable to her. She needed to figure out where they were going. She was just hoping that it wasn’t too late.

Beach Time

Credit: Pexels

Caitlin Adkins in Dublin Ohia just wanted a nice joyful family outing at the beach.

All she wanted to do was eat her healthy snacks while watching her little bundles of joy have fun. Maybe she was even getting a few pages of her book read. But something would happen before anything else.

Sun Protection

Credit: Pexels

Little did she know that what seemed like an innocent action would have dire consequences.

She wanted her kids to be safe so she slathered a lot of sunscreen on them. They didn’t like it but that didn’t matter. She wanted her health to be first and foremost.

Getting Clean

Credit: Pexels

Little did she know that the sunscreen would pick up a lot of sand and make it a gluey mess on her hands.

While her kids were making sandcastles she decided to quickly run to wash off the sand on her hands. To do so she took all of her rings off and deposited them in her, she would learn to regret this decision.

Not Good Enough

Credit: Pexels

Upon returning her daughter had already made a huge sandcastle decorated with shells.

But her daughter looked at her with a frown “It’s not pretty enough. The princess won’t like it.” Caitlin Asked if her daughter would like to add some flowers to make it look nicer.

Kids Will Be Kids

Credit: Pexels

So far the day was shaping up to be a really good one.

Her daughter was having fun taking the sandcastle down when it came time to head home. She gleefully stomped on the sand but Caitlin wouldn’t realize her downfall until it was too late.

Terrifying Realization

Credit: Pexels

She always kept both her wedding and engagement rings on her fingers. They were almost a part of her at this point.

]So once she got home and realized that they were no longer on her she felt her stomach twist into a knot. Her rings weren’t in her pocket anymore, where could they be?

Not Just Rings

Credit: Mid Morning

Married people understand the pain of finding out that they’ve lost a wedding ring. The very symbol of their love.

Caitlin pulled out her pockets. When nothing fell out, she turned out her purse. She swore she had them on her the entire time. But, it wasn’t just the symbolism that was dear to her. There were two other priceless things attached to those rings.

Back To The Beach

Credit: Pexels

Her jewelry was worth a staggering 10k dollars! She was going to give her engagement ring to her daughter when she got married, then she had a realization.

She remembered that her daughter was using shiny objects to decorate the sandcastle. Could it be that those were her rings? She rushed to her daughter to ask her the important question.

Looking Everywhere

Credit: Mid Morning

Caitlin piled her kids back into the car and raced back to the beach.

If she got there, maybe they would still be there. She would dig up the entire shore if she had to! She even ran to the lost and found at the information hut to see if anyone had found them. Her final answer was waiting for her, and it was unbelievable.

Not Her Daughter

Credit: Mid Morning

Her little girl had nothing to do with the loss.

It turned out, they had fallen out of her pocket while she was washing her hands in the bathroom. They had tumbled on the floor. Someone had found them and left information for her to get them back. But the good samaritan would end up making her heart melt.

Another’s Daughter

Credit: Mid Morning

Caitlin waited in the parking lot for her savior.

A little girl, no older than her daughter jumped out of an SUV and raced to her, holding out the rings with a huge, toothy grin. This child had found her precious rings … and knew immediately what she wanted to do with them.

Stunned, But In A Good Way

Credit: Mid Morning

The girl’s father strolled over with the same bright smile and a glow of pride.

Caitlin listened with amazement how he explained the girl never thought, even for a moment, of keeping them. Her immediate reaction was to find the owners because they looked “special and important and pretty.” But that wasn’t all.

Integrity And Character

Credit: Mid Morning

The little girl’s mom wasn’t there, but she had brought her words with her.

“It’s what we do when people aren’t watching is what makes our integrity and character.” The little thing knew immediately she wanted to do the right thing. Tears welled up in Caitlin’s eyes as she threw her arms around the little girl. She also had a special gift ready for the amazing tot.

A New Ring

Credit: Pexels

It wasn’t worth a lot, but Caitlin’s daughter said the girl would like it because it was pretty and sparkly.

She handed over the new ring to the little girl – a gift and thanks for being so special. The smiles that were had in the parking lot that day would stay with both families forever.

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