WWII Vets
Although this entry has nothing to do with hiking…I thought I might share this experience, since a large number of vets hike the trail
Anyone who knows me personally, knows that when I see a WW2 Vet ( usually identified by their proud display of the baseball cap identifying them as such ) I get a lump in my throat and my eyes well up with tears - always!!! Not sure what triggers the emotion but it happens every time.
Today while getting my oil changed at the Ford Dealer, a WW2 vet walks in and sits in the waiting room with myself and about 6 others. He has obviously been fighting cancer recently, evidenced by the reddish maroon blotches on his arms, left by chemo treatments. he must have weighed all of 100 lbs.
We all sat there silently, after a bit a mention the tattoo on his arm.
" Must have been a sailor ? "
He proudly states " No, army, North Africa "
- after thanking him for my freedom. we began a conversation that took up 30 minutes of wait time. Don, was his name. 90 Years old - Loved baseball, football, boxing etc. ( although he was from Ny - Red Sox was his team ) We talked about his train trips to Cleveland in the 50’s and 60’s ( my home town ) to see pro sports and We talked about his entering the army at 18, and the fear that came when the fighter jets he was shooting down, from his 50 Cal. machine gun, came after him in the trenches. His wife of 50 years, and 10 years younger than he was, passed 3 years ago, 6 close friends that he made in those trenches are all passed as well…
The lump in my throat got bigger as he shared and the tears trickled as I came to appreciate this war hero in my presence. Thank you Don for sharing a few moments , and in those few moments, your life with me.
He left, and the service manager came over to me with my bill…I tried not to make eye contact as I talked with the service manager, I think he thought I was crying about my bill.
If there are any war vets, from any war reading this. I say thank you for your Bravery, for your Courage, for your Loyalty to God, Man and Country.
But Now for a brief moment, the Lord Our God has been Gracious in leaving us a remnant, a firm place in His Sanctuary, and so Our God Gives Light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage
_onefootin_