MY VIEW
It’s an honor to spend time with a war hero
We are biking buddies. We ride anywhere from three to five miles on our two-wheelers. He has a purple Trek and I have a maroon Specialized. Our pace is slow and steady as we traverse the roads in our Town of Boston neighborhood.
We met six years ago when I moved back into the neighborhood. Actually, I have fond memories of him from when I was a youngster playing with my childhood friend. We would watch as he left his home for his near-daily golf game.
He was always dressed perfectly, matching from head to toe and always seemingly with ironed clothes. He still dresses snazzy with his sweaters, polo shirts, dress shorts, knee socks and shoes. He even bikes in his shoes and Yankees’ hat.
I so wish he would wear a bike helmet. But at 86 years old and nearly twice my age, I am unable to persuade him to ride with a helmet. So we stay in the neighborhood and pedal our way as we talk about all sorts of things.
He doesn’t travel as far or fast as I do so we typically meet at the end of my rides. Sometimes, though, when I am just out for some company, we will go together for the entire journey.
We missed biking together last summer due to a herniated disc on my part, but still enjoyed visits. We can’t ride as often now, because of my back, but we do get out a couple of times a week.
He is a widower now, having lost his dear wife of 62 years two summers ago. He has a fascinating past.
My friend was a World War II B-24 bomber pilot who completed 13 missions from Okinawa to the Island of Japan. He actually bombed Nagasaki a week before the atom bomb was dropped to end the war.
After the war, he flew Australian prisoners of war from Okinawa to the Philippians. He left the service as a first lieutenant. My friend wears his lapel American flag pin and flies the Stars and Stripes proudly from his front porch. He is the American veteran.
He even has a small gallery of mementos from the war and his time in the Air Force in his home. These include photographs and meticulous records he kept of each one of his 13 missions flown in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
He worked hard, sacrificed time and put his life in harm’s way to protect our freedom. He is proud of his service but is equally proud of his family, which includes three children and their spouses, nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
My friend doesn’t travel anymore so his family visits him. His youngest child also telephones nearly daily to talk to her dad. He is an independent person and I can picture that independence serving him well as he flew over the Pacific some 60 years ago.
His keen eyes, quick wit and intelligence were sure to be put to good use during the war. He is a deeply religious man who won’t preach to anyone, but his faith comes through in his words and actions.
He is the American veteran. The hero of World War II. The neighbor whom everyone knows and enjoys talking with. He is the epitome of an American citizen. And I am lucky enough to have him as my biking buddy.
