A Lightning Struck Walnut and a Chance to Listen

Today I received a call from a gentleman who wanted an estimate to have a tree removed. One of the great things about running a tree service is that you never know who you’re going to meet tomorrow, or the stories and history they’ll take the time to tell you.

When I arrived at Tom’s home in north Springfield, he met me out front with a kind smile and a gracious handshake. We walked into the backyard, and spent several minutes looking over the Black Walnut tree he was wanting to have removed.

We walked around front so I could grab my briefcase and write out his estimate.  As we ducked into the garage to avoid the hot sun, I began writing and the conversation turned to fishing, then hunting as I showed off a picture of my (then) 13 year old son with his very impressive whitetail from last season. I’d noticed the VFW hat he was wearing when I first arrived, so the first chance I got, I asked where he’d served.

Luckily for me, I had time to sit and listen for a bit,  and I truly love the opportunity to hear stories from old vets about their days of service to our country. Tom told me stories of when he enlisted in 1950 and boot camp, getting shipped to Korea, the bitter cold of the Korean winter, and of the action his unit saw there. He told me about getting shot in the hip and stomach, and getting dragged off that bloody hill a couple hours later. Stories of men he served with, and men he saw die serving America.

Watching a war movie, or reading a book, or an article on the net is different from being there and hearing the re-telling first person from the perspective of the man who lived it. Seeing the memories flicker through his eyes as he talked, hearing the waver in his voice as he remembered good friends lost long ago.

So I’d just like to take this opportunity to thank Tom, and every American man and woman who’s served our country. And encourage everyone who reads this to spend the time next time you’re given the opportunity to listen to some of the memories and wisdom that our elder generations are happy to pass along. Without regard for our personal thoughts on war in general, or the decisions our government makes, our vets deserve as many moments of honor and respect as we can offer them. They’ve already offered their lives to protect us, and our way of life.

Thank you, to all who’ve served.

The tree? Tom’s Walnut had been struck by lightning years back, and still bore the large scar on the trunk from the injury. It had survived, and sealed the wound to a small extent, but it has been slated for removal to make way for new landscaping and a fence, and hopefully a couple new trees which will not interfere with the vegetable garden.

With a little luck, the job will be complete and I’ll have time to sit down and listen to a few more of Tom’s stories.