26 August 2013

43 Degrees & a Chance Encounter

That's the temp at the ol' homestead; good sleeping weather.


I did have one nice encounter at the fair yesterday. While standing in line for a pulled pork sandwich (BBQ, of course!), I met an older gent with a "World War II" ballcap. He saw mine at the same time ("Navy Veteran"), and we struck up a conversation.

He was a pilot who ferried "large aircraft" around the States, and then overseas. Spent of lot of time in B-17s, he said, including bringing the Memphis Belle home from England after her 25 successful missions over Festung Europa. From 1943 to 1946, he flew for the Lend Lease program, delivering bombers and cargo planes from Boeing Field in Washington to allies overseas, and to Alaska.

I stuck out my hand and said, "Thank you, sir." He got tears in his eyes and thanked me (he thanked me..!) "for remembering."


It's important, friends. They are The Greatest Generation, and we dare not let them down. They didn't falter in their struggle against totalitarianism - and neither must we.


Remember what we're in danger of losing, and step up your efforts.  Again.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great. Now I've dust in MY eyes, as well!
Thank YOU Rev. Paul, both for being there for me and reminding us of ours and others duty.
Good job, sir!

gfa

Rev. Paul said...

I believe any of us ... in this crowd, here in this little corner of the 'net ... would have done the same.

Stephen said...

So very true. God bless 'em.

Rev. Paul said...

Agreed, sir. Thank you.

Keads said...

Well done and thanks for the reminder.

Rev. Paul said...

You're welcome, Kelly.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

A resident in my town was at Normandy. I talk to him at the Rec Center. Great guy, and very humble.

Rev. Paul said...

Thank him for me, WSF. I've only known one other D-Day survivor, and he was a humble man, too. I suspect that surviving that carnage would humble anyone.

Old NFO said...

Amen...

Rev. Paul said...

Thanks, NFO.