Hometown Brandon - Winter 2015

H o m e t o w n L o v e
brandon
Johnny Beck
Have you ever been asked a simple question
that had such an obvious answer, only to realize
how complex it could be to explain it? Someone
once asked me what I love about Brandon. The
answer as a child was, “everything”. After growing
older in our beloved hometown, I later realized
we have a few imperfections and that maybe that
answer was no longer 100% accurate. But after
compiling over 500 different aspects that keep
me in love with Brandon, the answer became
once again simple. It’s the people.
This is the eternally true answer to thousands
of people’s answers as to why we all love Brandon.
Young and old, native or newcomer, married or
single, with children or empty nesters, we can
easily see the impact our fellow citizens, neighbors,
families, friends, and co-workers have upon our
community.
Ever been to Shiloh Park on a Saturday during
athletic tournaments? How about for the massive
Easter Egg hunt? Try cooling off at the Splash Park
on a sultry summer weekend. Have you ever
driven around the downtown area neighborhoods
to see the charming homes and the more recently
newer developments? Did you ever get a haircut
when Mr. Walters was downtown? Ever stood in
downtown Brandon for a homecoming or
Christmas parade?
Have you ever seen your neighbor cleaning
their yard? Ever seen someone picking up litter
along the roadside? I know you’ve seen the
countless organizations collecting money at the
main downtown intersection on Saturdays. Ever
seen someone else helping elderly ladies with
their groceries? Or seen a sign that reads “Missing
Dog” with a picture beneath it—only to see that
sign replaced a few days later that reads “Found
Mack, please call this number”? Who has
participated in election campaigns, raised money
for school equipment or donated blood at Kroger
to help a young man earn his Eagle Scout rank?
The list goes on and on.
Now, as an aging young adult, the decision to
return home to Brandon, rather than forge ahead
to larger cities, has proven to be the wise option.
There really was never a decision, to be honest.
Brandon has provided me the best life experience
one could ask for. We were never in danger as
children because of the local leaders and law
enforcement, as well as the citizens who hold those
leaders accountable. Running all over Crossgates
(and I truly mean the entire development from
Timbers II back to the Hills) and parents not
having to worry what you were doing or where
you were.
We received the best educational experience
possible. The athletic coaches at BHS in the ‘90s
taught us how to be model citizens, leaders, and
how to do the right thing—even when nobody
was looking. We had a church on every corner.
When asking Amber where she wanted to live
after we married, she firmly replied, “Brandon.”
She understood my roots were here, everyone
seemed to attend church, and were engaged in
their children’s lives. She now understands why
many of us claim Brandon to be “the center of the
universe”. Everything we know and are is traced
back to our upbringing here in this unique
community. Amber and I are excited to raise our
newborn Madelyn Rose in that same nurturing
and compassionate family community.
Our Brandon is where people stand up for
Christianity, even when facing the Supreme
Court. It’s where we play for championships in all
ages of athletics and where we help remove trees
from a neighbor’s roof before our own. It’s where
we help people in need even when our needs are
greater and where there’s no room to stand on the
road to welcome home our military from overseas
deployments. Brandon is where the American
flag flies on the back of pickups and where the
crowd at Louis Gene Strickland Field sings “How
Great Thou Art”. It’s where our word is still more
important than a credit score, and our neighbors
a called friends. It’s where the most of America
longs to live—but doesn’t even realize such a
place exists anymore.
These are a few of the reasons I fell in love, and
remain in love with my hometown of Brandon.
It’s the best city, in the best county, in the best
state, in the greatest country—anywhere!
Eternally Grateful, Johnny Beck
Hometown Brandon • 35