Thursday, February 21, 2013

Cedar Vale Heroes

by Don Schaffer via e-mail.

After reading and seeing the pictures about the World War II Memorial last December, I remembered the name of Ivan Bolton and that reminded me of another time, when I sat in the barbers' chair at Jimpy and Twid's barber shop!  While my hair was being cut, I looked straight ahead at the pictures of the men who were serving or had served, in the war.  The pictures were black and white, some fading into a kind of sepia.  The names of the "heroes" were on each picture.  Some had died in action.  If memory serves me correctly,  Faye Steward and Carl Sheldon were among those who had fallen in action.  Both served in a tank battalion, I believe.  It was difficult to imagine how they must have died.   
 
I sat there trying to visualize the experiences of all those "heroes on the wall."  I could see them sitting in the same chair I was sitting in, when there was peace throughout the land.  Yet, when that peace was challenged, these men gave up their "peace" so that we might have ours.  As a youth, too young to fully understand, I felt a companionship to those in the pictures.  Some came home.  They didn't talk much of the war.  Went about their business of being part of a peaceful community.  I considered myself protected by these brave men.
 
Finally, I remember the families, whose sons were serving in the war, hanging flags in their windows.  I seem to remember that the blue star was for those still serving.  The gold star was for those who had sacrificed their lives for us.  Such an impact!  "Lest we forget," may we remember all of those who remained standing, and those who fell, giving their all....so that we could have "all" we have. 
 
God Bless America, God Bless Cedar Vale and God Bless All of You!
 
Don Shaffer