My granddaughter Bella asked, “Nana, does Grandpa live at the airport?” she replied, “Kind of, yes.” (posting again since it was such a great story)
Being in airports I keep my antennas up for interesting people and ways to witness for Christ. If I see a priest in collar or a nun in habit I drop my luggage, run over and thank them profusely for serving the Church.
I do the same for military personnel. Today I saw an elderly black man hobbling to a seat in the airport. My antennas picked up on his hat which looked like it might be a military commemorative “ball cap.”
I got up and walked over. I said, “Hello sir. Does that hat say you served our military?” For the next ten minutes Janet and I heard a remarkable story.
Eighty-seven year old George Taylor was on his way to Washington to receive the Congressional Gold Medal for serving as a Marine in the Pacific arena in WWII. He was in the FIRST Black Marine Corps.
He told us how tough it was in racist America at the time and he recounted stories of their times in war. I announced to everyone sitting nearby that they were in the presence of a hero.
(Hat says “1942-1947, Congressional Gold Medal) Beyond his military service he worked hard afterwards, even though he only had an 8th grade education. He worked his way up until he eventually built a house next to the mayor and all of his kids have impressive degrees with enviable careers. He is a genuine American success story.
Before I left I said, “I bet you are a Christian too, aren’t you?” he responded, “Yes sir, and I go to church.” he smiled when I told him I’d put his story and pictures on my website – and watch to see him on the news.
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