Couple inspired by man’s determination to celebrate with mother

WASILLA — Chuck and Cindi Graham like to tell a story to their friends that’s made their Thanksgiving week more special.

It involves a young man they only know as Justin, a turkey and what would have been a long hike to Anchorage.

On Tuesday, the Grahams were driving from their home in Wasilla to Eagle River around 10 a.m. when they passed by a young man walking on the side of the Parks Highway just past the Seward-Meridian Parkway Exit.

It was Cindi who had a gut feeling about the man, who they’d soon learn to call Justin, and urged Chuck to turn around and pick him up.

Now, it’s important for this story to remember the Grahams’ rule: “We never pick up hitchhikers,” Cindi said Wednesday. Chuck even opined they might be dead before they ever made their destination.

Like so many others who travel the roadways, the idea of letting a stranger ride in a vehicle with them was something the Grahams had written off long ago. But something funny happened when Justin opened the door.

Before he stepped into the Grahams’ truck, Justin plopped a turkey down on the seat.

“What’s up with the turkey?” Cindi asked.

The young man replied that he was taking it to his mother’s house in Anchorage to celebrate Thanksgiving with her. Only problem was, Justin didn’t have a car, so foot power was the only way for him to make it to the city.

Bound and determined, Justin was about to walk a road many motorists fear driving, especially in winter.

At first, Cindi and Chuck were only going to take Justin as far as Eagle River, but hearing his story they decided a quick trip to Anchorage couldn’t hurt.

“I guess he probably would have walked if he had to,” Cindi said. “I thought it was just kind of a heartwarming story to think of a boy wanting to get that far.”

Anchorage is about 50 miles from Wasilla.

Efforts to contact Justin on his cell phone were unsuccessful prior to press time Wednesday.

He and the Grahams may never met again. But even if they don’t, the couple said they have been touched by what they call the kindness of Justin and the apparent devotion he has for his mother.

Chuck said the experience reminded him of the 1930s Depression Era, with people helping other people with unselfish acts.

As far as she can tell, Justin was “a nice young man,” Cindi said.

Since Justin ended up not being a murderous hitchhiker, but one with a tale that left such an impression with the Grahams, the couple will have a more meaningful Thanksgiving this year, they said.

All because of a man willing to walk to Anchorage to share a meal with his mother.

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.