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. His last day on earth was a heroic one. His squadron was sent on a mission, but soon after he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would have to turn back.
He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific. His last day on earth was a heroic one. His squadron was sent on a mission, but soon after he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would have to turn back.
Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. As he was returning to the, he saw a coming horde of Japanese aircraft. They were speeding their way toward the defenseless American fleet.
All of the others were out on a sortie, so it was just him. But that was no detterent. He dove into the formation of Japanese planes, his 50 caliber guns firing away. When all of his ammuition was spent, he tried to clip tails or wings with his prop. No plane was safe. Five aircraft were downed. Countless others, crippled.
Frustrated, wounded and decimated, the squadron called off the attack and returned home.
He continued to fly and was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. He was awarded the Congressional Medal Honor, the nation's highest.
His hometown named an airport after him. You might have heard of it -- O'Hare Airport in Chicago.
And Chicago. This was the same town that Al Capone owned. It was Butch O'Hare's father -- Eddie -- who was Capone's personal lawyer, the one mentioned in yesterday's post.
Eddie O'Hare helped Capone skirt the law, hide money, and invest in shady operations for years. He lived off the fruits of crime until his own consicience and the awful reality that his son was watching got the best of him. Eddie eventually brought down Capone, so that his son would see that indeed, redemption was possible.
I've not always been the best father. In fact, my words were always grand, but my actions were sometimes weak. My rhetoric was bold holy, my actions cowardly human.
And now that they are grown, I wonder about the redemption message. I wonder what they learned. I wonder about what kind of example I've been. Will they trust God? Will they see past my imperfections and see Him? I have so much regret.
Then I think about the gangsters lawyer. And his son, the hero.
Then I think about the gangsters lawyer. And his son, the hero.
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"When i was a child I spoke as a child...but now I am a man and put aside childish things." In context Paul is talking about our ability to Love unconditionally and more than anything else the best thing a father can give his children is his love. Love for the Lord, love for their mother, and love for them. I hope I can do half so well with my boy (when he's born) as Eddie and you have done.
Oh, David, I love reading accounts like this. I wonder the same things. Will God correct the mistakes I made? I pray He does. I so enjoyed your post. Thank you!
I am thinking about the little piece of paper that was in an envelope this Fall...
"the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second best time is today."
I hope regret (my own included) can be an inspiration to plant today.
(Hey, your comment on Seedlings totally made me laugh! :)
"I have so much regret.
Then I think about the gangsters lawyer. And his son, the hero."
And God is faithful despite our mistakes! I'm a mom with many regrets and usually don't think of gangsters. But I can look at my own life and know that God's arm is never too short, and nothing is ever too late or too messed up for His effective grace! Blessings to you!
Very encouraging post!
Eloquent, strong and beautifully woven tapestry of words. Words that speak volumes to your desire to redeem those things that are broken.
Jesus has a way of redeeming our broken pieces and making all things new. Thank you for reminding me today.
Christ has a way of taking the worst possible situation and turning it around for His glory. Amazing.
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I guess we need to evaluate ourselves and look at the influence we may have had on others. But sometimes we can see so many faults in ourselves, we fail to ponder the other side of it -- that God can redeem mistakes. That He is Mighty Enough. Wonderful enough. LOVE enough.
I experienced regrets when I read all the accolades about David Wilkerson, the founder of Teen Challenge and Times Square Church. Everyone commented on how very much he did for God's kingdom, how sincere and faithful and compassionate and dedicated he was. And I looked at my meager life offerings, and thought that no one would ever say those things about me, upon my death. In fact, few people even know me! Know what I think, or how I pray, or what I'd do (if I were able) for the Lord Jesus.
My crowns for service and high character and discipline, when I get to heaven, aren't going to be "many" like Wilkerson's. But God loves me just as much, values me just as much. I'm just as important in his sight. Not because of me, but because that's who God IS. "Long ago, before he made the world, God decided to make us holy in his eyes -- without a single fault -- we who stand before him covered with his love."
Ah, if I, you, we, could only grasp this fully, and hold up our heads and walk in its light and cheer, every day of our lives!
Thanks.
Regrets...I've had a few. Trusting that the places I've messed up and hurt others will become triumphs of God's grace.
Beloved teenage son just made a decision to attend college in Chicago--home to both gangsters and heroes. Happy to come across your piece today for the history lesson alone. I love these kinds of stories.
And, just gotta say it--"My kind of town, Chicago is, my kind of town..."
Wonderful surprise conclusion!
And when I look at my parenting and want to think I'm blowing it, I remind myself that I'm a steward, not an owner, and I'm relying on God's grace to survive all this myself.
I read this. Again. I had five minutes earlier and read then. A few more minutes now.
I read this and I remember another post about cars, and bears maybe, about not leaving for work at the appropriate time so that you could not be the first one in the office.
And this image of lining up cars.
I just looked it up to make certain I had the closing lines correct your son said.
"You and me saving the world."
And these images and words are what I take with me into the kitchen to finish dinner for my children.
Thank you.
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