One Father's Commitment

As we prepare to honour our fathers, brothers, uncles, grandfathers, etc.; I came across 2 fascinating true stories about dads. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did.




TWO STORIES BOTH TRUE - and worth reading!!!!

STORY NUMBER ONE Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago . Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.Capone had a lawyer nicknamed 'Easy Eddie.' He was Capone's lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie's skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big, but also, Eddie got special dividends. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block.Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and ga ve little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him. Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object.And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong.. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was.Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn't give his son; he couldn't pass on a good name or a good example.One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie wanted to rectify wrongs he had done.He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al 'Scarface' Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great..So, he testified.Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay. Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine.The poem read:' The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop at late or early hour... Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time. For the clock may soon be still.'

STORY NUMBER TWO World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O'Hare.He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific.One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank.He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship.His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet.As he was returning to the mother ship he saw something that turned his blood cold: a squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding its way toward the American fleet.The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert themfrom the fleet.Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 calibers blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible and rendering them unfit to fly.Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction.Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier.Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet.He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft. This took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action Butch became the Navy's first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor.A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His home town would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man.So, the next time you find yourself at O'Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch's memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It's located between Terminals 1 and 2.SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?Butch O'Hare was 'Easy Eddie's' son.

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Three Nights of Frances

Perhaps some of you can relate to the relative from hell. You know, the one who rarely calls to check on you; but when they do call, it's to give you an assignment to benefit them? Well I walked into this one completely by accident. Isn't that the way it always is?

I ran into this girl at the bedside of a very seriously ill uncle we have in common. She does not drive and, since she was en route to visit my mother who is wheelchair bound, I gladly offered her a ride; even though I was on my way to work.

Cuz doesn't have to work because she is mentally disabled, but far from stupid!

When I deposited my charge, I promised that I would help her to procure groceries on Monday. I dutifully mapquested the directions and, after my nightshift ended, made my way into a very depressed looking neighborhood.

Up and down the street I went, into this complex and that. I even entered a set of condos 'from the $120's'. In the less prosperous areas, people were actually sitting outside, but no one knew of the apartments I sought when inquiries were made.

Fearful of getting out of my car to use a pay phone --- I have no cell phone ---, I made it home and called her. 'Oh Lord,' she hollered. 'I'm hungry! I don't have any food!' It didn't occur to me that she hadn't asked about my safety as she sat safely tucked away in her apartment until later. I promised to come by the next night AFER taking care of my mother, AFTER work.

This time I went to the correct end of the same (divided) street, stumbling about in the darkness with a big purse and in my flip flops; at a time when gas prices are elevated and the temptation to rob almost predictable. I bravely asked 2 brothers for building X but again, nobody knew anything. I began to think I was the police.

Well, another long trip home, a screaming and hollering retort; but this time my children bore witness. 'Mom, you are being made a fool of being so nice,' they warned. Did I listen?

I took my cousin an envelope full of money by en route to work the next day, cautioning her that she would have to get to the store on her own. Granted, she has brothers who are doing what I'm doing, I'm sure; I was just trying to help a sistah out. After all, when she was born, I was in high school!

Hint to the wise: When your well intended good deeds begin to interrupt your peace of mind, drop those deeds immediately.

I HAVE!

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You're Not Late Until You Get There..............

My father was known for saying funny things. Often he would quip, 'You're not late until you get there. Until then, you are absent!' My brother and I never knew whether this comment had been derived from dealing with the Mailhandlers' Union over which our father presided, or if he was just being funny.

After all, we were required to work from early ages and to take that work seriously. It was in our best interest to take work seriously for our father was very strict about it. For this reason, we both became faithful and dutiful Federal employees of 20+ years now.

Our father was also strict and dutiful about saving leave, i. e. time saved for off time. My brother became dutiful in this regard. Me? I could take it or annual-leave it. See, in the Federal government you have different types of leave: sick leave, annual leave, Family Medical leave, leave without pay, absent without leave, etc.

So for my own peace of mind, I had to invent my own: slick leave.

Do you ever get up, start getting ready to go to work and realize, 'Hey, I have absolutely nothing to contribute to a job today,'? Do you feel otherwise healthy, until you start getting ready to leave for work? ARE YOU JUST PLAIN SICK OF IT? Then do us all a favor, take some slick leave.

Slick leave falls somewhere between being sick of it but not physically incapacitated, and being mentally incapable of putting that best foot forward. Why ruin the day of your colleagues with your negativity? Do yourself a favor and opt for slick leave. Even your unsuspecting boss will thank you for the break when you return the next day looking refreshed and happy.

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What Could Be More Important?

In a world where we are constantly bombarded by noise, radios, television (the stupid box), traffic and useless people; we can be hard pressed to find a little quiet time, solitude even. I don't know about you, but I cherish my alone time. After all, I deserve it.

Here are some of the activities that keep me out of the heart attack zone: reading, praying (usually praying that I don't cuss somebody out who really, REALLY deserves it), spending time with sick and elderly family members, cleaning, eating whatever I want, listening to music and teaching piano to my granddaughter.

I always make time for myself at the computer (obviously), making improvements to my very helpful and informative sites: http://www.forex4free.org/?ref=Allemap and http://www.allemap.blogspot.com/.

Even when I'm in the midst of ripping and running the streets, going to work, visiting sick people, or taking care of my family; I always fast forward my mind to what I'll be doing for ME at some point. Believe you me, it keeps me going!