"LEST WE FORGET"

On December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor was bombed and World War II was upon us. Being committed to preserving his country's freedom, Dad attempted to enlist. However, after he unknowingly classified himself as 4F, or "dead," and the laughter subsided, he was told he needed to stay home and support his family. Disappointed, he left his job and went to work for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio.

During those next five years, I remember him lifting me above his head, soaring me near the ceiling as we played "airplane." Crawling into his lap before he even had a chance to read the front page, he would read the Sunday funny papers to me. It was during "The War Years" that I learned... (To be continued.)

LET THERE BE PEACE

In the song, "Let There Be Peace on Earth, "it goes on to say, "and let it begin with me." But what, then, can we do in order for peace to begin with us? Referring to the "Dear Americans" letter, I spoke of a teenager named Matthew, who never failed to thank the bus driver for taking his team to their soccer games. I believe that Matthew's simple "thank you" exemplifies how peace can begin with us. At his funeral, the bus driver shared this "moment" with Matthews' parents, and how this thoughtful young man had touched her life.

Matthew's story is still to be told, but his footprints continue to light paths with hope. "So, until your story is written, Matthew, I thank you for stopping to smell the roses, lest we forget." (To be continued)

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matt. 5:9