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Why I Changed the Numbers (13 to 213) in my Blog and Store Name

I did it. I changed the name of my blog and store—from Country Station 13 to Country Station 213. If you’re wondering why, here’s the story behind those numbers—and why one of them means a little miracle to me.

The Meaning Behind the Numbers

When I began teaching, my first classroom was Room #13, a nod to where it all began.

But 13 has a reputation, doesn’t it? Superstition aside, another number nudged at me: 213. It’s the number of my father’s battalion in the Korean War. And here’s what makes it unforgettable—despite being in active combat, no one in the 213th Battalion died in the line of duty. Not one.

A Legacy of Service and Prayer

My dad served overseas with the National Guard’s 213th Battalion. There have been documentaries about their deployment. And over the years, I’ve heard many versions of what happened—each story slightly different, but the outcome the same: every man came home.

At my father’s funeral, my cousin Jack shared something powerful. He also served in the 213th at a later time from my father, but not in Korea. He said “Not everyone in that unit was particularly good or religious—but every one of them was spared.”

He recalled a moment when some Korean POWs reportedly said, “We shoot, but you no fall.” (That line still fires hope in my heart. I’ve even heard similar things said about George Washington in battle.)

Jack believed something sacred was happening. Their commander, Frank Dalley, had made a promise to God: he would pray 15 minutes a day for guidance and for every man in his care. Every. Single. Day.

And every single man returned.

My Father’s Faith

At the time, my father wasn’t a member of any church. In fact, his father had left the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and didn’t allow his children to join until they were grown. But after he returned home, my dad was baptized in 1952.

That experience—coming home safe, maybe even miraculously—shaped something in him. And now, all these years later, it’s part of the reason I chose to shift from 13 to 213.

Why I Believe in Prayer

I believe sincere prayers are heard—regardless of religion. Gandhi once asked the people of India to fast and pray for the British to leave. They did.

Some things, we just can’t explain. And maybe we don’t need to.

Closing Thought

So if you’ve seen Country Station 213 pop up and wondered where 13 went—this is where. It’s not just a number change. It’s a story, a memory, and a quiet reminder that maybe miracles still happen.