(Originally posted on 6/29/05)

We don't get many phone calls from Afghanistan, but a very special one came today.

Joe Yeager is stationed there. He was supposed to be home by now, but there was a delay.

And today is his wedding anniversary.

Joe had plans to bring his family to Holiday World to celebrate. His question: Could we somehow get a greeting to his bride and children? (Now before everyone else starts planning signboards and announcements: we do not do this. There are so many birthdays and anniversaries, it would be pure insanity trying to satisfy everyone.)

But Joe Yeager is serving our country. And his family sacrifices daily; they miss him a lot. They had plans to be together today, their special day.

So Joe figured out the NBT (Next Best Thing). Rick, our graphic artist, whipped up a quick sign and affixed it to the back of a "sandwich board." It was placed by the entrance gate in the hopes Joe's family would see it as they left for the evening. And they did. 

Here's her story: We met several years ago, right after my dad and I moved to Corydon (Indiana) from California. I went into a store to rent a movie and asked the clerk, "What's fun to do around here?" Her future husband replied, "Absolutely nothing -- except Holiday World. Wanna go?"

Real smooth, Joe!

Back to Deborah: I told him I had a boyfriend, but thanks anyway. A year or so later, I was working at Subway and he came in. We each thought the other looked familiar, but it took us a minute to remember. All of a sudden, we both said, "Holiday World!" and started laughing. This time I said "yes" when he asked me out. So Holiday World has always been "our place." After we got married a year ago, we even honeymooned here. Joe left for Afghanistan soon after. He's due home any day.

And guess where they'll be heading soon after? (We couldn't possibly make this stuff up!)

God bless our servicemen and servicewomen all around the world. And the families who love them. And miss them. And happy Independence Day to us all!

Today was a big day for these fellas ...

... these "dummies" caught the first flight of The Raven for the 2012 season.

Dummies? I think not!

To celebrate their raucous return to the station (and yes, they were armless pre-flight), let's give away a pair of tickets, shall we?

Take a look at these pasty-faced gents. The two in front look relaxed, if a bit stunned.

But those two in back - see how one is leaned in toward the other? What's that dummy saying?

It's "crunch time" here at the park, so we need a good laugh. Make us LOL and you could win a pair of tickets.

Here's what to do:

1. Give us sass. Give us silly. Give us snark. But keep your "Dummy Dialogue" family-friendly, okay?
2. We called it "Dummy Dialogue" because we have an unhealthy alliteration affinity (see?); it can be Dummy Monologue if you prefer. We like one-liners, too.
3. You must be 13 years old or older to be eligible.
4. Holiday World & Splashin' Safari employees (and their immediate family members) are not eligible. (Quit complaining! You earn plenty of free tickets during the season - let these other nice folks win some tickets once in a while.)
5. To enter, post your Dummy Dialogue as a comment here on this HoliBlog post. Don't worry if it doesn't show up right away, we moderate our comments. And we sometimes nap between 2 and 4am.
6. To be eligible, you must include your email address in the "email field." It won't show up publicly in your post, but it's how we'll notify you if you win.
7. Only one entry per blog "comment." If you're so incredibly witty that you have three entries, then you must post three separate comments. Don't get carried away, though; you're not that funny.
8. This contest runs through 12 noon CDT on Monday, April 2.
9. The judges' decision is final*.

* ... and we're no dummies!