Daring helicopter rescues. Planning sessions at misty, windy base camps. For 16 years, Debby relied on her Squall Jacket to ward off chills and showcase her spot as a member of Seattle Mountain Rescue. Now the coat is ready for retirement.
We first met Debby in the fall of 1996 (that's her in the top row, third from the left) when we took this photograph. It appeared in our catalog along with a brief story about how this rugged group of volunteers came to select Lands' End Squall Jackets:
"We wanted a jacket for team building, something we could all wear on our own time, too. We got talking about functionality, looking nice, putting a logo on. I live in Lands' End clothes so I suggested the Squall," said Doug, who was Chairman at the time.
We gave each of the volunteers a new Squall for the photo. After a few noble attempts to prolong its life, Debby is ready to let her "old faithful" go. We found out about her jacket's service record when she posted this comment on our Lands' End consumer site:
"I reluctantly replaced my faithful Squall Jacket I've had for decades. It was given to my Mountain Rescue unit for posing for a Lands' End corporate catalog...The body and liner of the old jacket are still fine. The knitted sleeves were replaced and now the knitted waist has lost its elasticity. It's warm and fairly water resistant. Good for standing around a cold base camp while managing a mission. Too warm for running up a trail!"
Since Debby's work is far from done, we're sending her a new Squall. "I think I'll stick with red. It's more visible."
We wish you the best, Debby. Hope to hear from you in another 16 (or so) years.