In deference to the holiday, Memorial Day, I wanted to offer something a
little more thoughtful for a column this week. I had a hard time deciding
because there's a lot of funny stuff going on that I would love to comment
on. I remembered a short piece I had written during the winter that seemed
appropriate for this weekend which traditionally kicks of summer, but is
also a time when many of us reflect on the sacrifices of those who serve and
have served. It is a weekend, for me, when I remember how lucky I am to be
an American. It's also Indy500 weekend.
GLIMPSES
Like more than a few
of my friends, I find myself checking the obituary page of the newspaper
with alarming frequency. When I was in my twenties, I would see folks who
expired in their late forties and I figured they had a pretty good run. Then
you get to your late forties and realize you've just started. More
interesting, however, are the glimpses into lives that are surely
novel-worthy. I also figure some are educational reading as the "greatest
generation" are leaving us, sadly, at a heightened pace.
Here is one obituary that sent me daydreaming. I'll weave the facts in with
my own dialogue:
Walter L. Koenig, 85, of Moultonborough, New Hampshire. A stranger entirely
to me, died peacefully at home in this gorgeous town in the Lake
Winnipesauke region. Born in Bad Axe, Michigan to German immigrant parents.
Raised primarily in New Jersey, schooled at Rutgers University. The picture
of this guy in the paper belies the wisdom this brief life story exposes.
He became a full colonel in the cadet corps at age 23. Served as a B-17
bomber pilot in World War II, flying in the European Theatre. Flew raids
over Germany, Normandy, and Northern France, receiving the European, African
and Middle Eastern Theatre Campaign Ribbon and the Distinguished Flying
Cross. It states that he had an instrumental role in the eradication of Nazi
Germany by bombing key targets. Let's see...what was I doing in my early
twenties?
After completing his tour of duty, he acquired his bachelor's and master's
degrees in forestry. He worked as a forester in the Great North Woods of New
Hampshire for over fifty years. In his retirement, right up until his dying
days, he was the chair of the board of REALIA. Relax, I had never heard of
it either. REALIA is a philosophical organization started by Walter and his
brother Alfred. An international, non-profit academic organization created
to explore ways to prevent wars and use philosophy as a guide in helping to
solve humanity's problems. It never ceases to amaze me...the quiet
dignitaries, scholars and luminaries that are drawn to our state. I only
wish I could have met this guy. Folks like him blend in, like a royal tree
that from a distance, simply blends in with the landscape. You would have to
hike far into the woods, where no man has been, to study it closely. Also,
you would have to know it was there, or stumble across it.
Ideas like Walter and Alfred had, today, get dismissed as goo-goo eyed
dreaming. Like something Julia Roberts would say. Then think about what
Walter must have seen and felt, on those bombing runs, unloading his cargo.
Let's be thankful that a man like that was also man enough to consider the
possibility of other routes to conflict resolution. We could sure use a few
more of those. Thank you, Walter Koenig...Gone West.