I really never imagined that listening to an elderly man recount his war days would lead to where it led. Today, Comer Hawkins will be sitting with me at Park Road books in Charlotte, from 2-3 pm, signing copies of his war and life story, which I spent a year writing. I still cannot fathom the courage and sacrifice of our veterans. I could not imagine sending my own sons to do what my friend Comer had to do in WWII. He did what he had to do without complaining, because it was his country that needed him. He would do whatever he needed to do to be sure that the enemy never flew over his dear mama's home. The e-book, free today, is currently #1 in Christian Living, and #3 in WW2 books. Not bad for a story that I first learned of by driving a couple of sweet old people around Charlotte so they could get outside of the nursing home and see the azaleas bloom.
I learned many things, only some of which concerned WWII. The main thing I learned was that the old people decaying, often unnoticed, in countless nursing homes have stories to tell that we should all be enraptured to hear. We should all be flocking in droves to those Homes, begging them to impart their experience, their wisdom, their wild and often completely unexpected tales. If we don't, honestly, it is our loss.
Happy Veterans Day, and to all you veterans, Thank You for your service and my freedom.
Leviticus 19:32 (NIV)
“ ‘Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.
-save a dog- hollowcreekfarm.org
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