Rigors Of Mountain Plumbing

PMGoes Beyond Trades

Rigors Of Mountain Plumbing

Editor’s note: We received an e-mail from Amy Mayo Martin, W.E. Brown Inc., Charlottesville, Va., after she saw our October cover story on “The Rigors Of Mountain Hydronics.” Each year, the mechanical contractor supports members of our armed services in active combat and organizes donations during the holiday season so “that our guys can have Christmas, also!”

She recently received the following e-mail from her contact that made her think about the rigors of, in this case, mountain plumbing.

This little boy is playing in the water outside his home. A few weeks ago, nobody in this village of 5,000 had running water. We recently completed this project that brought water to 300 homes. This pipe scheme captures water in a mountain stream a few miles away and pumps it into this mountain village, located roughly 6,000 ft. above sea level.

The project was completed by the villagers and cost about $15,000. My engineers inspected it throughout its construction to ensure it was being assembled properly.

It is funny since none of the homes have water inside. They want it outside. The villagers say that water belongs outside because it is messy.

A lot of folks think that we are defeating the Taliban and Al Qaeda in gunfights. This is not so. We do have fights with them, a lot of them lately, and we haven’t lost one yet. But we are truly defeating this enemy,permanentlydefeating him that is, by providing hope to a long neglected population. We provide these folks hope. All the bad guys provide is more violence.


Lieutenant Colonel Mike Howard
3rd Squadron, 71st Calvary
Afghanistan

PM Goes Beyond Trades

The articles in PM have often been a source by this teacher to encourage brave young ladies to consider entering the trades. And many have. Ellen Rohr’s confident straight talk on the “mysterious” business world have inspired and will continue to inspire a number of young people to join the trades. I also credit Dan Holohan’s humorous, elegantly written columns, too. Dan’s eulogy upon his father’s passing has dissolved many of students to tears - too much pollen in the air or so they claimed.

The magazine itself is full of well-written articles that I have passed along to science and English teachers. Imagine - a trade magazine with value beyond the vocational universe.

Thanks for all you do for the trades. I fear the machinery of the world may be left to waste without those that know how to do.


Robert Burdett
Retired Educator
New Hampshire