While in the Houston Heights over Veterans Day weekend, I took my daily walk through the Heights. As I turned to go down Courtlandt Street, I noticed a “garage sale” ahead with a small crowd around a table. As I got closer, I saw this was something extraordinary. It was not a garage sale, but something very different. And, it turned out, something very special.
Curious, I joined the small crowd of on-lookers as a young man explained the history of various WWII artifacts on display. “This is A WWI helmet, still has the insides all intact, worn by British soldiers in the trenches of France. This is a WWII helmet, used by Americans although this on has a German flag symbol on the side of it. ….”
Standing next to me was a 94 year old veteran and his daughter. He was clutching a photograph. I asked him if he was a veteran. “Indeed, here is a picture of me with my crew. I was the pilot, the one standing on the far left here.” How old were you back then I asked. “I was 21.”
I could tell this was a special gathering of spectators. The atmosphere was thick as the young man gave his most interesting “tour” of his mini-museum. He overheard my conversation with the old man, and asked if he could see the picture too. After a brief discussion, he asked “Sir, my I have your signature please. “Yes” he chuckled, “As long as it’s not on a check!”
The old man continued, “I have quite a few things I have kept since the war that I want you to have. I think this will be a good home for them…………………….
