Much Deserved Tribute to Greatness

The other day I watched something I never thought I would see. I saw a young man (20 something) disrespect an old man ( my Dad's age). The older guy was having car trouble and the younger guy was in a hurry to get wherever he was going. Instead of helping, the young guy kept honking and screaming for the car to be moved. I stopped, crossed the road and helped push the vehicle out of the way. At the earliest possible point, this youngster, squealing his tires and screaming obscenities at the old man, sped off. I got his tag number and am copying him on this ( a police friend ran the tag). I called for a tow and waited with this elderly gentleman until help came, I offered a ride and was turned down saying I had done enough. As the Tow truck pulled off with the man riding shotgun, I thought about the guy and his life. I followed to a repair shop and asked. He is a living Marine. He fought in Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal, Taipei, and other places he didn't/wouldn't mention. He has a Purple Heart and a Congressional Medal Of Honor. This is a man that above should be respected and admired for his contribution to society, yet this snotty nosed youngster was rude and disrespectful to him, without provocation or reason. He didn't even offer to help get the car out of the way for everyone. This Marine is about my Dad's age. I must do this......

This is something I should have posted earlier. I regret its delay, but it needs to be done. Memorial Day is a day set aside to remember the sacrifices for this country, and to remember the men and women that made them. I thank all our service people for their devotion to country ( I am not sure it is returned)and for their dedication to our freedom.

My Dad died on March 6, 2009. He was 85 years old. He was born in Montgomery Alabama. At 18 he started his college education, thanks to a ROTC partial scholarship, and was off to change the world as he knew it. Unfortunately for him, Mr. Hitler had some plans that would alter Dad's life drastically. The Auburn ROTC unit was called up and Dad entered the Army. He became a Lieutenant with around 500 men in his command. He fought through northern Europe and was also in France as the US troops marched on Berlin. He saw countless people die, saw areas destroyed. All of this affected him and his outlook on life from then on. I assume that the other fighting men and women saw and felt similar things, and again were changed from the fun loving folks of their youth into battle-hardened veterans that knew how to get a job done.

What I have learned recently is this. My fathers generation will always be known for their sacrifice. These youngsters left a docile world of farming, family and friends, some had college interrupted, but all left without hesitation and immediately went to do their job. Many, if not most, did not return and get to finish their lives. Those that did manage to come home found this world different because of what they had lived and again managed to find an odd-fit into society and to go about their business. College was finished, marriage, kids and so on but to a man, they just moved on because it was how it was supposed to be done. No fanfare, no parades, nothing.

I thought back to a service they had at my son's elementary school years back. The school asked for military family members to be honored. All branches were represented. Dad, with the rest of the Army folks stood as the Army fight song played. As he sat, the old guy next to him, a Naval aviator leaned in and said thanks, it was returned and that was the end of the conversation. That's how they lived and that is how they should be remembered. Silent, honorable men full of class and character. Honor and devotion to a fault, committed and full of pride, but most of all guys that would, at the drop of a hat, get the job done - regardless. My hat is off to them.

I will always remember the day early last week that started this. I hope we all can learn from this. Ed, David, et al, my thanks for your devotion to country, and for continuing a legacy of giving and sacrifice. We need more people like you guys!