This is an apocryphal story that I came across, but as a father of the best 2-year old tyke ever, I'm a sucker for tales like this right now. Enjoy.


Two small stories (they're connected) that show how the example we set today may help shape the character of generations tomorrow.

STORY I

We all know about Al Capone. The notorious Mafia gangster who virtually owned Chicago. He was a crime boss who lorded over the windy city dealing with all sorts of crimes - from prostitution to murder - to you name it, and he escaped the law for many many years.

It was because of one man, his lawyer nicknamed "Easy Eddie." 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 Eddie got special dividends and perks, as well. 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. However, Eddie did have one soft spot - he had a son that he loved dearly. And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie 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" or a "good example".

One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. It's believed Easy Eddie wanted to rectify the wrongs he had done. So 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. Nevertheless, 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 could ever pay.

Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a religious symbol and medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine, which read:

"The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour. Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time. For the clock may soon be still."


STORY II

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 squadron leader ordered him to return to the airctaft carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet.

As he was returning to the carrier, he saw something that turned his blood cold- a squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding 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 for whatever reason, could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger.

There was only one thing to do, the only thing he'd learned growing up. He must somehow divert them from the fleet. Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove directly into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber's blazed as he spiralled in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another and another.

Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until finally all his ammunition was spent. Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dived at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible, 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 WW II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the 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.


Oh...wait, what do these two stories have to do with each other?


Well, you see, Butch O'Hare was..."Easy Eddie's" son!