Tribute to a hero...

Last night, my dear Uncle Mickey went home to meet his Creator. He is one of my biggest heroes. Uncle Mickey was a distinguished gentleman and a wonderful example of a loving husband to his wife, my dear Aunt Amy. Here is Uncle Mickey holding his grandson Michael Paul several years ago. Just a few days before leaving this world, Uncle Mickey's second great-grandson would be born to Michael Paul's wife.

Uncle Mickey was one of those World War II veterans who landed on Omaha Beach and marched across Europe to liberate it from the Nazis. When he published his memoirs in 1999, he held a small party at his house for us in his family. He showed some of the artifacts and memorabilia he has from his tours of Europe and Korea. One of my favorite was a Nazi flag that they took down from Beethoven's house as they marched across Europe.

A few years ago, they had to amputate one of his legs. When they did, they found that there was shrapnel in his leg from WWII. All of these years, he had been carrying around with him shrapnel from the war. There were some that told him he should make a fuss about it and he could be greatly compensated by the government. He didn't want any part of that. He was a career Army man and a proud patriot. He was a Purple Heart recipient, and had many other combat decorations and awards including the Silver Star and the Bronze Star. Like most of the veterans of his generation, he was a humble man who saw it simply as doing his duty. This nation needs more men like Uncle Mickey.