Because someone cried

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In my day job we don't usually get a lot of "positive" feedback. We always hear when we got it wrong, though, on anything from a name misspelling to a wrong date or address or color or...the list goes on.

We don't usually hear from the public unless we got something wrong.

That is why when I received a phone call from a man that I had done a story for about his brother who had been killed during World War II, I felt certain I had gotten something wrong.

Background

The story had been sitting on my desk for almost a year. . .

Because we run two weekly newspapers, a monthly edition and six special editions throughout the year and there are only two reporters, we often have to put things on the back burner.

The story about 20-year old Alvin Haffner was no different.

The folder containing the now declassified materials related to this young man who lost his life in Belgium in January 1945 had collected dust, literally.

I felt bad about it. Every time I looked at that folder I knew there was someone's story in there. But other things took priority.

Then in May I had a thought. I would write up the three stories of Alvin and two other deceased soldiers for Memorial Day.

Long story short, that didn't happen. I got one of the stories done, but Alvin's was still sitting in a dusty folder on my desk.

A couple of weeks ago someone asked what we were going to have for a 4th of July story because they had liked the story I had done for Memorial Day. (First I heard of it!)

That got me thinking about Alvin again.

Being the procrastinator that I am, however, I didn't even open the folder until a few days before my deadline.

The Story Unfolds

Alvin's story is probably not much different from many of the young men around the world who went to war during the second "great" war.

He was young, full of life and adventure and dreams and plans. He had wants and needs. He had a mom and dad and brothers and a sister. He had a girlfriend and plans for the future.

But on a fateful morning in Belgium, Alvin's life ended while he defended his country along with the countries of the United States allies.

A mortar shell penetrated the armor of the tank he was driving. The shell exploded and a fragment of the shrapnel hit Alvin and he slumped over in his seat.

The four other men in his tank struggled to get Alvin out of the burning tank, but the flames forced them back and out of it.

They were forced back from the area by the heavy artillery fire. It was several days before they could return to the area after retaking the ground they had lost.

His commander, who had been with him in the tank, was the one who personally inspected the tank.

His report stated that everything inside the tank had been reduced to ashes with nothing that "resembled human remains."

Alvin received two Purple Heart medals—one for an injury from shrapnel in his face in November 1944 and then the one when he lost his life which was given posthumously.

Celebrating Freedom

Many of us come from countries that are free for the most part. But do we really spend the time to reflect on what that means? Do we think about the sacrifices that our ancestors gave so that we could live the way we want (for the most part)?

Without these freedoms, we wouldn't be able to create our own online businesses. We couldn't write about what we want. We couldn't even talk negatively about our governments!

Because someone cried . . .

Back to my story about Alvin that ran in the newspaper July 3. Alvin's brother called the news office and wanted to talk with me.

I was nervous. This was an important story and I didn't want it to be wrong.

When I was talking to Alvin's brother John (seated, in the photo next to his sister Lila and their other brother Gary, standing), I could hardly understand him because he was crying.

He said, "I just wanted to thank you for the story you did on Alvin."

I replied, "I hope it was good. He seemed like the kind of person I would have liked to have known."

John answered, "It must have been good. It made me cry."

Still crying, his voice hitching on every word, he said "Thank you" and a hurried goodbye and hung up.

His emotion touched my heart. His emotion made me know that I had done my job. His tears were the only thank you I needed.

Today, I shed a tear for Alvin and the many other brave men and women who made it possible for me to celebrate this 4th of July...our Independence Day.

I know not everyone celebrates this holiday, but for those of you who do, I hope this little story made you think about what it means.

Best wishes,
Karin :)

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Recent Comments

26

You have a wonderful way of writing, in WA
your posts are always very interesting. So it does not surprise me at all that such a poignant event is happening to you. You are a beautiful person and sometimes life makes us a beautiful gift and this is the case of your beautiful story.

Friendly,
Ingrid

From the land down under I thank you.

My school during the 1950s was the headquarters of Gen Douglas McArthur during the Second World war in Australia.

Thanks to the US, we do not have to speak a second language, etc.

Tom.

As another Aussie, I totally agree Tom.

Working together many countries defeated a great wrong that was being done. If we keep working together, maybe we can avoid another world war.

Thanks for sharing this information. I find history a very fascinating.

Best wishes,
Karin 😁

Great story, we got a lot to be thankfull for

Thank you for the story Karin. Hopefully, the younger members will realize what war does and want to avoid it at all cost.

Derek

A lovely story Karin.

They were a different breed.
Came from a hardy seed.
Risked their lives every day
for more than just pay.
Far away, enduring lack,
they had each others back.
Injuries taken, lives lost
for freedom, such a cost.
So many families lost all,
So our countries wouldn't fall.

Remember them all.

Sad, but true, so many men, women, and even children have died so that we can enjoy the freedoms we often simply ignore. I fear we are a generation (actually, several generations) of ingrates and have a sad lack of appreciation for the life we have.

I really enjoyed reading that Karin, very inspiring, it must have been so nice for Alvin's brother to see it after so many years, brilliant.
Happy 4th of July from over here across the pond in England, UK.

Thank you, Russ. I think he truly was touched and that made it worth the work to do it.

Best wishes,
Karin 😁

Karin
What a beautiful post, I have a lump in my throat and my eyes seem to be watering.
You certainly tell a good story, I too would have cried if I had read a story in a newspaper and it was about my brother....
xx

Thanks, I am glad you enjoyed the story. I get choked up every time I think about it. Especially when I see that young man's picture...

Best wishes,
Karin 😁

Good one Karin.

Most times we carried away by the euphoria around and as a result do not remember people who laud down their lives for the freedom we now take as given.

On 12th June 1993, in my Country of birth, Nigeria, a began a process that eventually consumed his life. And that is the price of our democracy today.

Those are the heroes. I join everyone to remember and celebrate them.

And thank you Karin for the post.

Segun

Thank you, Segun. Each of us have so much to be grateful for.

Best wishes,
Karin 😁

Hi Karin, I am new here but I enjoy reading the wonderful stories that everyone here at WA put on their blogs. I often think of my ancestors of the sacrificies they made so that I could be here writing this, I know a few of them were slaves and how hard it was for them, but I also know that the many young men and women that died in the wars died so that I could be here. What a lovely story it brought tears to my eyes. Veronica.

Thank you for sharing, Veronica. I appreciate the sacrifice and struggle of our ancestors and for the freedoms that they had to fight for overseas and right here at home. I am glad you enjoyed the story.

Best wishes,
Karin 😁

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