Mark Aylor

Christian, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Telecom Engineer, Music Lover, Craft Beer Enthusiast.

[Mark Aylor @MarkAylor]

@iamrodneysmith And this is why you are my hero, @iamrodneysmith. You are always positive and inspirational. I thank.God for you. May He bless you abundantly!

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

This lawn mower may not look like much to some people, but to me, it represents faith, kindness, and the beginning of a journey I could have never imagined.

When I started mowing lawns for FREE in 2015 for the elderly, disabled, single parents , and veterans, I didn’t even own a mower. I would ask the people I was helping if they had one I could use. As more people began reaching out, I knew I needed a mower of my own, but I was in college and didn’t have the money to buy one. I found this mower on Craigslist for $100 and messaged the gentleman asking what was the lowest he would take. Instead of giving me a price, he asked me one simple question: “Do you need a mower?” I explained what I was doing and why I needed it. His response was, “You can have it for free.” When I picked it up, he told me several other people had contacted him wanting to buy it, but for some reason, he chose to respond to me. I don’t believe that was a coincidence. I believe God was already making a way before I could even see where this journey was going.

That one act of kindness helped me continue serving people, one lawn at a time. Years later, what started with a young college student, a borrowed mower, and a desire to help others has grown into Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service and a movement that has inspired thousands of kids to serve their own communities. I may not remember that gentleman’s name, but I will never forget what he did for me. His kindness became part of this story. If you’re reading this, sir, thank you. You didn’t just give me a lawn mower—you helped give this mission a chance to grow. Never underestimate the power of helping someone when you have the opportunity. Your one act of kindness could become the beginning of something far greater than you ever imagined. 🙏🏾💚

[Mark Aylor @MarkAylor]

The network is becoming AI's hidden bottleneck, even carriers know it. Verizon Business's CPO on why networks are the real unaddressed constraint. https://t.co/YQv3fgy7YS

[Mark Aylor @MarkAylor]

Why the next AI race will be won at the inference layer https://t.co/6DoT1J5jw4

[Mark Aylor @MarkAylor]

@Quinn6d2 AI slop. He opened the door right through the lamp and table.

[Mark Aylor @MarkAylor]

Ciena has released its 2025 Sustainability Report. Read our report to learn more about our environmental, social, and governance programs and goals. #CienaLife #CienaCares #Sustainability #Environment https://t.co/fvzyiUQHob

[Mark Aylor @MarkAylor]

https://t.co/Itb877khxe

[Mark Aylor @MarkAylor]

Verizon touts $1B deal with Google to connect AI data centers https://t.co/dTqLHKKQ68

[Mark Aylor @MarkAylor]

AT&T braces for the agentic AI wave https://t.co/0BEO4JR2Ca

[Mark Aylor @MarkAylor]

Legacy networks weren't built for the speed and scale of AI—creating hidden bottlenecks that can limit performance. This article explains why modernizing your network is essential to unlocking AI's full potential. https://t.co/xprWKreJR0

[Mark Aylor @MarkAylor]

@TeamPillen @jim_pillen - @iamrodneysmith is an American hero. Please reach out and make arrangements to sign this mower. #Nebraska has a lot of kids in Rodney's program. Let's show them that we are grateful.

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, I would be honored if you would become the third governor to sign my American flag lawnmower. Governor Kay Ivey of Alabama proudly signed it first, followed by Governor Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma. My mission is to have all 50 governors sign it, then hopefully take it to the White House for one final signature before auctioning it off, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting nonprofits that support our nation’s veterans. It would mean so much to have Arkansas join this mission and help honor the men and women who have sacrificed so much for this country. 🇺🇸 @SarahHuckabee

[Mark Aylor @MarkAylor]

I just backed TROOPER | The Ball Your Dog’s Been Waiting For. on @Kickstarter https://t.co/etjiXLX09J

[Mark Aylor @MarkAylor]

Cignal AI says hyperscaler investment is "radically" reshaping the optical components market https://t.co/U0mxxuWYlk

[Mark Aylor @MarkAylor]

AI is officially rewriting the rules of network design. Here is why the 30-year-old download-heavy model is shifting upstream. https://t.co/72BT4FvEcD

[Mark Aylor @MarkAylor]

Please reach out to my hero @iamrodneysmith if you are in the #Omaha area and can help him out.

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

Triple A is here , headed to Bellevue tonight . Will look at the damage in the morning . I know the radiator was hit pretty bad, causing it to overheat. But it drives and turns on OK. No engine lights are on ( not sure if they would show in this type of situation ). I’ll keep you posted . Sleep well .

[Mark Aylor @MarkAylor]

Anyone near Craig, Iowa who is still up and can help my hero?

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

Tonight as I was driving , a deer ran out in-front of me . I’m ok, the van isn’t . Sadly the deer isn’t either . Currently stuck on the side of the road . My truck is overheating . I am in Iowa near the 94.2 mile mark . Anyone near ? I may need to have my van towed to their house for now until I can see if I can get to fix and fly home :(

I’m on I29 outside of Craig . I’m looking at the picture now, it was two deers . The bigger one did the damage . I see the small one now in the picture . I guess it was a baby deer and a momma deer :(

[Mark Aylor @MarkAylor]

@iamrodneysmith Wow! What an amazingly cool upgrade, @iamrodneysmith! Love it!

[Mark Aylor @MarkAylor]

@Monica55dzrh Her life.

[Mark Aylor @MarkAylor]

@iamrodneysmith Way to go, boys! Thank you for stepping up!

[Mark Aylor @MarkAylor]

@jim_pillen @TeamPillen - Can we please give @iamrodneysmith an invite to get his mower signed by you?

[Rodney Smith Jr @iamrodneysmith]

While at the State Capitol this morning, I asked @GovernorKayIvey if she would do the honor of signing my mower, and she did! Now my goal is to have all 50 governors sign it, and hopefully one day have it make its way to the White House as well. Eventually, I plan to auction the mower off and donate 100% of the proceeds to a veterans organization doing incredible work supporting our veterans. Who will be the next Governor to sign it ?