I sat this morning in the quiet of my study reflecting on two men who have had a tremendous impact on my life — men who served our Country during WWII. Men who worked hard; gave their best: faced hardship beyond my imagination; experienced isolation, loneliness and desperation; and — lived to return home to loved ones and touch my life.
My grandfather, Aldon Edwards, fought in the Army in Europe during the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded and taken prisoner by the German army. Fortunately for my family, he survived the P.O.W. camp and came home. Although he rarely spoke of his experiences there, the one story I will always remember is the one about the day his camp was liberated by U.S. Army soldiers. It seems that during his captivity, the German guard assigned to his group would routinely "turn his back" while my grandfather and the other captives, secreted extra potatoes into their pockets so that they would not starve — a truly humane and human thing to do — risky for him as well, I might add. On the day liberation came, the American soldiers approached my grandfather’s group and asked how they had been treated during captivity. To a man, they all commended their captor/guard for the kindness extended to them. The German guard was so overwhelmed with gratitude that he literally fell to the ground and kissed the feet of each former American P.O.W. under his care and watch. Every time my grandfather mentioned that moment, I noticed tears rim his eyelids without falling. My grandfather has been gone now since 1980, but I will always remember his story — but more importantly, his life. His quiet strength instilled in me a desire to be a difference maker. I miss him.
The other man is my uncle, Cleatus Lebow. As a young man — barely 18 years of age — he was drafted into the Navy and ultimately found himself assigned to the U.S.S. Indianapolis — the ship about which much has been written and portrayed in film and television. I was a teen when he joined our family by marriage and the significance of his ordeal at sea was lost on me somehow. I guess I was too focused on the Viet Nam war and the scary possibility that I too would be drafted — too focused to understand the gravity of his service.
Not until much later as an adult did I truly begin to understand the importance of what he experienced. He is a quiet, unassuming man — gentle in nature and kind to the core. The fact that he survived physically is amazing — the fact that he has survived emotionally is a miracle! If you don’t know much about the events surrounding the U.S.S. Indianapolis I invite you to buy a couple of books — Ordeal at Sea by Thomas Helm and Only 317 Survived! written by the survivors of this tragedy. You can also google the U.S.S. Indianapolis for information — while you’re at it, google my uncle, Cleatus Lebow. I think you will be amazed by what you read.
Regardless, as I sat this morning re-reading some of the pages of his my uncle’s story, I was overwhelmed by a sense of gratitude for the service and sacrifice of so many through the years! Without the brave service of men and women in our Armed Forces, we would not have the freedoms we enjoy — and often take for granted — today! I am grateful for those freedoms and even more grateful that I have been touched so intimately by two heroes.
Recently, I was asked to be a part of the upcoming 48th U.S.S. Indianapolis survivors reunion on August 1 of this year. I will have the honor of addressing this distinguished group of heroes in the opening session with a presentation entitled, Believe in the Journey. I am humbled to be a part of this solemn celebration of legacy leaving and look forward to shaking the hand of each of the 76 remaining survivors — at least those are are physically able to make the trip. I have no doubt that I will come away a better person for the experience!
War is indeed one of the most cruel and heartless of "mean times" our world faces. Our Nation is engaged in perhaps one of the cruelest in history. Many who read this have sons and daughters in harm’s way as I write. Some have returned with broken bodies, broken spirits, broken minds. Some have returned physically whole yet forever changed from the experiences of battle. Today, men and women fight — lay their lives on the line — in order to assure freedom for all people. Regardless of your or my opinion of the war — of ANY war — the brave men and women who stand in our stead deserve our honor, support and prayers.
On this Memorial Day, my question is this: Who do you know who has a son, a daughter, a father or mother serving in danger? Make note of those people right now and make a call; drop by the house; send an email; mail a card; give a hug; offer a prayer. You may be one of those with a loved one fulfilling his or her duty. Please know that I think of you today.
Perhaps one day, the hatred will cease; the fighting will subside; the killing will stop; the horror will fade. Until such time, let us pause to remember, give thanks and be part of the solution. WE help one another "live in the meantimes!"
Peace!
Mark Hundley
Copyright 2008 Mark E. Hundley
