May is here, and I am once again reminded of May flowers and mothers.  I thought I knew what I was going to share with you this month, but something happened last night that made me realize it needed to wait.  (And at this moment, I shall jot a note about it while I remember it…or you may never see it!)

Last year, we shared an interview with Jimmy Fortune, Grand Old Opry star and the former tenor for The Statler Brothers (the most awarded act in music history).  Jimmy was coming to Huntsville for the first time to perform at The Old Town Theatre, and his show was wonderful.  Last night, he returned–and while the show was just as good as last year, there was a special difference in the attendance.

This year, a special guest was in the audience: Mr. Buck Sloan.  Mr. Sloan, who served in World War II, is 99 years young and still quite the spry fellow.  It is fairly rare in this day and time to meet someone who served in WWII; especially when you and that someone almost bump into each other in the aisle, and he asks you with a wink if you would like to dance.  Laughing, we decided neither of us had the current coordination to “cut a rug” on a sloping theatre aisle!  The icebreaker of our moment allowed me the opportunity to visit with him (and his friends) several times throughout the evening – long enough to see the amazement in his eyes as he told me he could not believe he had been specially introduced, or that all these people applauded for him.

As the evening progressed, I learned Mr. Sloan landed on Utah Beach in Normandy in an amphibious vehicle in June 1944.  He turns 100 this June, and the day after his birthday, he intends to go back to Normandy–80 years after he first landed there.

When Memorial Day rolls around this month, I will think of Mr. Sloan and his upcoming trip.  I will think of his fallen comrades.  I will always remember the look on his face and the tears of gratitude in his eyes as he made his way to the front of the theatre and sang along with the rest of the standing crowd to God Bless America and America the Beautiful.  It is on the shoulders of these great men we stand.  Take a moment during this holiday to honor the men and women who have paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we have today.  Be grateful, because as Jimmy said, “In spite of all our problems, this is still the greatest country in the world.”

God bless America.

Until next time,