There are two (2) story told before you’ll understand the
morale, so please don’t stop reading until you’ve read the entire message. There’s a strong message.
STORY NUMBER ONE
Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn't famous for anything spiritual
or heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything criminal.
Capone had a lawyer nicknamed "Easy Eddie." He was
his lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie's skill at legal maneuvering
kept Big Al out of jail for a long time. To show his appreciation, Capone paid
him very well. Not only was the money big, but also Eddie got special
dividends. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with
live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large
that it filled an entire Chicago City block. Eddie lived the high life of the
Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him. Eddie did have one
soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had
the best of everything: clothes, cars and a good education. Nothing was
withheld. Price was no object. And, despite his involvement with organized
crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than
he was. Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he
couldn't give his son; he couldn't pass on a good name and a good example.
One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie
wanted to rectify wrongs he had done. He decided he would go to the authorities
and tell the truth about Al "Scarface" Capone, clean up his tarnished
name and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have
to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. So, he
testified. Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a
lonely Chicago Street. But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift
he had to offer, at the greatest price he would ever pay.
STORY NUMBER TWO
World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant
Commander Butch O'Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier
Lexington in the South Pacific. One day his entire squadron was sent on a
mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and
realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel
tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship. His flight
leader told him to return to the carrier.
Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to
the fleet. As he was returning to the mother ship he saw something that turned
his blood cold A squadron of Japanese aircraft were speeding their way toward
the American fleet. The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet
was all but defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in
time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger.
There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet.
Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into
the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber's blazed as he
charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in
and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible
until all his ammunition was finally spent. Undaunted, he continued the
assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes
of damaging as many enemy planes as possible and rendering them unfit to fly. Finally,
the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction. Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his
tattered fighter limped back to the carrier. Upon arrival, he reported in and
related the event surrounding his return.
The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the
tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet. He
had in fact destroyed five enemy aircraft.
This took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action
Butch became the Navy's first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win
the Congressional Medal of Honor. A year later Butch was killed in aerial
combat at the age of 29. His home town would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O'Hare Airport
in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man. So, the next
time you find yourself at O'Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch's
memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It's located between
Terminals 1 and 2.
SO, WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES
HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?
Butch O'Hare was Easy
Eddie's son.
In Christ,
Janet
Irene Thomas
Playwright/Screen
Writer/Director
Published
Author/Gospel Lyricist &Producer
FOUNDER/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts
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