A GREAT STORY:-) SOMETHING CAN COME OUT OF EVIL
STORY NUMBER ONE
Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn't
famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy
city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.
Capone had a lawyer nicknamed Easy Eddie. He was his lawyer
for a good reason. Eddie was very good!
In fact, Eddie's skill at legal manoeuvring 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, but also Eddie got special dividends. For
instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help
and all
of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an
entire Chicago city block. Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob
and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him.
Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved
dearly. Eddie 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 involvement with organized crime, Eddie even
tried to teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better
man
than he was. Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things
he
couldn't give his son; he couldn't pass on a good name and a good
example.
One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie
wanted to rectify wrongs he had done. He decided he would go to the
authorities
and tell the truth about Al Scarface! Capone , clean up his tarnished
name and offer his son some semblance of integrity.
To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he
knew that the cost would be great. So, he testified. Within the year, Easy
Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street. But
in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the
greatest price he would ever pay.
STORY NUMBER TWO
World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant
Commander Butch O'Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft
carrier Lexington 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 mother ship he saw something that
turned his blood cold. A squadron of Japanese aircraft were speeding their
way
toward the American fleet.
The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was
all but defenceless. 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 calibre's blazed as he
charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch
wove! in
and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as
possible until all his ammunition was finally spent. Undaunted, he continued
the
assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes
of damaging as many enemy planes as possible and rendering them unfit to
fly.
Finally, the exasperated Japanese 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
surrounding his return.
The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale.
It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had
in fact destroyed five enemy aircraft.
This took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action Butch
became the Navy's first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to
win the Congressional Medal of Honour. A year later Butch was killed in
aerial combat at the age of 29. His home town would not allow the memory of
this WWII hero to fade, and today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in
tribute to the courage of this great man.
So the next time you find yourself at O'Hare International,
give some thought to visiting Butch's memorial displaying his statue
and his Medal of Honour. It's located between Terminals 1 and 2.
SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?
Butch O'Hare was Easy Eddie's son.
Originally posted by billwesthoffThat was very interesting... how did you come about learning that "tid bit"?
A GREAT STORY:-) SOMETHING CAN COME OUT OF EVIL
STORY NUMBER ONE
Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn't
famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy
city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.
Capone had a lawyer nicknamed Easy Eddie. He was his lawyer
for a good rea ...[text shortened]... THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?
Butch O'Hare was Easy Eddie's son.
P-
Originally posted by belgianfreakOne of the most interesting things I saw about WWII fighter pilots was a US pilot talking about dog fights with a German airman on the history channel.
so, both father and son didn't mind killing people. Touching. 😕
Sorry, I'm in a pedantic mood.
They had been going at it for some time, and I think they may have even fought at another time. The US pilot finally got the German below him and in his sights. He let a few rip and knew he had damaged the plane beyond repair. He was actually yelling to the guy to get out of the plane....
He was actually quit sad to see the plane go down without the "enemy" getting out of the plane.
"It's not the kill, it's the thrill of the chase."
Originally posted by PhlabibitIt is one of "Paul Harvey's" radio essays, "The Rest Of The Story". It is also contained in Paul Juniors books of the same name. Junior produces the Radio thing and publishes the books.
That was very interesting... how did you come about learning that "tid bit"?
P-
Another Paul Harvey. This is humorous...
A small town volunteer fire department responds to a "All Hands" call for help from the Cleveland fire department. There is a grass fire that is threatening a Nursing Home and several retirement living apartments.
While the fire captains are discussing the dangerous fire, and deciding on a plan of attack, the little red volunteer engine bursts onto the sceen, driving straight into the fire... two hundred yards in, they stop, seven firefighters jump out and frantically start fighting the fire that is raging about them.
Inspired by the action of the volunteers, the big city boys tear into the blaze and soon have it under control. The Cleveland city council, upon being informed of the brave action of the volunteers, signs over a 10 thousand dollar award check to the volunteers. With the media watching and the Mayor and city council grinning for the cameras, a reporter asks the volunteer fire chief what they are going to do with the ten thousand dollar grant... His response?
"Well, I'll tell you... The VERY first thing we are going to do is get the brakes fixed on that old piece of junk we use for a fire truck!"
Originally posted by billwesthoffHow brave people are.
A GREAT STORY:-) SOMETHING CAN COME OUT OF EVIL
STORY NUMBER ONE
Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn't
famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy
city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.
Capone had a lawyer nicknamed Easy Eddie. He was his lawyer
for a good rea ...[text shortened]... THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?
Butch O'Hare was Easy Eddie's son.
Originally posted by belgianfreakthen again, both father and son died premature, violent deaths. is that warm fuzzy feeeling we get from doing the right thing worth getting killed for? what if you don't believe in a reward in the afterlife? why not take the view "with my death, the world ends"? is it just that our self esteem is so important to us? thoughts, anyone?
so, both father and son didn't mind killing people. Touching. 😕
Sorry, I'm in a pedantic mood.
Originally posted by dfm65what if you were to take the "for the greater good" view. Would you rather die saving 2 friends lives or let them die to save yours? Even if it was lights out, game over, the big black zero for you
then again, both father and son died premature, violent deaths. is that warm fuzzy feeeling we get from doing the right thing worth getting killed for? what if you don't believe in a reward in the afterlife? why not take the view "with my death, the world ends"? is it just that our self esteem is so important to us? thoughts, anyone?
what if you were to take the "for the greater good" view.
-but why take that view in the first place?
Would you rather die saving 2 friends lives or let them die to save yours?
-tough question. who has the guts to admit to the second?
Even if it was lights out, game over, the big black zero for you
-didn't quite understand this...