Commentary
Just as a preface, this story has a point. Mainly that there are lessons I learned early in life that have stood me in good stead. Such as the need to be patient and calm when things are going sideways, and also to keep my mouth shut unless I have something of real value to add. And lastly, I learned about charity from a great man. So, on to the story.
I was born in an Air Force hospital in 1958. Yep—I’m the wheeziest geezer you probably know. And when I retired from the Air National Guard in 2018 I was the oldest member of the Indiana National Guard (Army and Air). My dad was a crew chief, and my grandfather was a crew chief in the Army Air Corps in World War II. I had relatives in both the Union and Confederate armies as well as some who served in the War of Independence. As far as I know, none of them distinguished themselves “above and beyond” which for sure included myself. Maybe I’m wrong, but I think we are all best categorized as those who served to the best of their ability….