Every generation stands upon the shoulders of the prior, to its betterment, or its downfall. We who now stand, lifting the next higher, do so at our peril, for it is our responsibility if they fall prematurely. Thank God we had better men than we to lift us up.
So many have passed on, so many have struck their colors at the end of the longest march, ready to finally pull off their boots. But this is a nation that, as a whole, has forgotten how to mourn greatness.
Ed McMahon, TV Celebrity, was remembered fondly by all, but his greatness was glossed over. CNN remember it with one line: "He later joined the Marines and served in World War II and Korea." Colonel Ed McMahon, USMC, was more than a TV celeb, he was a real man, a father, and a hero.
Much has been made of celebrities like Eddie Albert, Bea Arthur, Gene Autry, Humphrey Bogart, Charles Bronson, Jimmy Stewart, Michael Caine, Kirk Douglas, Clark Gable, James Garner, Audrey Hepburn, Lee Marvin, Walter Matthau, Ray Milland, Audie Murphy, David Niven, Sir Laurence Olivier, Jack Palance, Tyrone Power, Rod Steiger, Peter Ustinov, and others, known more for their silver screen achievements than anything. But none of them made much of themselves, as heros never do, for each served their country with distinction in time of war. We mourn many of them without realizing what heroes they were. We should thank those left for their service.
Though not a celebrity, another true hero has left us, Colonel Timothy Donovan, father of John, of theDonovan and Argghhh!, who passed yesterday. Rest in Peace, Sir, and know we mourn the loss of another hero, one who held his family, and his country, high.
