HARRY S.TRUMAN AND MORE OF MY HERO'S

Some time ago, we wrote in this historical blog-some of my hero's and thought I would write a little more about each of them. As I write, I am enjoying the warm fire inside my abode while the incoming snowstorm brings us close to the Utah Winter Wonderland, which will eventually bring new life to our crops which assist all of us-God's children, living and surviving during our life on earth. Watching the snow pound against my fortified home, I further recognize that above all those that I consider my Hero's, I recognize what God does for us. Then I appreciate my AG teacher-Jay Dalley, who went out of the way to help us win FFA championship teams. Mr. Dalley took the time to explain how all living things come from God above. As it is almost Sunday, I feel Eternal gratitude for the One that gives us all. Now where was I? Oh yes, while on a bus ride through Independence, Missouri, I recognized former President Harry S. Truman walking with a man that appeared to be Secret Service. President Truman, to this Wanna-Be Historian was my personal hero, not for the bombs that killed so many of Japan's common folks, but those bombs helped stop the inhuman treatment of the Chinese and the forced march of our soldiers, one of which was be a future friend and co-worker-Thomas Harrison, who was in the U.S. Army assigned to protect the Philippines with the 21st Artillery. It wasn't long until the Japanese overran Tom's besieged Army, and later wrote a book "Bataan Death March". When I spoke to him many years ago, he wrote the book, not for money, but to help American's know all aspects of the death and destruction of wars. After World War Two was over, Tom Harrison wasn't given much credit for keeping up the morale for he and the 72,000 other prisoners who were forced to march the Bataan Death March, and if they didn't, the Japanese found delight in killing 18,000 soldiers who were slow because of no food, intense hear and disease. Tom said those fellow soldiers would never be recognized like the Marines on Iwo Jima, but Tom took pride to know they kept the Japanese at bay until General MacArthur got out of he war zone. Tom went on to be the Chairman of the Utah Parole Board to consider the men on Death Row and tried his best to bring the good out of the bad. And after waiting for the Army to learn the truth of what he did 66 years before, he received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star; Legion of Merit and Bronze Star. He died at age 93, and this writer is not  a Medical Examiner, but my guess is that his Cause of Death could be due to "Haunting Past" duties. He was and always will be man of pride and courage but accepted the Army Medals on behalf of the boys he made into Men! First photo is Jay Dalley; second is Tom Harrison; Harry Truman & image of God!