MEMORIAL DAY REMINDER, THIS WAS NOT ME!

[grumpybob]

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 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 said that he served with the first Marine Division at Guadalcanal ,
Pelieliu, and Okinawa .He had hit three of the worst 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, as we approach another Memorial Day, OLD men like
him gave you, and all of us, 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.
America is not at war. The U.S. Military is at war. America is at the
Mall.

If you don't stand behind our troops, PLEASE feel free to stand in front of them! Remember, Freedom isn't Free. Thousands have paid the price.
GOD OUR FATHER, PLEASE PROTECT OUR FREEDOMS, AND
WATCH OVER OUR TROOPS, AMEN

[Jeriatric]

America is not at war.

The U.S. Military is at war.

America is at the Mall.



And has been for years.

[dave01]

Awesome story. Most people think Memorial day is just for cookouts. Coming from and being military, I still remember the true meaning.

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[gorcutt]

Thank you, Great story.

[Bob Denman]

Thanks for the timely reminder that Memorial Day is just around the corner...

FreedomFree.jpg

[Daisyjoe]

Thank you for this post! May we never forget the military men and women who fight to keep us free.

[bruiser]

I love a parade, unfortunately we won't have ours until Veterans Day. Hope you get pics. The Guardian Brotherhood will be setting out flags on Vets graves Saturday morning in four local cemeteries.

[ARtraveler]

Thanks for the post.

[GloryRyders]

Great story..................pray that we never forget!

[Bob Ledford]

For some strange reason Memorial Day is one of my worst days of the year since I contracted Parkinson's.......

[Oldmanzues]

I had a Boss one time, no more for several reasons, but one I will never forget. There is a local hour or so program on Memorial day. I asked her if they were going attend ? She replied, No, I have more inportant things to do. I have to get our cook out going. I guess in their mind?, A well cooked hot dog is more important than spending a hour a hour to Honor the Men and Woman who keep us Free. I was at the program. ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL. Oldmanzues

[POPEYEART]

EXCELLENT STORY, SO OFTEN WE FORGET THE FREEDOMS WE HAVE, AS WE ARE SO INVOLVED IN OUR OWN LIFES PROBLEMS. MOST ALL TAKE FOR GRANTED THAT WHAT WE HAVE IS A PRODUCT OF OUR OWN MAKING. WE FORGET THE SERVICE, HEROISM, THE SACRAFICES THAT WERE MADE FROM OUR ARMED FORCES MEMBERS PAST AND PRESENT, THAT ALLOWS US TO BE FREE, HAVE THE SHINEY TRINKETS AND PERSONAL FREEDOMS THAT WE ENJOY TODAY. MY THANKS TO ALL SERVICE MEMBERS, PAST AND PRESENT WHO HAVE ALLOWED ME TO BE ABLE TO POST A MESSAGE OF THANKS WITHOUT THE WORRY OF OPPRESSION OR CENSORSHIP OR WORSE. FOR ALL WHO HAVE SERVED AND THOSE WHO ARE PRESENTLY SERVING, THANK YOU

[SpyderFun]

The true meaning of Memorial Day, like Christmas, has been forgotten.....take a moment to remind those around you why we celebrate it and honor those who gave it to us.


-Mike
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[bruiser]

It is a sad fact that our society is quick to forget what the few have done for the many.

[Ga Blue Knight]

I thank you for this post and keep in mind those who are no longer with us due to their ultimate sacrifice.

[MountainSeaDog]

Great story! Thanks for posting.
Only minor problem was the line that said the old man "had been" a Marine. Once a Marine, ALWAYS a marine.
Semper fi