HUMOR & Good Stories
Story number one:
World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Butch O'Hare. He was a
fighter pilot assigned to an aircraft carrier in the South Pacific.
One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he
looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off
his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get
back to his ship. His flight leader told him to return to the carrier.
Reluctantly he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. As he
was returning to the mothership, he saw something that turned his blood
cold. A squadron of Japanese Zeroes were speeding their way toward the
American fleet. The American fighters were gone on a sortie and the fleet
was all but defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back
in time to save the fleet. Nor, could he warn the fleet of the approaching
danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from
the fleet.
Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of
Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 calibers blazed as he charged in, attacking
one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch weaved in and out of the
now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until finally
all his ammunition was spent. Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove
at the Zeroes, trying to at least clip off a wing or tail, in hopes of
damaging as many enemy planes as possible and rendering them unfit to fly.
He was desperate to do anything he could to keep them from attacking the
ship.
Finally the enemy squadron took off in another direction. Deeply relieved,
Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier. Upon
arrival he reported in and related the event surround-ing his return. The
film from the camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the
extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet.
He was recognized as a hero and given one of the nation's highest military
honors.
And today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of
this great man.
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Story number two:
Some years earlier there was a man in Chicago called Easy Eddie. At that
time, Al Capone virtually owned the city. Capone wasn't famous for anything
heroic. His exploits were anything but praiseworthy. He was, however,
notorious for enmeshing the city of Chicago in everything from bootlegged
booze and prostitution to murder. Easy Eddie was Capone's lawyer and for a
good reason. He was very good! In fact, his skill at legal maneuvering kept
Big Al out of jail for a long time.
To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money
big; Eddie got special dividends. For instance, he and his family occupied a
fenced in mansion with live-in help and all of he conveniences of the day.
The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago city block. Yes,
Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration
to the atrocity that went on around him. Eddy did have one soft spot,
however.
He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddy saw to it that his young son had
the best of everything; clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was
withheld. Price was no object. And, despite his involve-ment with organized
crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong.
Yes, Eddie tried to teach his son to rise above his own sordid life. He
wanted him to be a better man than he was. Yet, with all his wealth and
influence, there were two things that Eddie couldn't give his son. Two
things that Eddie sacrificed to the Capone mob that he could not pass on to
his beloved son..a good name and a good example.
One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Offering his son a good
name was far more important than all the riches he could lavish on him.
He had to rectify all the wrong that he had done. He would go to the
authorities and tell the truth about Scar-face Al Capone. He would try to
clean up his tarnished name and offer his son some semblance of integrity.
To do this he must testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would
be great. But more than anything, he wanted to be an example to his son. He
wanted to do his best to make restoration and hopefully have a good name to
leave his son. So, he testified.
Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely
Chicago street. He gave all that he could offer at the great-est price he
would ever pay.
I know what you're thinking: What do these two stories have to do with one
another?
Well you see, Butch O'Hare was Easy Eddie's son. |
