HELP! FIRE!

HELP! FIRE!!

Sunday, April 02, 2017

John 15:13 [Jesus explained] Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

  James Robert McGee was born 1900 and died 1981. My dear beloved uncle that taught me always, and protected me when need be.

  He was born and raised in an Appalachian coal region, worked in the underground mines. Though he never acquired a drivers license, he ran moonshine over ridges and down hollows. He also was an infantryman in “The Great War”, “The War to End All Wars”. He slept in muddy trenches, was gassed, shot and shrapnel wounded and awarded medals for those moments.  He saw many of his Appalachian hometown friends die by the fine aim of the “Bosche”, “Those da#@+& kraut cabbage heads.” He fought fear as often as the German soldier.

  He fought at The Rock of the Marne, Belleau Woods, near Château-Thierry, and other oddly named horrific killing fields.

  Under the influence of alcohol he would tell of a beautiful Spring day in a peaceful rest area as once bathed, shaved and fed, he and a boyhood pal pleasantly walked an old railroad path enjoying the reprieve. He couldn’t remember exactly what the conversation was about, but he vividly recalled silence when his friend stopped speaking. There was no rifle crack from sniper or stray American Expeditionary Force bullet that killed the man.

  Another time when escaping his anguish, in going to the bathroom in the middle of the night, he suffered the illusion that the house was on fire and began loudly calling out. As was in those days before AC, windows were up, screens were in, and neighbors heard shouting and sirens and responded as a concerned pajama and nightgown clad crowd.

  Uncle Jim was “shell shocked” to the degree that he could not hold a job though he tried. Shortly after marrying my Mom, my father decided he should live with us. Within a year I came along. Two years later brother Jim arrived.

  Uncle Jim lived with us until he passed from this life’s battlefield. He loved and cared for us. I love, have utmost respect and admiration for Uncle Jim. His attention, example, and teachings greatly influence my life.

  James Robert McGee is one of my heroes. He is indeed both Uncle and friend.

EBB4 (Originally written years ago.)