One 4 burner electric stove, $75; push mower, $75; riding law mower, $150; china cabinet and dining room table with 6 chairs, $300. Call 748-4147 after 6 PM.

Western apparel (used) for women starting at $5.00 and up OBO, brand name shirts, pants, boots, hats, belts & buckles. Also, PAGEANT dress for sale, Gorgeous detail, toddler size 3-5, Effingham. Call 659-8950.

6’ x 12’ enclosed trailer with ramp, rear door, and side door. Full height. $1600. Call for more information, 596-8870.

A Salute to An All-American Independent Business Owner

By Genevieve Rogers

There's a photo hanging on the main wall in the lobby of All-American Glass that reads, "The United States - Love It or Leave It". If you walk around a bit, you'll also find images of the Twin Towers and 9-11, the American flag, and other patriotic symbols. American eagles line the deep red counter tops in the center of the room. Outside, a huge American flag flies high and proud atop a flag pole. It's usually the first thing you see when you round the bend on eastbound Highway 80 in Pooler, right before you get to Rogers Street.

The company is very patriotic and it's not ashamed to show it, from it's pictures all the way down to the red, white, and blue interior and exterior. But it's not the pictures on the wall or the patriotic colors that make this company All-American, it's the man behind it... Aaron Walker.

Mr. Walker is the type of man who makes a good first impression. Upon meeting him, I was greeted with a bright friendly smile, a firm handshake, and a kind voice. You can hear the pride in that voice as he walks over to a wall and points to a photo taken of the business when it opened back in 1987. There in the photo is a younger version of Mr. Walker, standing next to one of his glass trucks.

"Man, I was scared to death back then. I didn't know what I was getting into."

Any initial fears he had are long gone, as All-American Glass has become one of the most successful and beautiful glass shops in the Southeast. The company makes all types of glasswork, from mirrors and windows to shower doors and table tops. There are 18 employees, 12 of which work in the field, making, transporting, and installing the glass.

Jimmy "Jimbob" Rackley, one of these field employees, speaks very highly of his employer and friend of 25 years. The two men first met back in 1981 at Rick's Glass, when Jimbob was Mr. Walker's helper and trainee. Mr. Rackley began working for All-American Glass a little over a year ago and says that he's proud to call Mr. Walker his employer.

"The things that stick out most about Aaron are his honesty and generosity. You have to beat him to make him lie to you. He's the most honest person I've ever met. He's not above telling a client, 'Hey, I messed up, but I'll make it good.' If he tells you he's going to do something, he does it. And he goes out of his way to do things for his employees, to let us know that we're appreciated."

Mr. Walker worked for Rick's Glass for 16 years, until 1986, when he quit and decided to go into business for himself. His first shop opened it's doors on February 2, 1987. Originally located in the Sangrena Shopping Center on Highway 80 in Pooler, the shop moved to it's current location on February 2, 2002.

In addition to All-American Glass, Mr. Walker also owns three other businesses. Two of these businesses are located in the same building as All-American Glass and all three are operated by family members.

A&J Trucking, located off of Telfair Road and Chatham Parkway, is operated by his daughter, Jennifer Moye. The company has been in business for 10 years and has 34 employees. Jennifer says that the first two years were a bit of a struggle for the company, but Mr. Walker was there to help every step of the way.

"I would like to thank Daddy for standing by me when we entered into this company and not really knowing a lot about this industry. He was right there keeping me going through it. Now we've grown about three times the size we were when we started. I thank him and appreciate him very much for everything he's done."

Walker Welding & Trailer Repair, located inside All-American Glass, is operated by Dwain Walker, Aaron's brother. The business opened up three years ago and was originally located between I-95 and Dean Forest, but moved into an addition to All-American Glass in May 2006.

A&A Connections Inc. is operated by Aaron's stepson, Brian Arendes and is named for Arendes' two children - Austin and Ashlyn. A&A Connections, which is an exclusive Alltel authorized agent, is the newest business, having only been open since January of this year. The company sells phones, accessories, plans, and accepts payments.

Arendes likes to compare his stepfather with an old football coach he had in school. "He would tell you what he was thinking, whether you wanted to hear it or not. And man, sometimes I hated that guy. But you know what? When he left, I cried like a baby. I learned a lot from him. Aaron's the same way. You may not like what he says at the time, but if you know his character, you know that in the long run, you gotta trust him because he can see the bigger picture. He can see the end. Everything he does, he does at 110%. Nothing is halfway and if he can't do it right, then he won't do it at all. He wants and strives to be the best. "

And it's that vision that's made Mr. Walker such a success and an asset for the city of Pooler and West Chatham. In addition to the jobs he's created from his businesses, he also gives back to the community. An Effingham Little League softball team he sponsors has just made it's way into the Little League World Series. He also sponsors other youth recreation programs, a men's softball program, and a mud-bogging truck.

"Aaron is an awesome person. He has done so much for the community of Pooler, as well as helping us get our businesses started. The one thing that Aaron has gained through all of his families and employees is his trust. He would never have you do anything that he wouldn't do with you or hasn't done already. That is important because when someone will do that, you gain all the trust in the world for him," says Arendes.

Speaking to any of his employees and family members, you sense the trust they have in Mr. Walker. They speak of how honest he is and how he would do anything for anyone. They tell how much fun he is to be around and how much of an inspiration he is, through his strong work ethic and values. There's an overwhelming sense of respect, admiration, and love for him.

At the end of our interview and on my way out the door, I stopped to ask Mr. Walker how he came up with the name for the business and if there was a reason he picked it.

"Because I'm an American. I'm an American who loves my country. I've very patriotic. I support our military. I'm for the red, white, and blue. I just love being an American."

This country would be a better place if there were more Aaron Walkers in it. People who loved their country, took pride in the freedoms we have, people who just worked hard to make their lives and those of everyone around them better.

So from your family members, employees, and everyone in the city of Pooler and West Chatham...

Thank you, Mr. Walker. And God bless.