Life's Heroes

 One thing that Ms. Prudent had said concerning the aid rendered Timothy during play was that it was "heroic". That is questionable. It was a nice deed; but, life has been blessed with moments around an American hero. An gentleman met after the millennium was a Vietnam-era war veteran. Whose body still had the signs of warfare. He was missing a few digits, and he had trouble walking. He said that he had been hit in a tank where he was the gunner. And when, he heard the shell coming he turnt and shielded his driver. Who was a man of smaller physical stature. Sadly, the medic happily treated his driver who was an European American and planned on leaving him on the battlefield near a "unnamed" river since he was an African American and seen as less valuable. However, the man whom he shielded fought with the medics and used his life as a bargaining chips. Saying that, he was dying on that field along with his gunner. If, the medics did not render him aid also.

That veteran who had his own story of events which mostly likely did not and does not match "official" reports of the war said that the Americans had their opponents on the run and were decimating their ranks; however, they would retreat across a river and find reinforcements. Who would come across the river in droves. He said that they were always told that they should not cross the river and pursue the opposing soldiers; because, they would be entering China. And, that would most probably ignite World War III. Seeing that, the Soviet Union and China were supporting the Vietnamese who were fighting the American forces.

Much of that history is unknown. Seeing that, it was seen through the eyes of a child. Yet, that gentleman is an American hero. For when, he returnt home. His service was not fully respected. He attended a local community college during the late-70s seeking a associate's degree in business. And, he struggled in elementary statistics. He said that he sought a tutor; however, his instructor was very discouraging. Albeit, at the same time, he was bending over backwards helping the only Asian refugee who was a student in the class. Yet, this hero who was hindered from reaching his educational goals never expressed a deep hatred of European or Asian Americans.

He also was the father of three or four children. Whom he supported as a custodian. It was recalled that he would be seen walking in the direction of the mall where he worked. During, the late-70s and early-80s, the bus lines stopped a mile or so shy of the malls. The one he worked at was on the south side of US Highway 6 and nestled among a elite neighborhood of luxury homes.  It would never fail that he would be seen at times walking during the sweltering hundred-degree weather of the summer in this temperate zone and trudging through drifts of snow during the subzero weather of winter. That is dedication.

He said that he was not always treated with much respect as a African American custodian among a shopping center primarily patronized by wealthy European Americans. He shared stories concerning some of the uglier moments with which he dealt.

[Rom 2:11 KJV] 11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

HE does not see social status as we do.

But, he worked diligently for decades supporting his children and wife. Who are model citizens that have never had legal trouble, attend church, are employed, and have families of their own.

So, long story short, an real hero has been met. And, what was done for Tim was a nice deed. But, it was not heroic. In fact, it could be easily said while this lion tells his story that he is far from a hero. Albeit, he is not an anti-hero in that he is highly altruistic. 

As Paul said,

[1Co 10:24 KJV] 24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's [wealth].

Where [wealth] is best translated as [well-being] in the given context.

Yet, we might have more ties that we realize, and one arises from an insight shared.

As psychologist and sociologist teach, children prepared for the adult world and future vocations via play. As a child, this young lion would often play scientist, especially while watching public broadcasting and NOVA. He was well-aware that the general American public would not accept an innovation from a child, in particular an African American one. So, he thought of pseudonyms under which he might perform meaningful research. These names always sounded very European and quite frequently Germanic. Seeing that, life in Heartland had provided many interactions with those who were quite proud of their Germanic heritage and saw themselves as naturally members of a master race. So, it was well-known at an early age that the intellectual property of European was seen as highly valuable and of the utmost quality. Where it was seen that that of the African was grossly inferior and defective. So, these names were chosen seeing that they would facilitate the acceptance of the associated ideas.

During a particular early-70s broadcast of NOVA, a special was shown on warfare and ciphering military messages. And, the classic Caesar's cipher was shown. It was near that time, a few days before that broadcast, some moments of were had in recreational mathematics. And, simple series of repeated divisions were done on a set of quotients and the associated remainders. This resulted in yielding a seemingly random pattern. This was shared as a potential mathematical research idea. And, it was asked if anyone studied randomness and how it might be created or simulated. 

Upon seeing the broadcast concerning the famous ancient cipher which shifts each letter in a message by a fixed amount, it was wondered what a series of random shifts would do. And if, deciphering the message without the key-sequence would be very difficult if not impossible. And, like the boy with a few fish and some barely loaves, the idea was openly and freely shared. That was after basic whole number addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division was learnt. It was before 1976.

It is believed that was the year that family traded in a '68 Kilpatrick Green Camero for a Silver '77 Monte Carlo with a red sport stripe at the Rosen-Novak dealership. And, that '77 Monte Carlo is a very critical memory marker. Because, during second grade, a national news broadcast was heard concerning a bright young mathematician who had aided the American military greatly and was receiving a reward. The broadcast said that he would be receiving a free vacation. So, he could see his elderly grandmother.

It just so happened that our family vacation started in that Monte Carlo a few days later. And, it would have been unremarkable had not the city of Atlanta been cleared of traffic. When, we entered the city. In fact, the interstate entering the city was clear of any and all cars, trucks, and semi-trailers. It was most probably the summer of '78. And, as we drove along the city streets during what should have been rush hour, the streets were clear. We arrived at an old historic downtown hotel. If, it is recalled correctly that hotel was supposedly being demolished the next year. Considering the time in history, segregation, and the American South, it was quite a treat. The hotel had a skeleton staff working. Plus, it looked like were most likely their only guest besides a scant few others. We ate that evening in a Grand Dining Room. Which had enormous crystal chandeliers. It was recalled that a bowl of crab bisque was had. Which it believed was just an appetizer; however, it was enough for a seven-year-old. Yet, during that meal, a couple of men in suits were sitting at a table across the way. They were the only other diners that evening while we ate. One of them said, "Can you believe it! That is him!" And, he motioned in our direction. They continued talking. But, it was unknown what he was so excited about.

After, we ate. We retired in the hotel room. And, the man who said, ".... That is him!" came by the room. He said that he would not tolerate seeing this young lion have anything that his children could not have. And, he asked about the shirt which was worn that had a bongo player and the word "Caramba!" embroidered on the left breast. It had come from JC Penney. He was told that, if he left his address and his children's sizes, they would be mailed the same shirts.  

Apparently, whatever was done. It was not sufficient for staying that racially charged treatment that is more American and entrenched than mom, baseball, and apple pie.

Considering that, a post-baccalaureate in computer science eventually was earnt along with one in software engineering many very "de ja vu" moments were met as the curriculum was studied. At times, strong visual memories surfaced concerning the times and places were certain thoughts and suggestions arose. Seeing that, life during college was still lived in the metroplex where the insights had originally arisen. So, they could be easily recalled because the surroundings were very familiar and various objects would stimulate the clear, distinct memories.