The Value of a Good Role Model

[philly]

Story #1: Butch O'Hare was a fighter pilot assigned to a carrier fleet in the South Pacific. One day, while flying a mission, he realized his fuel tank hadn?t been topped off. He was returning to the ship when he saw a squadron of Japanese Zeroes speeding their way toward the American fleet.

With his fellow fighters gone, the fleet was nearly defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron to bring them back in time. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger.

There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them. With no regard for his own safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Guns 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 until all his ammunition was gone.

But still he continued the assault. He dove at the Zeroes to clip off a wing or tail. He was desperate to do anything he could to keep them from reaching the American ships. Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction. Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier.

The film from the camera mounted on his plane told the tale of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet. Later he was awarded one of the nation's highest military honors. And today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago bears the name of this courageous man.

Story # 2: Some years earlier there was a man in Chicago called Easy Eddie. At that time, Al Capone virtually owned the city. Easy Eddie was Capone's lawyer and his legal prowess kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.

Capone paid him very well and housed him and his family in a mansion with servants. 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. He had a son whom he loved dearly. Eddie?s young son had the best of everything; clothes, cars, and schooling. And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie tried to teach his son right from wrong. Yet, there were two things Eddie wasn?t giving his son -- a good name and a good example.

One day, Eddie resolved that he would go to the authorities to tell the truth about Al Capone and testify against The Mob. He knew the cost would be great, but more than anything he wanted to be an example to his son. So he testified.

Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a shower of gunfire on a lonely Chicago street. He had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer at the greatest price he could ever pay.
So, the question is, what do these two stories have to do with one another?

Well, you see, Butch O'Hare was Easy Eddie's son.

--Unknown Author

[grunt66]

Great Scott , what a pair of stories!

[Boats]

Philly,

I really appreciated the stories - being from Chicago you enlightened me with some history - Thanks.

grunt66 hit the nail on the head great stories.

[philly]

I'm glad you liked those stories.

I found them quite interesting too. My extent of knowing anything about O'Hare Airport was limited to the fact that they are famous for selling the most hotdogs each year.