Bluffton, SC

I wrote the other day about local attractions as a "Marketing Tool". Since that post, I have received feedback and read other blog posts that remind me that this particular attraction in Savannah, The Mighty 8th Air Force Museum, is much more than this. For me it is full of inspiring stories of the bravery and courage of ordinary young men faced with extraordinary circumstances. Each story helps me cope with the particular problems in our business and my life these days and frankly makes me somewhat ashamed of the extent to which I believe that I am facing tough times.

There were 10 men in the Mighty 8^th who received the Medal of Honor, an unprecedented number from one segment of the war effort. At the Museum, you can see the pictures and read the stories of why these men received the Medal of Honor, many posthumously. Here is one of those stories.

First Lieutenant Jack W. Mathis was born in 1921, in Texas and enlisted in the Army on June 12, 1940. He served in an artillery unit until he learned that his brother Mark had enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Jack Mathis immediately transferred into his brother's unit and received aviation cadet training at San Angelo, Texas. Both brothers were trained as bombardiers and upon graduation, Jack Mathis was assigned to the 303d Bombardment Group of the Eighth Air Force In England, where he flew 14 missions.

On March 19, 1943, Mathis, 21 years old at the time, was lead bombardier on a mission over Germany. The lead bombardier's role in these missions was critical. He was responsible for directing the bombing of the entire squadron. I will let the Medal of Honor Citation speak for itself:

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 359th Bomber Squadron, 303d Bomber Group. Place and date: Over Vegesack, Germany, March 18, 1943. Entered service at: San Angelo, Tex. Born: September 25, 1921, San Angelo, Tex. G.O. No.: 38, July 12, 1943.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy over Vegesack, Germany, on March 18, 1943. 1st Lt. Mathis, as leading bombardier of his squadron, flying through intense and accurate antiaircraft fire, was just starting his bomb run, upon which the entire squadron depended for accurate bombing, when he was hit by the enemy antiaircraft fire. His right arm was shattered above the elbow, a large wound was torn in his side and abdomen, and he was knocked from his bomb sight to the rear of the bombardier's compartment. Realizing that the success of the mission depended upon him, 1st Lt. Mathis, by sheer determination and willpower, though mortally wounded, dragged himself back to his sights, released his bombs, then died at his post of duty. As the result of this action the airplanes of his bombardment squadron placed their bombs directly upon the assigned target for a perfect attack against the enemy. 1st Lt. Mathis' undaunted bravery has been a great inspiration to the officers and men of his unit.

Jack's brother Mark was on base when the plane carrying his brother's body landed after the mission. At his own request, Mark Mathis was transferred into Jack Mathis' crew to replace him as bombardier. When the crew completed its tour of duty, Mark Mathis stayed in combat and was killed in action over the North Sea in May 1943.

Somehow, I don't feel that my own problems are quite so important after studying the stories of these brave young men, then and now. My father served with both Mark and Jack Mathis and I appreciate that but for a few events that went one way instead of another, I would not be here today.

These stories, help me face each day with much less self-absorption and before I do anything else, ask myself, "How can I be of help to someone less fortunate than me today?"

As a Realtor, lawyer and writer in Bluffton, South Carolina, I have often visited one of the most fascinating "attractions" in our area, specifically, the Mighty 8^th Air Force Museum in Savannah. It is of tremendous interest to many of my clients here and around the country who either were in World War II, or more recent wars, and the surprising number of people of my generation, the Baby Boomers, who have a connection to WW II through a parent or other relative.

My father was in the "Mighty 8th" and the following story appeared in papers throughout the country in August 2003

Watch Survives WWII, Follows Him Home - ASSOCIATED PRESS

EVANSTON, Ill. - Jim Hoel is glad to have his watch back, even though it had stopped working since he last saw it during World War II. The last time he remembers wearing the old Gallet chronometer was on May 17, 1943, the day he used it while navigating a B-26 Marauder before the bomber was forced to ditch in a canal in the Netherlands . He knows he no longer had the elaborate watch when he arrived at a German prisoner-of-war camp a few days later.

The watch arrived at his home last week in a package sent from England by a truck driver, Peter Cooper, 56, who found it in the possession of an elderly neighbor in the village of Kirton , 75 miles northeast of London .

"It's just eerie, isn't it? That was 60 years ago. I've sort of got gooseflesh," Hoel, 82, told the Chicago Tribune.

Cooper said the neighbor, "Tiny" Baxter, 89, told him his mother had given it to him.

"Whether she found it or it was given to her, I do not know," Baxter, a retired carpenter, said in a telephone interview.

The watch, an enlistment present from the bank where Hoel worked before the war, had his name and Evanston address on the back. Cooper was able to track him down at his new address using the Internet and friends who had contacts in the United States . He persuaded his neighbor to give the watch to him so he could forward it to Hoel.

Hoel said the B-26 was one of a flight of 10 that encountered heavy antiaircraft fire while en route to bomb a power plant near Amsterdam . He and three others of the plane's six crewmen survived. He spent the next two years in German POW camps.

