American Moments
American Moments
Friends and Fighters
December 5, 2018
Birthdays and Heroes
What was Bob Dole thinking as he stood at George H.W. Bush’s casket?
The two of them were part of the generation that saved the world more than 70 years ago. Then these two men went on to keep serving their country with Bush rising to the Presidency and Dole coming close.
Even if you don’t agree with their politics you have to appreciate their service and their stamina.
We admit when we saw Bob Dole the thought was “Oh yeah, Bob Dole.” We haven’t seen much of him lately and, seeing him there, unable to stand without help, saluting his old friend’s casket, we realize again that their generation is disappearing.
What was going through Senator Dole’s mind? The violent, uncertain days of war? The struggle to adjust to life after war? The many years and issues and the hopes and the failures?
Was it just friendship and love?
We have heard many World War II veterans say that they served because “that’s what we did.” None of them asked for the war and certainly did not want to be torn from their families to risk being killed. Or to have to kill.
Dole is 95. The brother of a certain blogger turned 51 today. The brother often thought of joining the service but because of imperfect eyesight couldn’t get into the Air Force Academy and so a military life did not transpire, but a very successful one did.
The blogger also thought of joining the Army but his brother didn’t, his parents didn’t want him to (his Dad was in the Army) and none of his peers were doing it and…he was afraid.
A young Bob Dole and a young George H.W. Bush must have been afraid of dying and both came quite close. They were probably also terrified of failure knowing that a defeat in combat could mean death and despair for so many others.
What was Bob Dole thinking? We hope it was something peaceful and comforting. We hope that as the casket of a former President stood before the nation that Bob Dole’s thoughts and the world’s prayers brought comfort to all those who have suffered through war and are still suffering.
We sit here in the comfort of a warm home in a free country, typing by candlelight thinking about Christmas and we hope we never hear a gunshot, a bomb or feel what must be a sickening anguish that grips you when someone is trying to make sure you never get to be an old person standing before someone else’s casket.
We hope. And know that we also must do so much more. --TK
Wednesday, December 5, 2018