The American-born boys and the Greeks, Irish, Poles, Jews, and Italians who were in my platoon in the World War. A heap of them couldn’t speaker write the American language until they larned it in the Army. Over here in the training camps and behind the lines in France a right-smart lot of them boozed, gambled, cussed, and went A. W. O. L. But once they got into it Over There they kept on a-going. They were only tollable shots and burned up a most awful lot of ammunition. But jest the same they always kept on a-going. Most of them died like men, with their rifles and bayonets in their hands and their faces to the enemy. I’m a-thinkin* they were real heroes. Any way they were my buddies. I jes learned to love them.
SERGEANT ALVIN C. YORK
Freedom abides in the hearts of men, all men the world over.
Audie Murphy the most decorated soldier of World War II said: These medals belong to the heroes who died.” loosely quoted but the same as York said.
If we all get to heaven wouldn’t it be great to be able to meet and greet men like Alvin C. York.
Indeed Anzlyne! Meeting the good and great, both known and unknown to History, in Heaven I have always found a tantalizing prospect!