Veterans Day,
Friday, November 11, 2016. We, as American citizens, should recognize the
sacrifices our veterans have made in order that we remain a free people. To
remind myself of these sacrifices, I saw a movie last two years ago – “Fury”,
starring Brad Pitt as a tank commander during the last days of World War II.
Seeing this movie not only reminded me of our veteran’s sacrifices but also
served to help me realize how trivial most of our disagreements are concerning
how to best educate our students or who to vote for in any upcoming election. Joe Tunnell (Lindsay H.S. football coach, 1968-1982),
perhaps reflected on what’s really important in 1968 in the locker room
following a Clinton-Lindsay playoff game (I had written an earlier column about it).
The Red Tornados had just put a “beat down” on a very good Lindsay Leopard
football team, 35-7. Tunnell entered the locker room where the first thing he
said to his down trodden players was “If we ever go to war with Russia, those
guys are on our side.” Tunnell put the devastating loss in perspective for his
team by reminding them that “it’s only a game” and there are more important
things to think about, like the real-life “game” our veterans have played and
won.
We can honor our military
heroes by recognizing the contributions of a real veteran today. For me, I’ll
do that now: Warren H. Beckham (1920-1968) was a United States Army veteran of
World War II and fought with the 87th Infantry Mountain Division in
Italy (1942-1945). Uncle Warren was awarded the Silver Star on July 6, 1945 for
his actions during the push through fascist Italy in the war against Nazi
Germany. The account of these actions that merited the commendation is located
in the Army Hall of Valor and is as follows:
“ General Order 127, July 6, 1945.
Award of Silver Star.
Warren H. Beckham, 87th Mountain Infantry.
For gallantry in
action on 15 April 1945, near Mt. Pigna, Italy.
During the attack
on a strongly defended mountain, Sergeant Beckham, mortar squad leader,
emplaced his weapon on the top of a nearby hill, and then moved forward to the
to the highest point, which was absolutely devoid of cover, to direct mortar
fire on the hostile emplacements on the mountain. Despite direct firing of
artillery and sniper fire, which endangered his life continually, he remained
exposed to the intense enemy action, calmly zeroing in on the enemy
machine-guns and pill-boxes which were holding up the advance of the company.
His gallant conduct and skillful placement of the mortar fire on the hostile
defenders greatly expedited the winning of the objective. Sergeant Beckham’s
heroic performance of a dangerous mission adds luster to the finest traditions
of the United States Army.”
Warren H. Beckham,
like all veterans, served his country when “winning” meant preserving our way
of life in the U.S.A., and “losing” meant allowing the Nazis to change it. We
must always put things in perspective and realize that the ultimate “game” has
already been played by our veterans, and we won.
Prologue: Warren
Beckham was killed in an oilfield explosion near Ardmore, Oklahoma on March 11,
1968 at age 47.
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