Two Great Stories

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Two Great Short Stories - BOTH TRUE - and worth reading!

STORY NUMBER ONE
Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago . Capone
Wasn't famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for
Enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze
And prostitution to murder.

Capone had a lawyer nicknamed "Easy Eddie." He was his
Lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie's
Skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.

To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only
Was the money big, but also, Eddie got special dividends. For
Instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with
Live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate
Was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block.

Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little
Consideration to the atrocity that went on around him. Eddie did
Have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly.
Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars, and a good
Education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object. And,
Despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried
To teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a
Better man than he was. Yet, with all his wealth and influence,
There were two things he couldn't give his son; he couldn't pass
On a good name or a good example.

One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie
Wanted to rectify wrongs he had done. He decided he would go
To the authorities and tell the truth about Al "Scarface" Capone,
Clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance
Of integrity.

To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he
Knew that the cost would be great.

So, he testified.

Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a
Lonely Chicago Street . But in his eyes, he had given his son the
Greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever
Pay.

Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious
Medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine. The poem read:

The clock of life is wound but once,
And no man has the power
To tell just when the hands will stop
At late or early hour.
Now is the only time you own.
Live, love, toil with a will.
Place no faith in time.
For the clock may soon be still.

STORY NUMBER TWO

World War II produced many heroes. One such man was
Lieutenant Commander Butch O'Hare. He was a fighter pilot
Assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific.

One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he
Was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that
Someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would not
Have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his
Ship. His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly,
He dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet.

As he was returning to the mother ship he saw something that
Turned his blood cold: a squadron of Japanese aircraft were
Speeding their way toward the American fleet. The American
Fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but
Defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them
Back in time to save the fleet Nor could he warn the fleet of the
Approaching danger.

There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them
From the fleet. Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he
Dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50
Caliber's' blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy
Plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken
Formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his
Ammunition was finally spent. Undaunted, he continued the
Assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in
Hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible and
Rendering them unfit to fly.

Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another
Direction. Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter
Limped back to the carrier. Upon arrival, he reported in and
Related the event surrounding his return. The film from the gun-
Camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent
Of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact,
Destroyed five enemy aircraft.

This took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action Butch
became the Navy's first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator
to win the Congressional Medal of Honor.

A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29.

His home town would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to
fade, and today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute
to the courage of this great man.

So, the next time you find yourself at O'Hare International, give
some thought to visiting Butch's memorial displaying his statue
and his Medal of Honor. It's located between Terminals 1 and 2.

SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH
EACH OTHER?

Butch O'Hare was "Easy Eddie's" son.