I'm embarrassed to say my second thought was that of relief when my mother called to say that he was dead. It had only been a short time, but I could never deal with someone being in pain or the thought of a machine keeping them from going to a better place. After all of his children, and a few extended family members had shown up and said their good byes, finally, it was over. In the past few years his health had been extraordinary. He always seemed to be in the best of health, one minute he would be out at the ranch helping a hand and the other minute he would be in his khaki pants and pin stripped polo shirt out on the golf coarse hoping for that hole in one. On that Tuesday afternoon I called my family to see if I should make the 13 hour puddle jumping flight across country for the funeral. Having the Satisfaction of being there to help comfort the rest of the family, was worth dealing with all the airport congestion as others would franticly push their way through crowds to get to their next flight. It was only about five years later I was graduating high school and enlisting in then U.S. Navy. Being one that had previously served in the Navy during the post WWII time, he seemed to be one of the most proud and honored seeing me in the traditional Dress Blue Uniform that still holds strong in the naval ranks today. I remember at my oldest brother's wedding him shaking my hand with his strong yet dried out callused hand and giving me a salute the first time I returned home after signing my life away for the next four years. He was one that truly made me feel proud to be serving in the greatest military on this planet. I remember when I was a little kid working in the shop with my Great Uncle... ... middle of paper ... ... finally reflect on the person he'd been before and put the past few days behind me. He was the man who had grown up with two older brothers and a workaholic father making the boys take care of all the chores and provide for their mother and four other sisters when their dad was out plowing the fields. He was the man who enlisted in the Navy in hopes that the two older brothers could stay home and work on the ever fast growing farm. He was the man who raised money for United Way every year. He was the man that not only showed and taught the hard ethics of work to the twenty-five children from the three families but also played with them when he had the chance. He worked hard, made a good living, and was a wonderful father, husband, grandfather and uncle! And it finally occurred me just how lucky I'd been to have him be a part in my life.
...on helped pass the Agricultural Labor Relations Act in California, the only law in the nation that protects the rights of farm laborers to unionize. But more than anything, I believe, his contribution to society has been his legacy of service to others and the commitment to social justice for communities fighting against inequalities.
... around him he has had many programs and schools named after him. He was a literature icon and someone that I would like to be like. He was Strong, Smart, Very influencing and a true American. He took pride in what he believed in never let anyone pull him down.
Martin Luther King? A man admired and idealized for his public speaking but most of all for his courage and his noble qualities. A hero.
Andrew Jackson’s family struggled their entire lives. When Andrew Jackson reached the vulnerable age to legally join the military, he did so. The people respected this factor that President Jackson possessed, and they especially respected his military career. But, the one attribute that the American people respected above everything else when it came to President Jackson was his humbleness. He was known to be one of the most down to earth person, and what extremely humble when he would speak about himself. That is why President Jackson was known as the common man President, because he related to the common man the average everyday farmer, and the people who were just trying to make a living to feed their
Although he was President, he was also a lawyer who was self taught. He ran for many things and lost before he was elected President. Now he is considered a hero. Abraham Lincoln is a hero because he was brave, he was a strong leader, and he stood up for what he believed in.
I am glad that there was so many young people and kids that looked up to him. They wanted to pursue their dreams just like he did and I think that’s really amazing to have so many young people in America wanting to be like you. Knowing that if they really try and put everything into something it can turn out to be something big and amazing.
The rise from the poor boy in Scotland to the second richest man in America. He had plenty of initiative and persevered throughout his life to become what he wanted to be. He retired as one of the most respected men in the world, and he will be in the history books forever.
Fall came by and it was time for my sister, mother and I to pack our things and meet him in Dallas. It was difficult to leave all of our friends and family members behind, knowing we would most likely never see each other again. I had faith that our lives would be better
He is the definition of a patriotic hero. He is the true symbolism of man and the definition of freedom, strength, and compassion. Inevitably after not able to serve his country he still chose to protect it in a different way. Most would have went the complete other direction. That’s where a lot of people in the United Sates go wrong. Consequently, most just throw their hands up rather than fighting in what they believe. Francis Scott Key wrote these famous words in the 1800’s, “Land of the free, and home of the brave.” (http://www.theglobalist.com/the-land-of-the-free-and-the-home-of-the-brave/) They are a part of our National Anthem today. Nonetheless, the American dream is what all men and women in the United States live for, work for, and die trying to have. The typical American dream is to have a car, family, a job, and to own your own house. This is something all Americans are raised to desire at an early age. One must work to succed or have anything in life, but having the “dream” is so much more when embracing life expectancies. Most get frustrated trying to reach these dreams because of wanting more. One can never be satisfied or happy. Instead if one would live appreciating the smaller aspects of life such as: freedom, compassion, and the strength of our country we would be more appreciative of what life has to
We met at an open lounge night back in 1940. I got up to sing and I was singing acapella then next thing I know I heard music and I opened my eyes to turn around and there he was. I was blown away by his talent and his looks. We were like the dynamic duo. He is tall about 5”9 and a slender build, dark skin and smart. We could go anywhere and he just fits in. That summer was the greatest summer of my life because he was a part of it. He left to go into the army and I wrote him every day for a year. Then he showed up at my church and proposed to me and why wouldn’t I say yes to the love of my life. We were married for 40 years and he was a provider. My children and I never had to want for anything. He pays the bills and bought the food, did I tell you he can cook. How many men do you know that can cook? I was truly blessed to have that man as my
As months went by, not a minute passed when I didn’t think of him. I
...as his acceptance of his life of poverty and service that serves as an example for us to use as a model for our actions in this world.
... members I found a way out of the sadness and focused on the happiness of how my uncle did not have to suffer anymore and that he was finally pain free from everything. My uncle was a very loving man and although he did not have much, he always found a way to give everyone a gift on their birthday and Christmas. Although he will be missed greatly I know he is always with me and my family in everywhere we go and in everything we do. I know thinking about death is a scary thing, but the truth is that it happens every day of our lives. The only thing that matters is how you choose to spend the time while you still have it. You should never let a minute go to waste because tomorrow is never promised and you want to cherish every moment while you have it. I will never forget my uncle and all he stood for he was a great loving man who will always be missed greatly.
I have met many people so far in this life, but the person I enjoy remembering the most is my husband Jeff. He was born and raised in Tennessee. He is six feet tall, weighs two hundred sixty seven pounds,he has dark brown eyes, and such a nice smile. His hair is jet black with just a few silver and white strands throughout. He is a very big and strong character of a man. And yet he is the most gentle, kind and caring man that I have ever met. Jeff has a sexy southern drawl to his voice. The one person who has influenced my life greatly is my husband, the first reason being because of his positive attitude, his intelligence, and the way he expresses his love.
When I was young, I drew a picture of my mother. It was her standing in a yard with a house in the background. It wasn't our house, and my mother looked like anyone but herself. Dressed entirely in green, with green hair and a green expression on her green face, she stood in front of a green two-story house surrounded by a green landscape. Green was her favorite color, and I wanted to make a surprise out of the drawing for her.