The Old Man (had to share)

[bronco54501]

The Old Man...
As I came out of the supermarket that sunny day, pushing my cart of groceries towards my car, I saw an old man with the hood of his car up and a lady sitting inside the car, with the door open.
The old man was looking at the engine. I put my groceries away in my car and continued to watch the old gentleman from about twenty five feet away.
I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag in his arm, walking towards the old man. The old gentleman saw him coming too, and took a few steps towards him. I saw the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something.
The young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a brand new Cadillac Escalade and then turn back to the old man and I heard him yell at the old gentleman saying, 'You shouldn't even be allowed to drive a car at your age.' And then with a wave of his hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot.
I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief and mop his brow as he went back to his car and again looked at the engine. He then went to his wife and spoke with her and appeared to tell her it would be okay. I had seen enough and I approached the old man. He saw me coming and stood straight and as I got near him I said, 'Looks like you're having a
problem.'
He smiled sheepishly and quietly nodded his head. I looked under the hood myself and knew that whatever the problem was, it was beyond me. Looking around I saw a gas station up the road and told the old man that I would be right back. I drove to the station and went inside and saw three attendants working on cars. I approached one of them and related the problem the old man had with his car and offered to pay them if they could follow me back down and help him.
The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree and appeared to be comforting his wife. When he saw us, he straightened up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics diagnosed the problem (overheated engine) I spoke with the old gentleman.
When I shook hands with him earlier, he had noticed my Marine Corps ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been a Marine too. I nodded and asked the usual question, 'What outfit did you serve with?'
He had mentioned that he served with the first Marine Division at Tarawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal . He had hit all the big ones and retired from the Corps after the war was over. As we talked we heard the car engine come on and saw the mechanics lower the hood. They came over to us as the old man reached for his wallet, but was stopped by me and I told him I would just put the bill on my AAA card.
He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that I assumed had his name and address on it and I stuck it in my pocket.. We all shook hands all around again and I said my goodbye's to his wife. I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the station. Once at the station I told them that they had interrupted their own jobs to come along with me and help the old man. I said I wanted to pay for the help, but they refused to charge me.
One of them pulled out a card from his pocket looking exactly like the card the old man had given to me. Both of the men told me then, that they were Marine Corps Reserves. Once again we shook hands all around and as I was leaving, one of them told me I should look at the card the old man had given to me. I said I would and drove off.
For some reason I had gone about two blocks when I pulled over and took the card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long, long time. The name of the old gentleman was on the card in golden leaf and under his name....... 'Congressional Medal of Honor Society.'
I sat there motionless looking at the card and reading it over and over. I looked up from the card and smiled to no one but myself and marveled that on this day, four Marines had all come together, because one of us needed help. He was an old man all right, but it felt good to have stood next to greatness and courage and an honor to have been in his presence. Remember, OLD men like him gave you FREEDOM for America . Thanks to those who
served...& those who supported them.
America is not at war. The U.S. Military is at war. America is at the Mall. If you don't stand behind our troops, PLEASE
feel free to stand in front of them!
Remember, Freedom isn't "Free" -- thousands have paid the price so you can enjoy what you have today.
LET'S DO THIS -- JUST 19 WORDS
GOD OUR FATHER,
WALK THROUGH MY HOUSE
AND TAKE AWAY ALL MY WORRIES AND ILLNESSES;
AND PLEASE WATCH OVER AND HEAL MY FAMILY
IN JESUS ' NAME. AMEN


My friend sent this to me and wanted to share......Bronco

[jayne]

it was awesome.....I think we all sometimes forget that but for the grace of God

[AQA]

Semper Fi !!!!!!!!

[Tuffy]

Bronco, You have brought tears to my eye's, And lest we forget, God Bless All Our Troops, Those serving and retired.........

[Still in Limbo]

Thanks so Much Bronco, I have had Quite a Bad Time Lately, and the Tears on My Cheek Right now are Tears of Joy, to know there are Still Real Caring People, Regardless of Military Ties or not, that would Help Others!! I had the Pleasure of getting to know a Gentleman in the Early 80's that Fought Guadalcanal, and when He Finally got Out of the Swamps, and took His Boots Off, His Socks had Dry Rotted Off of His Feet, and All that was Left was the Elastic at the Top!!! Those are The True Hero's of the Past, and the Hero's of Today are Out Serving Our Country Right Now!! Thanks Again!!

[vickinat]

Bronco, you have touched my heart so much today with that story. In the world we live in, so many people would just go on thier way, saying they don't have time to be bothered by the old man's problems. If it was'nt for that old man and so many others like hime, we would not have our precious freedom today. Thank you so much for sharing.

My father was a purple heart recipient and had 5 bronze stars for tours of duty in Vietnam and other places that I can't remember. I remember some of his stories that he would tell, but since he was in the special ops group and a green beret, he would always stop short and say he could'nt say anymore, that it was confidential.

Thanks for allowing me to remember my father today.

Love
Vickie

[Bummer Knees]

Awesome!

[chrischris]

Thanks Bronco! It seems like when you feel like giving up, that God sends someone to make you realize that there really are some good people in this world!

[bronco54501]

I too was lifted when my friend sent this to me It was a form of a chain letter. But either way I cleaned it up and just had to send it out to you's. But really our country hero's are not just the ones who fight but also ones who devote thier time like the Red Cross / Salvation Army and any good cause. And to me some of you's here are heros in my book................I just want to take the chance to thank all of you's too......................Thanks Bronco.....

[RNvic]

Bronco thank you for sharing that story with us. It reminds us all that a little help and kindness goes a long way in making someones elses day.