The story was also published in our local paper, The Island Packet, and papers throughout the country. It has also reached "Ripley's Believe It Or Not!" I am currently working on a book about my father's entire story over time. Dad is now 87 years old.

To bring this back to real estate, I'm not selling many homes these days but I am meeting many people with fascinating stories themselves with less than six degrees of separation from our local treasure, The Mighty 8th Air Force Museum. Stories connect people and your local treasures will do the same.

You can read my about my father's entire World War II experience and the many things that have occurred after his "reunion" with his watch at the "War Watch" blog - http://warandtime.blogspot.com/

Reading through the morning online news today a recent article from Business Week entitled "Boomtown Slowdown" (click on- http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/article/106554/Boomtown-Slowdown) gave an overview of the top boomtowns in each of the 50 states.

I searched out the boomtown for South Carolina and low and behold wouldn't you know it, there was Bluffton, SC! Click on http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/02/0205_boomtowns/41.htm to see more.

There is lots going on in Bluffton. To find out more or to earch for homes online, click on http://teamfanning.com/ .

Check out the video of Bluffton http://www.travelistic.com/video/show/11017/Bluffton,-South-Carolina,-by-Erik-Hastings

I've lived and raised my family in Bluffton for the past 10 years. We love the lifestyle- the history, the rivers, the proximity to the beach and Hilton Head, Savannah and Charleston.

If you have any questions about this slice of paradise, let me know. I can be reached at http://teamfanning.com/

Hey guys, its not too late! But, it’s almost Valentine’s Day. It is the perfect opportunity to show her you love her and you can go on a Valentine’s Day dinner date without leaving your Sun City Hilton Head Home! This is not only inexpensive but it is a meaningful way to do something we men don’t do often enough.

Why Not Put Together A Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner

I am going to make this real easy—you won’t have to prepare all the food, or even use the over—microwave is all you need. If you want to use the oven, that’s OK. All you’ll need to do is just shop for the best prepared and tasty frozen dishes—but you have to carefully prepare the meal, present it as if you were at a restaurant and make it look great in the plate (I said this would be inexpensive but it will take some effort-- take a look at some cookbooks to get ideas)

[Photo is one of the many Valentine's Day Flags which can be seen hanging outside of Sun City Hilton Head Homes]

Here are some suggestions that are fast, easy and inexpensive which can make your dinner date a winner:

· For starters prepared spinach dip with soft Italian bread (cut up the bread into bite size pieces)

· Prepared Caesar Salad with Crotons and dressing

· Chicken Parmesan or other prepared main dish

· Chocolate Ice Cream Sundae Desert—with a heart shaped candy on top

· Wine or Sparkling Juice

· Use your best china and tableware

· Put a clean white table cloth on your dining table

· Flowers for the centerpiece

· Wine glasses (even if you don’t drink wine) add a touch of elegance

All you need to do is get out a couple of red candles and place them strategically on the table and you’re almost good to go. Add some dinner music. What kind of music might she enjoy with dinner? Let it play in the background.

After Dinner Go to a Movie at home instead of going out, rent a movie.

If you don’t live here and would like to know more about A Sun City Hilton Head Home I can help. Call me at 843-368-9146 or email me at john@j-march.com. Maybe next year, you’ll be celebrating Valentine’s Day here.

Rose Hill, Bluffton South Carolina, sits on 2000 acres in Bluffton, South Carolina. It is has two separate security gates, one for each half of the community on either side of Highway 278. One side is commonly called The "golf side" and other the "estate or equestrian side" There are about 1000 homes in Rose Hill.

Both sides are gated with 24 hour security. As you'd imagine the estate side has larger lots, starting at 1 acre and up to 3. There are some homes that have views of the Colleton River.

Equestrian Amenities: There are 3 Separate paddocks that are directly adjacent to Rose Hill's 7 miles of equestrian trails. There is also a state-of-the-art 32-barn Equestrian Center with polo fields Rose Hill Plantation holds anannual Equestrian Expo which includes a parade of horse breeds, and various competitions ,barrel racing demonstration, sidesaddle riding and a demonstration polo match. All of the proceeds of the go to charities like Ronald McDonald house, and the American Cancer Society as well as the Bluffton Historical Preservation Society.

Besides Rose Hill, there are other gated communities which offer equestrian centers as an amenity including Moss Creek, Oldfield and Rose Dhu Creek. If you'd be interested in exploring these, I will be happy to chat with about your needs and desires.

Golf: The Country Club side contains the golf courses and the Estates side with the equestrian center and Colleton River as well as many of the larger estate homes. Though Rose Hill has two golf courses, the premium equestrian center is one of its main attractions.

Rose Hill 2 Course
9 hole regulation length course
Public golf course
Bermuda grass

Rose Hill Golf Club
18 total holes

Golf Only facility
16 tees driving range
18 regulation holes

Rose Hill does have a POA fee of $1500 per year. There is also an initial $3500 Golf assessment plus, $500 per year dues that applies to all residents.