While many of us have been busy staying warm—like everyone else on the mountaintop—I came across something written years ago that feels especially important today.
As we move forward trying to reunify our country and slow the spread of bitterness dividing us, I was reminded of a monologue by [beloved comedian] Red Skelton that still resonates.
Many of us grew up reciting the Pledge of Allegiance every morning, often without stopping to think about its meaning.
Perhaps now is a good time to remind ourselves of the meaning Red Skelton so thoughtfully shared. I hope many of you remember him—and the message he left behind.
Here is his breakdown of what the Pledge of Allegiance taught him:
“I - Me, an individual, a committee of one. Pledge -- Dedicate all of my worldly good to give without self-pity. Allegiance – My love and my devotion. To the Flag - Our standard. “Old Glory”; a symbol of Freedom. And wherever she waves, there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts “Freedom is everybody's job.” Of the United - That means we have all come together. States - individual communities that have united into 48 great states; 48 individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose; all divided by imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common cause, and that’s love of country, of America.”
We are sorry for having to cancel our breakfast, although we will be holding breakfast over President’s weekend on Sunday February 22nd. Also on our calendar is our bingo night on Thursday February 19th at 6 pm.
We hope you come and enjoy a night of fun. We also have a Queen of Hearts game which is now up to $1,650, plus whatever is added on bingo night. A winner gets to pick one number and if the Queen of Hearts comes up, you win 60 percent of the total. Good luck and see you at the post.
This week I would like to highlight one of our WWII veterans from our post. His name is Thomas A. Bristol. Tom was born in Garfield, NY in 1924. He moved to Fairlawn, NJ a year later and followed in his father’s footsteps and became an electrician.
When the war broke out the electrical business was crippled due to the war effort and wiring was limited due to the shortage of copper and wire in general.
Bristol was 17 and asked his father if he could join the Army due to not much work. After a very long discussion he got permission to enlist (his father served in the Spanish-American war).
Upon enlisting they told him he could be a cook or be a part of the Army Air Corp. He chose the Air Corp. He trained as a gunner and became turret gunner on a B25 bomber.
Then they removed the turret and he moved to the tail and was a tail gunner. He flew 54 combat missions in the China-India-Burma campaign. He was part of the 490th bomb group know as the “Burma Bridge Busters.”
His plane was shot up and the pilot came on and informed the crew of 5 that he could get up high enough to bail out or try to land it; they all voted on landing. When they hit the dirt runway in India, the plane burst into flames.
Some of the crew escaped through the waist gunner doors. Bristol, in the tail gunner area, couldn’t get there as stored 50 caliber bullets were going off due to the flames. He finally kicked open the canopy and jumped off. He was burned and sent to the field hospital and recovered to rejoin his unit.
He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart Medal, Asia-Pacific Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He returned back to the states and served on a B-17 flying search and rescue when, in flight, was told the war was over. He was discharged and resumed his life as a licensed electrician in NJ.
He moved here and lived with me, and as a father-in-law he was a true joy to be around. After rewiring the entire VFW Post 1545 during the building update, he became a proud member of the post. He lived to the remarkable age of 99, never once complained, and was deeply enjoyed by everyone at the post.
On another note, I would like all members of our post to be more actively involved in the work we have carried out over the past 98 years. Our shared mission is to dedicate our efforts to ensuring that veterans and their families receive the benefits they have earned through their service to our country. This mission can only continue if we work together with a common purpose
God bless America and keep the still serving service members and veterans in your prayers.
Marc Farmilette, PDC – Commander VFW Post 1545