Cal Inspection Bureau is proud to support various charitable organizations.

K9s for Warriors is a charity which benefits two things close to our heart. This charity trains rescue dogs to be companions for veterans with post traumatic stress disorder. If you have checked out our blog page you will notice Emil’s fascination with our country’s history, especially WWII. Emil’s father served honorably in WWII. We just don’t think we can do enough to help those that have served our country and if you can save an animal in the process, well it doesn’t get much better than that!!

Saddles for Soldiers is a charity which is somewhat similar to Canines for Warriors. This organization is located very near the offices of Cal Inspection Bureau. Their mission is to implement an expansive therapeutic equine program using horses to facilitate healing, learning and growth for soldiers with post traumatic stress disorder. As you may know, our Vice President, Sharon Frisch, is an avid horse enthusiast. This charity touched her heart. We are proud to be supporters of such a worthy cause.

Why these charities matter to Emil Moskowitz

When it comes to alcohol I am a lightweight. One glass of wine and I start to think I am a long lost member of the rat pack, only without the money, cool, or good looks. So you can imagine New Orleans isn’t my idea of a fun city. You don’t see me wondering around Bourbon Street with a “hurricane” in my hands, howling and throwing beads at hot girls. Not only will they not flash me, but I know I would miss the girl and hit her enormous boyfriend with the beads and well, did I mention that I was a lightweight when it comes to fighting?

So what else is there for me to do in New Orleans? Well, a lot, actually. I took a walk over to the World War II museum. Turns out it is THE World War II museum of the whole country. In New Orleans! Not Washington, D.C. My dad was in World War II. My dad is my best friend. He wasn’t in any battles, didn’t see any action. Not any that he will tell me about anyway. I think he spent his time in the army in Texas and Georgia. I am still enormously proud of him. He served his country, more than I ever did. And few people appreciate the fact that the Nazis and the Japanese army never successfully attacked Texas or Georgia. As far as I am concerned, my dad is a hero. Texans and Georgians owe my dad a lot.

So I am walking around the museum and the displays are incredible. There are videos, pictures, documents, the whole time period is brought to life. It is a place of honor I think. A place where service to our country is appreciated. A place to be thankful. I was looking to buy my dad a cool “veteran of world war II” hat. Every place I went people said “thank your dad for his service” I was so proud of him, so proud to be his son. No protecting the shores of Texas/Georgia jokes in this place. There were also a couple of little old men; they kinda looked like my dad. They were veterans, but they saw the real action, D-Day, Pearl Harbor. I sat down and talked to them. I told them about my dad. “Make sure you thank him for his service” the first man said. “I will for sure” I said, and I was starting to get emotional. “But you were in D-Day, I cant even imagine that” He was just a kid and he was dropped 20 miles behind enemy lines, five hours before the D-Day attack. “I had the Germans all to myself for five hours” he told me. No wonder we won the war. This guy is tough; he could beat the Germans all by himself.

“You were in D-Day” I repeated. That must have been so scary. “Weren’t you scared to be there?” I asked. He had a matter-of-fact answer for me. No doubt the same look and attitude he took when he was dropped behind the German lines. “Everyone has got to be somewhere, son.”

Everyone has got to be somewhere. Damn, this guy is braver than me (who isn’t?) and smarter than me too. It’s perfect though, you know. Just perfect. Accept the situation you are in, resolve it, move on. Appreciate what you have. I have a clearer insight into my dad’s generation and all of the other heroes that have given us the great life we have.

So has this epiphany made me suddenly brave and able to easily deal with life’s adversities?? Hmmmmmmm, maybe.

Well, don’t expect to read about me being dropped behind enemy lines or being part of any massive land invasion to free Europe.

I am going to start small.

Give me those beads!! Hey, flash me!! Oh, I hit your boyfriend?

Deal with it.