Various Musings and Rambling
I just returned from Kansas City on a consulting trip. Had a blast. Today is Memorial Day and I just wanted to share my feelings about our men and women who have served or are serving our country. They are the true heroes in our world. Ball players, musicians, etc. are certainly accomplished, but heroes???? I think not.
In Kansas City, I met a man named Pete Hall. Pete never told me, but during his stint in Viet Nam, he earned a Bronze Star, two Silver Stars and four (that’s right, count them!!) Purple Hearts. I asked him what motivated him to continue to go into harms way over and over again and he simply said “Duty.” Now that is a hero. He was kind enough (after much persuasion) to let me see one of the Silver Stars and one Purple Heart. What was interesting was he wasn’t even sure he could find them. Apparently they were in a bread box somewhere down in his basement. I suppose the truly great ones are the modest ones. Anyway, I felt a great affinity and affection for Pete. He literally had to teach himself to walk again after the doctors in Viet Nam told him he would never walk. He has now been added to my short (but growing) list of heroes. Thought it would be fun to post some pictures of the Bronze Star, Silver Star and Purple Heart medals.
My thoughts also turn to those who have gone before us to provide the opportunities for us to prosper and live the wonderful lives that we live today. I am attaching some photos of my great-grandpa and grand-grandma. Great grandpa came from Italy in the early 1900′s to escape a life of poverty and futility. A self-made man, he married my great-grandma when she was 15 years old. They settled in Bunkie, Louisiana and had three sons-Sam, Russel and Angelo who is my grandpa. One of the photos shows the three boys. The littlest one is my grandpa. Great grandpa Carmelo died when I was about 14 years old, so I remember him well. He was only 5’1″ tall and had a very, very thick Italian accent. I pay tribute to him and millions like him who blazed the trail for us today.
May 30, 2007 at 1:05 am
Mike–it was fun to read your blog and be included in your list of friends. I really enjoyed seeing the pictures of your ancestors. And I enjoyed your insiteful comments on heroes. It would be fun to get together with you and Rhonda sometime. Maybe we could all do dinner.
Terrie
June 11, 2007 at 6:13 pm
Thanks for the sending your blog to me. It comes at a great time as 4 of my cousins head to Iraq tomorrow. They are 4 of my new heroes and will be in my thoughts and prayers heavily for the next 12 months as they are gone from their families. Thanks again.
Cody
June 11, 2007 at 6:53 pm
Mike-
I to feel flatered to be included on your bolg–If I had thought of that name-Blog- I would be rich by now!! I have heard Bro. Kincade is very friendly- of course leave it up to you to knock his socks off with your charisma. Thanks for sharing–
John
June 11, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Mike-
Haven’t seen you in so long – it has been awhile since I have been to a board meeting. It was nice to read your blog and see that your family and you are doing well, and seeing the country. Chesty was an exceptional Marine- we learned so much about him in Boot Camp and throughout my duty. A good book that I like to pass along is “They Marched into Sunlight”- it is a story from Vietnam and features my uncle Albert Clark Welch. He is my hero and a hero to all. It came out a couple years back, and there was also a documentry on PBS about all of the men from that unit. Hope to see you soon!
Anne-Marie
January 8, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Mike: How kind and thoughtful of you to share your blog with us. I just finally had time to read it more (had glanced at it a few months ago and enjoyed seeing pictures of your Grandpa and Dad; how precious it is to have these pictures. You write very well and I enjoyed all your experiences, even the photos which added weight to you!! We love you and Rhonda and feel it a great privilege to have come to know you by working together at the MTC. God bless you and thanks for your encouragement to go for our dreams! Shirley
September 27, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Mike-
I believe we may be related and I am trying to research my families background but I can only go as far back as Carmelo. If you have any further information on the subject I would be delighted to know.
Michael