User Panel
Edit- It's amazing. The bravery of our troops in times of war, and then to just say, "I was just doing my job" and play it off. A great American right there. |
|
|
|
|
Those who are really a hero,will never tell,they will never let on to the great things they have done. This country is filled with men who have done great things, yet you will most likly never hear these stories,because they are just men who were doing a job and they want no part of glory.
|
|
HarrySacz - agreed There are those who know this lesson already. Yet, there are so many more who haven't been as fortunate as I to have learned it by meeting such great men. I posted this for those who haven't been as blessed to have learned some of the most basic truths of life. It saddens me to see our young people who look up to, worship, and idolize people not worthy of such admiration while the true heroes of our nation go quietly about their business. This was a great man, who humbled himself by cleaning toilets. |
|
|
I look up to those i learn about on the History channel, not mtv. Many people in this country could not even tell you the day Pearl Harbor was attacked,and that is sickning,we owe EVERYTHING to these men and women, to those who did everything they could. |
||
|
Mr. Crawford is a perfect example of a real soldier.
He did what he had to do to save his friends. I'm sure he was not thinking "WTF can I do to make myself look good.? |
|
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for that story!!
I really needed that. This one really hit me about today: 6. Leaders Should Be Humble. Most modern day heroes and some leaders are anything but humble, especially if you calibrate your "hero meter" on today's athletic fields. End zone celebrations and self-aggrandizement are what we've come to expect from sports greats. Not Mr. Crawford-he was too busy working to celebrate his past heroics. Leaders would be well-served to do the same. If only our elected leaders were humble like this man. If only athletes and movie stars (people who, unfortunately, dominate our viewing) could emulate this man. Oh well. Thank God for his bravery and his example. |
|
Thanks for the story. Very humbling. Makes you realize there are alot of unspoken heroes in our midst.
|
|
This was written by By Col. James Moschgat, 12th Operations Group Commander and is posted on this website
|
|
GREAT STORY!
I find myself thinking about such things,when the old guy in the car in front of me is driving to0 slow,or the Walmart checker isn't fast enough to suit me,or the old man ahead of me is shuffling along,and holding me up.Puts things in perspective and calms me right down. God Bless 'em! |
|
Yes--so true. Last night I held a heavy access door for an elderly lady on my way into a building. As I left she was coming in again, but this time pushing a man I presumed to be her husband in a wheelchair. This time they were at the elevator and I took a moment to hold the door so she could enter properly. They seemed so very thrilled for this small gesture. He looked the right age to be a WWII veteran. Dunno if he was, as there was no conversation, just a happy, heartfelt "thank you!" from them. Their demeanor indicated they were thrilled but also surprised for this smallest courtesy. It's sad our country has slipped to the point a younger man isn't EXPECTED to hold a door for his infirm elders. Thanks for posting this. RIP Mr. Crawford. |
|
|
Yes, I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Crawford while I was at USAFA. That is why I wanted to pass this story along, even though it was written by someone else. Mr. Crawford was a very humble, yet great man. Had his story not been out, you would never know however, as he never talked about himself. He was the most amazing person that I have ever met simply because of how humble he was.
Pueblo, CO Medal of Honor recipient, the late William Crawford; Lt. General Carol Mutter; Colorado Springs, CO Medal of Honor recipient, Peter "Pete" C. Lemon, and Ruben Archuleta. |
|||
|
It is also posted on eDodo in the folklore section: www.usafatoday.com/Folklore/modules/news/article.php?storyid=473 I was just remembering a better time with better people I guess: |
|
|
I wholeheartedly concur. |
|
|
Agreed! Great story and lessons to carry into the New Year. Humility, Kindness, Courtesy, Respect... |
|
|
Humbled?
Yes! Everytime I read the citations for the MOH recipients, I get a warm, shivery feeling that starts from my neck and on down my back. I tend to get emotional as I read them and then I feel pride that I too was a member of the United States Armed Forces and was able to retire. Life is not very easy in the military, but these folks stood tall and went beyond what was required of them. I bow my head to all of the Medal of Honor recipients then, now and in the future. I shall salute them proudly forever. |
|
Wow... Just, wow. I had never this story before, and I feel privelaged having read it now. A friend of mine once said, "Life is a field of honor that most simply retreat from, only to claim arrogance from having escaped unscathed." Something like that. His point was that humility is lost on many, while life is filled with chances to be a hero. Not the traditional sense of heroism with medals and recognition, but someone's hero none-the-less.
If there was ever a humble hero, surely this man fits the bill. Go with God, kind and gentle sir. This world is a much lesser place without you. |
|
Thank you for that nice story. Many times I have met heros and heard there stories later. I have met many amazing men that were war heros, POW's, in the Bataan death March and other things. I am pleased to work with Veterans. I do know that I have labeled some of them and getting to know them and talking to them and hearing about there life experiences has made me a better person and let me know so much about the human spirit. |
|
|
That made my day. God bless the soul of Mr. Thompson and all of our brave men and women in the service of our country.
|
|
Godspeed Bill Crawford. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice and your heroism.
|
|
Thank you for a great story. I will make sure that my son reads this.
|
|
Thanks for posting that story.I have a lot of respect for Vets.
|
|
Just remember that every time you see some old coot fidgeting in the line at Wall-Mart or such,while the chashier is basically screwing up everything that comes her way!!
He keeps his cool and don't say shit,cause unbeknown to you or me he may be the last of the breed! A surviver of anzio,tarowa,or some little attol that don't mean squat to us!!! Reverence the very old as they are born from poverty,and the great deppresion and had to fight and WORK for every thing they ever got!!! Great story!!!!!! Bob |
|
Amongst all the inane "big drunk girl" and "I can kick Chuck Norris' ass" threads, it is quite refreshing to read a story like this.
Young people today do not have a clue. It is no exaggeration to say that Bill Crawford and the rest of his comrades in World War II saved the free world. Thank you for posting this. |
|
Yes, as well as many other people. To work at USAFA in any capacity, even as a janitor or waiter, means you have to have a security clearance. This means many of the people who work at USAFA are retired or prior military. The ironic part is how many of the young cadets dismiss these people as insignificant because of the jobs that they hold at that time. You only find out by 1) prior common knowledge of this peoples' history that is passed down through the wing or 2) by 'humbling' yourself to actually treat these people as human beings and come to know them. It isn't uncommon that your lowly waiter be an ex-SF Silver Star winner from Vietnam. And it isn't uncommon that your janitor be a Medal of Honor winner from WWII. Yes, I met Mr. Crawford and I am a better person for having the priviledge and honor of having done so. |
|
|
See this thread: www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=424348&page=1 |
|
|
Thank you for sharing such a great story. Its so cool that when he finally received his medal, it was Reagan who presented it.
Patty |
|
Patty - yes it was and it spoke highly of another mans' character that I admire greatly. |
|
|
It was my misfortune not to serve under any USAF officers that followed the principles layed out by Col. Moschgat when I was doing my service time. The Officers I ran into soured me greatly on the military, and life in general.
|
|
Wow...thanks...
I'll pass this along to the airmen in my shop... |
|
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.