Comment Up
Someone sent this to me. There is no way to verify its authenticity but is is too good not to post...hope you enjoy this in honor of Marine Day
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 I 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 had mentioned that he served with the first Marine Division at
Tarawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal ...
He had hit all the big 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 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, OLD men like him gave our 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 IS NOT free. Thousands have paid the price, so you
can enjoy what you have today.
LET'S DO THIS - JUST 19 WORDS:
GOD OUR FATHER, WALK THROUGH MY HOUSE AND TAKE AWAY ALL MY WORRIES;
AND PLEASE WATCH OVER AND HEAL MY FAMILY; AND PLEASE PROTECT OUR
FREEDOMS, AND WATCH OVER OUR TROOPS, ‘WHO ARE DEFENDING THOSE
FREEDOMS. AMEN.
Source Unknown
