We need to remember!

[Jo McDonald]

Is this a true story???  I have no idea.  I know only that it very well could be.


THIS IS THE BEST EMAIL OF THE DAY!!!!

  As I came out of the supermarket that sunny day, pushing my cart of groceries towards my car, I saw an old man with the hood of his car up and a lady sitting inside the car, with the door open.
The old man was looking at the engine. I put my groceries away in my car, and continued to watch the old gentleman from about twenty five feet away.
I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag in his arm walking towards the old man. The old gentleman saw him coming too, and took a few steps towards him.
I saw the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something. The young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a brand new Cadillac Escalade. He then turned back to the old man. I heard him yell at the old gentleman saying:
'You shouldn't even be allowed to drive a car at your age.' And then with a wave of his hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot.
I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief, and mop his brow as he went back to his car and again looked at the engine.
He then went to his wife and spoke with her; he appeared to tell her it would be okay. I had seen enough, and I approached the old man. He saw me coming and stood straight, and as I got near him I said, 'Looks like you're having a problem.'
He smiled sheepishly, and quietly nodded his head. I looked under the hood myself, and knew that whatever the problem was, it was beyond me. Looking around, I saw a gas station up the road, and I told the old man that I would be right back. I drove to the station and went I inside. I saw three attendants working on cars. I approached one of them, and related the problem the old man had with his car. I offered to pay them if they could follow me back down and help him.
The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree and appeared to be comforting his wife When he saw us he straightened up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics diagnosed the problem (overheated engine), I spoke with the old gentleman.
When I shook hands with him earlier, he had noticed my Marine Corps ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been a Marine too. I nodded and asked the usual question, 'What outfit did you serve with?'
He had mentioned that he served with the first Marine Division at Tarawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal ....
He had hit all the big ones and retired from the Corps after the war was over. As we talked we heard the car engine come on and saw the mechanics lower the hood. They came over to us as the old man reached for his wallet, but was stopped by me. I told him I would just put the bill on my AAA card.
He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that I assumed had his name and address on it and I stuck it in my pocket. We all shook hands all around again, and I said my goodbye's to his wife.
I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the station. Once at the station, I told them that they had interrupted their own jobs to come along with me and help the old man. I said I wanted to pay for the help, but they refused to charge me
One of them pulled out a card from his pocket, looking exactly like the card the old man had given to me. Both of the men told me then that they were Marine Corps Reserves. Once again we shook hands all around and as I was leaving, one of them told me I should look at the card the old man had given to me. I said I would and drove off.
For some reason I had gone about two blocks, when I pulled over and took the card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long, long time. The name of the old gentleman was on the card in golden leaf and under his name was written: 'Congressional Medal of Honor Society.'
I sat there motionless, looking at the card and reading it over and over. I looked up from the card and smiled to no one but myself and marveled that on this day, four Marines had all come together because one of us needed help. He was an old man all right, but it felt good to have stood next to greatness and courage, and an honor to have been in his presence. Remember, OLD men like him gave you FREEDOM for America . Thanks to those who served and still serve, and to all of those who supported them, and who continue to support them.
Remember, Freedom isn't Free. Thousands have paid the price, so that you can enjoy what you have today.

LET'S DO THIS: JUST 19 WORDS:
GOD OUR FATHER, WALK THROUGH MY HOUSE AND TAKE AWAY ALL MY WORRIES; AND PLEASE WATCH OVER AND HEAL MY FAMILY;AND PLEASE PROTECT OUR FREEDOMS, AND WATCH OVER OUR TROOPS, WHO ARE DEFENDING THOSE FREEDOMS.AMEN

   This prayer is  powerful. 

[thatsMRSc2u]

Very cool

[Ross]

Back in the sixties a friend of mine from the military was driving through Kansas when his car broke down in Salina. He had his wife and three children with him and on a very tight budget. His car needed a major repair, I don't recaall what, but he could not afford to pay for the repair. The repair shop told him not to worry about it. Parts had to be ordered so he and his family were put up at the local motel and they were not allowed to pay for it or their meals. The next day the parts came in to repair his car and they had to stay another night. When the car was ready the next morning he and his family recieved a grand send off.

That was during the Vietnam era.

I bragged all over the base about this story because I was born and raised here in Kansas and it made me real proud of our state. I knew the man and his family personally.

[Diane Amberg]

That's very nice to know. So many of our Viet Nam era military were treated terribly. It's nice Kansas folks knew better. I spent a good piece of the summer of '66 in Kansas. It was part of my college graduation gift from my parents before I settled into teaching. Little did I know a piece of Kansas would despise me later for my teaching. I guess I should have gone to Oklahoma and visited my Okie family instead. Very sad.

[Jane]

No one despises you BUT no one on earth likes someone that has done everything, been everywhere and has an answer for anything that is said on the forum. I know nothing, and have no answers for anything. I do have my own opinion but they are worth nothing and do not expect everyone to agree with me. So go's the world. I bet the Okie's would be the same as us Kansan's.

[Diane Amberg]

If I expected everyone to agree with me all the time it would make for very boring conversation.The give and take of ideas and cross pollination is wonderful. It's just sad when a few have to be so caustic and attack people personally when they don't all line up the same way.
My background lets me mingle easily in all kinds of company because I can get a conversation going and draw people out to talk about themselves and what they know and enjoy. You may see that as a pain but many see that as being very desirable.
   I certainly do think your opinions have value even if I don't always agree with you on everything. Don't put yourself down like that.
Yes, I have been a lot of places and I do like to talk about it. I have done a lot of things and have been fortunate to get to have a lot of neat experiences. BUT, I really like to hear about places other people have visited and all the things they do, have done and enjoy! Heck, I even enjoy looking at other people's vacation photos!

[Ross]

If I expected everyone to agree with me all the time it would make for very boring conversation.The give and take of ideas and cross pollination is wonderful. It's just sad when a few have to be so caustic and attack people personally when they don't all line up the same way.
My background lets me mingle easily in all kinds of company because I can get a conversation going and draw people out to talk about themselves and what they know and enjoy. You may see that as a pain but many see that as being very desirable.
   I certainly do think your opinions have value even if I don't always agree with you on everything. Don't put yourself down like that.
Yes, I have been a lot of places and I do like to talk about it. I have done a lot of things and have been fortunate to get to have a lot of neat experiences. BUT, I really like to hear about places other people have visited and all the things they do, have done and enjoy! Heck, I even enjoy looking at other people's vacation photos!

Sounds like you're an old foggy like me. but i prefer old fart. LOL
I've been around the block a few times and that's why I'm here where I am. To enjoy the beautiful country and people and pretend to ge a farmer/rancher. It's a lot of fun and I learn something new everyday. I'ev learned a lot about animal husbandry and putting up hay. But most of all I enjoy working for myself even though it doesn't pay. and I think I have a pretty good boss, we only argue occassionally. He says get up and get busy and sometimes he wins and sometimes I win. Ain't life grand.

[Diane Amberg]

I'm definitely an old foggy. sic (fogey) , but one of the fun ones.

[greatguns]

Someone does like people that know everything, has been places, has some intelligent answers.  Of course, I can only speak for this someone.  I even enjoy something positive on occasion.

[sixdogsmom]

Agreed!