Lived best they could

My father was a ball-turret gunner in a B-17 in World War II. After one bombing mission, Dad’s shotup plane was struggling to get back home to their airbase in England. This area was often enshrouded in fog, so in an effort to help pilots locate the airbase, smudge pots (which sent smoke up through the fog) were used to “mark” the runway. After seeing a plume of smoke, their pilot started lowering the B-17 and its landing gear. All of a sudden, there was a horrific sound of treetops hitting the plane—they were about to land on a moving steam locomotive. Miraculously, the pilot was able to pull the plane up, find the real runway, and the crew landed, happy to be alive.

More miraculous in my mind, however, is how many of these incredible young men came home and made huge successes of their lives. Even though many suffered devastating injuries and saw horrific atrocities in both the European and Pacific theaters, “disability” was not a word to be associated with them. Instead, after literally saving the world, these WWII veterans became family men, bankers, grocers, doctors, engineers, lawyers, businessmen, teachers—they became the pillars of their communities and some of the most productive citizens on the planet.

I wish there was some way I could adequately thank my father for doing a job I cannot begin to fathom. The following ending quote from Saving Private Ryan will forever be my mantra to him: “I tried to live my life the best that I could. I hope that was enough. I hope that, at least in your eyes, I’ve earned what all of you have done for me.” Thank you to my dad and all veterans! NANCY WILLIAMS Little Rock