20 September 2013

Chilly Morning, Tragedy, and a Hero Recognized

It was 27 degrees when I left home this morning, but the sun has come up & the blue skies are dazzling. The snow's still on the mountaintops, and the weatherman predicts a rain/snow mix for Sunday.

After putting in an hour at work, I went to the local tire shop this morning & got new snow tires installed. It's the first time in 10 years I've put them on in September, rather than mid-October, but as I mentioned yesterday, signs point to an early winter.

* * * * *

You won't see this story on your local news (because it didn't happen in New York, DC, or California) but a 38-unit apartment building here burned down yesterday. There are 100 or so folks looking for new homes & trying to rebuild their lives this morning.

Please keep them in your prayers.

* * * * *

And here's one good story, to round out the morning:

from www.adn.com

Arthur W. Owens, who served during WWII as a U.S. Army Technician Fifth Grade, is greeted after having been presented the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, and other medals for his heroic combat actions during a ceremony 68-years later at the National Guard Armory on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013. While serving in Germany, Owens’ tank was hit by an anti-tank shell on March 23, 1945. 

After evacuating the tank, he discovered that two of his crew was still in the tank. Although the anti-tank-gun continued to fire at the tank, he made two trips back to the tank and each time pulling one of the injured crew to safety. Owens was also awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four Bronze Service Stars, World War II Victory Medal, and the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp.

Hand salute!

8 comments:

Sandy Livesay said...

Rev. Paul,

Brrrr.......to cold for me......I still would like to wait until Nov, Dec, or Jan time frame for cold.

I've said a prayer for the families touch by this large fire and will keep them close to my heart.

Arthur Owens is what I call a true HERO!

Rev. Paul said...

Sandy, the onset of winter weather here is generally about six weeks before it gets to my friends & family in Missouri. You're not far from them, so it would be early November for you.

Home on the Range said...

I've got some pictures from a few weeks I spent flying around the Betttles area (not for hire, just for fun). I was amazed how quickly the landscape changed in August.

Rev. Paul said...

Very true, Brigid - although our change comes later (Bettles is 500 miles north of us), it does happen suddenly.

Chickenmom said...

Will keep those families in my prayers. I hope no one was injured. It's a shame Mr. Owens had to wait 68 years to recognized as a true hero. I wonder if the families of the men he saved were there to honor him also.
I would have worn out 10 cameras taking pictures of all that beauty that surrounds you. Your eyes must get awfully tired!

Cathy said...

Ya know . . . you can still see the fire in Arthur Owen's eyes. You can easily believe that he did the heroic things as recounted here.

Rev. Paul said...

Chickenmom, we're on our 4th camera - you're not wrong. :)

Cathy, that's been true of every WWII vet I've known.

Old NFO said...

At least he FINALLY got recognized before he was dead!