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I just received an email story from a good friend of mine and published author Larry Shaak from Pasqua, Sask. This story is absolutely true and likely a good illustration of the power of unconditional love, and maybe even the power of will to become the best we can be no matter what our life has been up to now. I'll paraphrase to shorten it up.

We know who Al Capone was. He basically owned the city of Chicago. Capone had a lawyer nicknamed 'Easy Eddy', and Capone used him alone simply because he was extremely skillful in the legal arena, and kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.

Capone paid him well, and he lived in a mansion with an estate that covered an entire city block in Chicago. Eddy lived the high life of the mob and always turned a blind eye to the atrocities that went on around him.

Eddy had a son who was his pride and joy and he saw to it that his son had the best of everything; price was no object in this regard. Despite his involvement in organized crime, Eddie tried to teach him right from wrong. He hoped as we all do that his son would turn out better and have everything required for a happy healthy life, and of course hoping his son would never live a life like his.

Eddie began to realize that even with all his wealth and influence, a good name and a good example would not be a legacy he could ever leave for his son. Eddie decided that it was time to rectify some wrongs. He went to the authorities and offered to testify against the mob, knowing the personal cost would be great, but hoping to give some semblance of integrity to his son.

He testified and within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago street. He paid the greatest price for the greatest gift; unselfish unconditional love.

In his pockets the police removed a rosary, a crucifix a religious medallion, and a poem he had 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." - Author unknown...

Very touching story and here's another; this one is also as true, as true can be.

Lieutenant commander Butch O'Hare was a navy fighter pilot during WWII and stationed on the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific.

One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. Once airborne Butch realized that he did not have a full tank of fuel on board and he would not have enough to complete the mission and return home.

His flight leader ordered him back to the ship and he reluctantly dropped out of formation and headed back. As he was returning he saw a squadron of Japanese aircraft speeding its way toward the American fleet. Unable to contact the ship or his fellow pilots and bring them back in time, 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 with 50 caliber wing guns blazing. He wove in and out of the surprised Japanese planes and hit as many of them as he could 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 as possible, rendering them unfit to fly. Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron turned tail and headed home. Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier.

Upon arrival he reported in and related the events 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, 1943, and for that action Butch became the Navy's first Ace of WWII, 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 WWII hero to fade, and today, O' Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man. Could you imagine that these two stories could ever be intertwined?

Butch O'Hare was 'Easy Eddy's' son... Oh, the power of love!!! Thanks for the stories Larry, gives me goose bumps...

Create Great Thoughts - With No Regard to Logic.

Kevin is a business man, writer and poet in Saskatchewan. He is nearing completion of a book on self help, mind power and philosophy. He knows first hand the power of our human thought/feeling processes. His website will be set up in the near future.