Just Like in the Movies

My Uncle Harry (James Harry Smith,) was much like the character, Hub McCann, played by Robert Duvall. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII. He was in the brutal Mariana Islands campaign in the Pacific, where he was wounded in 1944 while taking another wounded soldier to safety during heavy fire, and later he received a Purple Heart.

And, as Hub was only a one-woman kind of man, Uncle Harry also committed his heart to passionately love only one woman during his lifetime...and that woman was his wife, my Aunt Jean.

After the War was over, they travelled to and visited Indiana, the state where her family was from. The couple later resided in his home state of Louisiana. But where this story unfolds is in Shelbyville, Indiana during that visit.

Again, much like old Hub, Uncle Harry tried to get along with most people. But some people, like the young punks in the movie that disrupted Hub's meal and the young punks that Uncle Harry came across that day...well, they have to find out the hard way...those lessons of boundaries and respect. Those punks got to know the Hubs and Uncle Harrys quite well and learned those lessons.

I just remember the gentleness of that giant of a man (I believe he was a few inches over six feet.) And I love the memories I have of how he would throw me up into the air (with zero fear from me) that he would certainly catch me. That is the man I loved and remember. So when I found this newspaper clipping tucked away in the photos, my love and admiration multiplied exponentially for him.

From family accounts, the ruckus began when Aunt Jean was using the phone at the diner and one of those unlucky fifteen decided to pick her as his next victim. Now, please understand that I denounce violence if it can be prevented, but there comes a time to stand up for yourself and protect your loved ones.

I would say the odds of winning a fight when it's fifteen to one really aren't that good. Uncle Harry's adrenaline must have really been pumped up. Sadly, nowadays, most fights are ended with bullets or knives. This one only ended with somebody getting a broken arm, shattered glass, and flying condiments...and maybe about fifteen young punks getting their feelings hurt really bad, too. Any Marine could have killed some of them that day with military trained hands and skill, but this Marine, like Hub in the movie had, showed restraint.

I also have to giggle at my family having a hard-head. It's true. That's a family character trait. It's probably what has kept us going from generation to generation. Uncle Harry was tough even before he enlisted in the Marines (he had been drafted to the Army first, but instead enlisted.) According to his draft card, Uncle Harry had the following: scar from appendectomy, 2 scars on face (one dog bite, one knife?,) scar on chin and scar on nose from a rat bite as child. Okay, he had brothers, too and they were mostly rowdy, if not downright feral. Remember, it was a different time and life itself, was tougher.

So, this story is dedicated to all who have serve/served our country with honor and integrity and also to those who serve and protect our laws and maintain order based on the values in which our country was founded ...to all those hard-headed people like my Uncle Harry who stand up everyday in all facets of life to protect the people and country they love. Thank you!