I was in Orlando a couple years back with two of my grandchildren and Mary. We were so tired after a long, arduous day with the Mouse all we all wanted to do was eat something and get some rest. We sat in the lobby thingy at "Perkins". So many people were griping about how slow the service was and how long they had waited in lines all day long, “Whiny Whiny” “!@!!” I looked at an old fellow’s hat and on it it said ‘WW-2 Veteran’, and there was a pin that said ‘Navajo translator’.

I knew immediately what that meant and what that blue pin with the white Stars on it meant too!!!! I walked over and informed him he and his family were to go ahead in line in front of us, and told him what a Hero he was to me and everyone in this country. I shook hands with him.

Now, let me tell y'all something: I have this thing about shaking famous folks hands. Joe DiMaggio, Bill Clinton, Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, and even three men with the CMH. But for some reason, I felt blessed by this Native American who no longer had a home other than a reservation and who had volunteered to work for all of us to turn back a horrible enemy.

I read a year ago where the last of his service had passed away. I'm so glad Mary, my grandchildren, and I were blessed by this chance meeting.

Thanks to men like that, we live truly live free!

© 8/8/2007 by Garland Young