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A hero sleeping on the couch

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Inspiration

By Charles Towne

I was born in 1934. Eventually, really just a blink in time, the United States was dragged into what was to be known as the “second world war.”

Because of having a family daddy was exempted from the draft so he worked as a welder in the shipyards at Seneca Illinois building LST’S, otherwise known as landing craft.

The war didn’t impact folks all that much on the home front other than for the inconvenience of rationing because certain commodities such as gasoline and tires were in short supply, as was sugar. Those especially were items needed in the war effort I suppose.

One of daddy’s friends needed new tires for his farm truck but somebody figured they needed the tires more, so when dad’s friend went out in the morning the truck was sitting there on the ground, and the new tires were gone. Oh well, easy come, easy go.

The war didn’t mean much to me until the night daddy came home from work with a guest. Daddy had seen the man hitchhiking, which really wasn’t all that strange, except for the fact that the young man was in uniform and on crutches. He had been wounded overseas and was now on his way home.

That night mama fed the stranger and then she put some blankets on the sofa for him. Daddy and Mama and the young soldier sat and visited that night and eventually they went to bed. I was fascinated to note that our guest had an artificial leg that was laying on the floor next to the sofa.

When I got up in the morning I was disappointed because daddy had taken our guest to the bus station so he could continue his journey home.

It has been said that war is hell, and I guess it is.

After all of these years, I suppose the young soldier is long gone but he will always live in my memory, a hero.

I wonder what happened to him? What sort of life did he live? Did he marry his childhood sweetheart? Did he have kids?

Eventually, the war was over.

Life goes on.

Praise God for our heroes. Praise God for this wonderful country. Praise God from all our blessings flow. Amen


Charles Towne is first and foremost a Christian. An octogenarian, author, journalist, wildlife photographer, naturalist, caregiver, and survivor, his life has been and continues to be, a never-ending adventure filled with possibilities never imagined. He has adopted the philosophy that to Live fully, laugh uproariously, love passionately, and learn like there is no tomorrow, is a formula for a long and joy-filled life.

Charles Towne, Inspiration

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