Our people: 'Doing the good Lord's work'

If you see Joe Hedglin around Clovis it's very likely he'll be around the Salvation Army on East Second Street.

"I'm doing the good Lord's work," Hedglin said about his volunteer work as he sat on the front porch of his home Tuesday.

The News spent some time with Hedglin learning more from this retired ejection seat and motorcycle mechanic.

Q: How did you come to be in Clovis?

A: The Air Force sent me here in '82, and I just stayed.

Q: Tell us about where you were born and where've you been?

A: I was born in Grove City, Pa. north of Pittsburgh.

I graduated in 1973 and joined the Air Force.

I trained at Lackland AFB in San Antonio and Chanute AFB in Illinois.

My first duty station was in Germany at Zweibrücken Air Base.

I went on to Luke AFB near Phoenix then here to Clovis.

I did two tours in Saudi Arabia in Desert Storm.

Q: Tell us about your family.

A: I was raised by my grandparents on a farm near Barkeyville, Pa.

Dorothy is my wife. This April we'll be celebrating our first anniversary.

It's on April 15. I chose tax day so I could remember it.

I have a son in North Carolina and a daughter in Portales.

Q: What jobs have you had.

A: In the Air Force I was an "air crew egress technician," I worked on ejection seats.

I worked on motorcycles longer than ejection seats.

I worked for High Plains Harley Davidson before they closed. They sent me to Milwaukee to learn how to work on Harleys.

Q: What was it about motorcycles that grabbed your attention?

A: I just always liked motorcycles.

I grew up around motorcycles.

My dad had a Harley. My uncle had an Indian. Later on my cousin had a Harley. He'd always take me on rides.

Q: You like to volunteer?

A: I volunteer at the Salvation Army. I put it in my heart to do that.

I'm doing the good Lord's work.

Q: What's your favorite place to vacation?

A: I love Arizona.

I visit my brother who lives north of Phoenix.

Q: How often do you make your bed?

A: I make my bed every day, something you get taught in basic training in the Air Force.

But now I don't have to bounce a quarter off it.

Q: Tell us something about yourself few people know.

A: I'm colorblind.

I'm allergic to pineapple, I get rashes.

I have a You Tube channel where I play country and gospel music on my guitar and harmonica.

Q: What's your favorite smell?

A: When my lilac bush at my house blooms once a year.

I love the lilac smell out in the open because when I was young it would take away the barnyard smell back home.

Q: What's your favorite dish?

A: That would be meat loaf.

There's nothing like meat loat, mashed potatoes and green beans.

My grandmother would make that on Sundays.

I miss my grandmother's cooking.

Q: Window or aisle plane seat?

A: It depends on the flight.

If it's a short flight, window, so I can see.

If it's a long flight, aisle, so I can get to the bathroom easier.

Speaking of flights, the two best I ever had were in an F-4 fighter jet and a glider.

What I remember about the glider is there's nothing like being in the air and just hearing the wind.

Q:

Who inspires you?

A: My cousin Chuck.

He loves motorcycle and playing the guitar.

He lives in Clearfield, Pa.

Q: What's your favorite saying or quote?

A: "We're not in charge, God is."

I also use it for when I'm running late.