Waiting For The Right Thing To Be Done

President Obama is always talking about righting wrongs. On this anniversary of D-Day, I know of one wrong he can right: Award a Medal of Honor posthumously to First Lieutenant Garlin Murl Conner. 

He served with distinction and valor in the United States Army during World War II. He is Kentucky's most decorated war hero. He servedon the front lines for over eight hundred days in eight major campaigns. He was wounded seven times but returned to combat and continued to fight on the front lines after each wound.  

 Lt. Conner left the U.S. Army as the second-most decorated soldier during World War II, earning four Silver Stars, four Bronze Stars, seven Purple Hearts, the Distinguished Service Cross and the French Medal of Honor for his actions during 28 straight months in combat. 

Audie Murphy has always been recognized as the most decorated soldier during World War II. The Medal of Honor would give Lt. Conner one more award than Audie Murphy, thus making him America's most decorated hero of all wars. 

Before his death, Lt. Conner's commander in World War II, retired Maj. Gen. Lloyd B. Ramsey of Salem, Va., filed an affidavit saying Lt. Conner's work, while injured, provided valuable intelligence. 

"There is no doubt that Lt. Conner should have been awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions," Ramsey wrote. "One of the most disappointing regrets of my career is not having the Medal of Honor awarded to the most outstanding soldier I've ever had the privilege of commanding." 

Lt. Conner's fellow soldiers also filed affidavits crediting Conner with helping not only save the lives of fellow soldiers but being key to defeating the Germans in the battle. 

"Between the artillery strikes Conner called in and spray from his own machine gun, he killed at least 50 German soldiers and wounded twice as many. His heroic and entirely voluntary act saved our battalion. If he hadn't done what he did, we would have had to fight for our lives," said retired Lt. Harold Wigetman, a member of the red Battalion. 

Mr. President, do the right thing. Award the Medal of Honor to Lt. Garlin Murl Conner.

The Steps of a Good Man

(A tribute to Harlin Dyer, who died 50 years ago today, July 13, 2015)

"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?' (Micah 6:8)

Often, I visit the graves of two of Clinton County's finest men, Harlin Dyer and Oren Reneau. I was only five years old when they died, but their story, especially the ending, touches my heart and has always had an effect on me, so much so that I have never been able to get away from it. I will visit their graves, Oren's for example, and I will stand there and take a photo of his grave marker. It's the same as the photo I took the time before that, and the time before that, and before that, and before that. I am not sure why really, but I am drawn to their story and what took place at the end of their lives. Maybe it is the writer in me that always brings my thoughts back to these two men.

Both were alike in many ways. Both had been successful in business. Both had been looked up to and greatly admired. They were great public servants and leaders in the community and in church. Their faiths were strong. They shared the same morals of God, family and country, and they were friends.

Harlin Dyer did many things during his life; state representative, bank cashier, insurance and real estate businesses. Born on October 21, 1879, Harlin lived life to the fullest and literally gave away all he had before passing on. He served God, his church, and his family with a love undescribable, according to his grandson, Pat.

Born on November 28, 1895, Oren Reneau was the son of legendary preacher, Isaac Tipton Reneau. He started out to serve in the U.S. Army on February 22, 1918, but a broken left elbow during training led to a medical discharge on December 4th that same year. Oren graduated from the Louisville College of Pharmacy in 1923 and eventually started Reneau's Drug Store in Albany.

We don't know what tomorrow will bring. Only God knows how long our days are. James 4:14 says life is but a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. When Harlan died on July 13, 1965, Oren served as one of the pallbearers at his funeral. As they were rolling the casket out the door of the Methodist Church in town, Oren remarked out loud, "I wonder who the next one will be?" The shocking reality was that one week later, on July 22, 1965, it was him.

Psalms 37:23 says the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. Without question, Harlin Dyer and Oren Reneau were good men.

Hanging On The Old Barbed Wire

If you want to find the old battalion
I know where they are
I know where they are
I know where they are

If you want to find the old battalion
I know where they are
They're hanging on the old barbed wire

I've seen 'em
I've seen 'em
Hanging on the old barbed wire

I've seen 'em
I've seen 'em
Hanging on the old barbed wire