From this place this man suffered more mental and physical pain that we can even imagine. What kept him going? What kept him from tossing in the towel? What made the bombs and torpedoes miss the unmarked POW ship he was on as it crossed hostile waters? What made the enemy refrain from killing him? I think that only the Lord our God could bring a man through such torment, such suffering. For I am sure that HE had plans in store for this wearied soldier. God destined this man to be a great man, to lead a life of love and happiness.

Many years later, he regaled his children and grandchildren with his stories. He told of ranching, soldiering, and his Lord God Almighty. He told of love, laughter and the horrors of war. He related tales of best friends, wagon rides, and even a skunk. Everyone stopped to listen when he started talking for he was a man of wisdom, a man that anyone could learn from. As the years went on he became a Hero to a little boy who, with that gift of innocent children, saw a man who was placed on earth by God to be an example for others. That little boy sat in awe of the man as he wove tales of glory, of pain, and of the peace of God.

I was that little boy and I was honored to be able to call him Grandpa. I can remember his rough hands enveloping me in a hug, and the strength in his voice that only people with a special past are blessed with. I remember looking across the dinner table, watching his eyes as he regaled us with his past. The light in his eyes told me so much more than mere words could portray. I had found my Hero, the man I wanted to grow up to be. The man I wanted to go back in time with, to see the things he saw, to feel the things he endured.

Recently this great man made the final ride up to meet his Maker, his Savior. When I heard the news I sat down in shock. To lose one’s Hero is something that stops the world around you. My eyes closed as I remembered his face, his voice, his touch, his presence. I felt a pain grow inside of me that I knew could never be quelled. To know that this man was in heaven with the Lord made me smile, for I knew that those above were lucky to have him. Down here on earth, we that knew him were truly blessed by his presence among us and his passing only made each story, each piece of advice, each memory mean more to each of us.

Looking back in time I realize how little I know about this great man and yet, he touched my life enough to make him my one and only Hero.