Two Stories


Story One

During the course of World War II, many people gained fame in one way or
another. One man was Butch O'Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to an
aircraft carrier in the Pacific.

One time his entire squadron was assigned to fly a particular mission. After
he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had
forgotten to top off his fuel tank. Because of this, he would not have
enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship. His flight
leader told him to leave formation and return. As he was returning to the
mother ship, he could see a squadron of Japanese Zeroes heading toward the
fleet to attack. And with all the fighter planes gone, the fleet was almost
defenseless. His was the only opportunity to distract and divert them.
Single-handedly, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes and attacked
them.

The American fighter planes were rigged with cameras, so that as they flew
and fought, pictures were taken so pilots could learn more about the
terrain, enemy maneuvers, etc. Butch dove at them and shot until all his
ammunition was gone, then he would dive and try to clip off a wing or tail
or anything that would make the enemy planes unfit to fly. He did anything
he could to keep them from reaching the American ships. Finally, the
Japanese squadron took off in another direction, and Butch O'Hare and his
fighter, both badly shot up, limped back to the carrier.

He told his story, but not until the film from the camera on his plane was
developed, did they realize the extent he really went to--- to protect his
fleet. He was recognized as a hero and given one of the nation's highest
military honors.

And, as you may know, O'Hare Airport in Chicago was named after him.



Story Two

Prior to this time, in Chicago, there was a man called Easy Eddie. He was
working for a man you've all heard about, Al Capone. Al Capone wasn't famous
for anything heroic, but he was notorious for the murders he'd committed and
the illegal acts he'd done.

Easy Eddie was Al Capone's lawyer and he was very good. In fact, because of
his skill, he was able to keep Al Capone out of jail. To show his
appreciation, Al Capone paid him very well. He not only earned big money, he
would get extra things, like a residence that filled an entire Chicago City
block. The house was fenced, and he had live-in help and all of the
conveniences of the day.

Easy Eddie had a son. He loved his son and gave him all the best things
while he was growing up; clothes, cars, and a good education. And, because
he loved his son he tried to teach him right from wrong. But one thing he
couldn't give his son was a good name, and a good example.

Easy Eddie decided that this was much more important than all the riches he
had given him. So, he went to the authorities in order to rectify the wrong
he had done. In order to tell the truth, it meant he must testify against Al
Capone, and he knew that Al Capone would do his best to have him killed. But
he wanted most of all to try to be an example and to do the best he could to
give back to his son, a good name. So, he testified. Within the year, he was
shot and killed on a lonely street in Chicago.



The Clincher

These sound like two unrelated stories, but Butch O'Hare was Easy Eddie's
son.

When Easy Eddie O'Hare died, 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.