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Oh my Peter, we have been walking  around all day shaking our heads about this movie you made. I did wonder after a bit why you kept the camera rolling and asking so many questions!  We thought your neighbors back home in Vermont would get really tired of this “ home movie.” You are such a dear heart, please come back to Whittier and visit us!  I did not know you taped my prayer for you. It seems like it touched a lot of hearts. May the Lord bless and keep you.Jeanette and Joe

“It takes a day to get married but it takes the rest of your life to stay married”. Wow. Very well said. So simple but it leaves such a deep meaning about a couple’s commitment to each other.

When she said “it takes one day to get married, it takes the rest of your life to stay married” I felt that.

Minnesotan here, growing up we would say " it could be worse. We could live in Alaska" so I think it's funny she just pointed out that Minnesota and Wisconsin have is worse 😂

"I hope I find someone nice to show me around" finds the nicest woman in Alaska

I spent the summer of 2008 hitchhiking with a backpack across Alaska. Camped along highways, national parks, urban areas, and occasionally staying with good people met by chance or on the road.

I found myself in Whittier for a few days, near the end of my trip. I was cold and tired, my boots and gear soaked with rain from the day prior. I was not looking forward to setting up my tent in the forest just above the building in this video. A local near the harbor mentioned a large bear was seen in the immediate area I had planned to camp, which made sleeping in a wet sleeping bag below a glacier even more severe.

I needed a dry place to think of an alternative plan and possibly hang dry my sleeping bag. This building was one of the few places in town to go and get out of the drizzling rain. I sat down in the front foyer where all the historical photos are (the chairs are now removed in this video). I was physically exhausted.

I met a woman who invited me down a hallway to the sailor’s meeting/support room and offered me a plate of food. She was kind. Asked me about myself and soon thereafter she had coordinated with someone else in the building to find a place I could sleep for the night. A bunk bed in a small room filled with non-perishable food (I think the church used it to store food bank donations). They would not accept any payment or reciprocal exchange.

I’d long forgotten her name and specific appearance, but Jeanette’s prayer with you at the end of this video pretty much confirms she was the kind person whom I met years ago. Remarkable to see this living memory virtually unchanged in 2022, and be reminded of that act of kindness all this time later.

Thank you for this video Peter, and thank you Jeanette for helping a weary young traveller from Canada!

Is anyone else amazed by the trust and love that these people have in this community?? This guy shows up completely out of no where and they are leading him through the halls, introducing him to loved ones, letting him in their homes!! So trusting and so pure <3 What a beautiful community <3

Those are two people you will never forget. I wish more people were like them in this world.

When the husband says “I’m sorry, please forgive me, and thank you, I love you” that’s a reference to a Hawaiian proverb called ho’opono’pono.
You can tell Hawaii means a lot to these two, their home is decorated just like it and the spirituality of Hawaii lives in them.

Jeannette and Joe are the two friends none of us knew we wanted. Whittier is lucky to have them.

After 50 years they are still happy and joking around, so heartwarming to watch these two

Being an Army vet I couldn’t believe this building was built for the soldiers especially in the 50s. Glad she corrected stating it was built for the officers. That makes more sense.

I don't know why someone hasn't realized to potential of turning many of the abandoned malls in America into self contained villages or towns. Like this example, it's the ideal use of an existing facility.

Her little prayer for Peter was one of the most moving and meaningful prayers I have heard in my 75 years on this planet and she is not even “a preacher.” Awesome, awesome, awesome lady. No “victimhood” here. A blessing.

“It’s not real life it’s Whittier, if you can’t fix it you have to accept it” this man is a real one

A lot of times you read about people’s mental health deteriorating in Alaska due to lack of social activity with other people. I feel like this helps solve that problem but in an extreme way

That was the most profound statement I’ve ever heard. It takes one day to get married and a life to stay married. What an amazing couple.

I'm from India and I have to say Jeanette is such a wonderful warm lady, that no matter how cold or isolated a place can be, amazing people like her can still make it feel welcoming and warm.

I love how she prayed for him, like it was the most natural thing in the world. What a precious thing.