Rich Engelhardt
08-14-2011, 9:27 AM
Back this past May, my son was driving behind a car with a woman and her young child in it.
It was storming. A tree fall in front of and on top of the woman's car and took a power line down with it.
My son stopped and rushed over to the car, pulled the young chid out and carried her to safety, then wnet back and stayed with the driver until the fire department arrived.
Yesterday, we were at the National Guard picnic.
Staff Sgt. Burke Engelhardt was presented with the Ohio Distinguished Service Award for his actions that day.
The whole guard unit stood and came to attention as the award was being presented.
I couldn't help buyt notice one young man standing off to one side of me, laser straight back, head and eyes straight ahead, arms firmly at his side, shoulders back and chest forward - classic picture of full attention.
As my son gave a small acceptace speech, he mentioned that he was positive each and every one of his men would "do the same thing, in the same situation".
When he said that, I saw the young man standing at attention swell by two sizes with respect and admiration.
The medal and my son's actions, while worthy of a brag or two, pale in comparison to the respect and admiration I saw he instilled in one of his men.
I am one proud papa...
It was storming. A tree fall in front of and on top of the woman's car and took a power line down with it.
My son stopped and rushed over to the car, pulled the young chid out and carried her to safety, then wnet back and stayed with the driver until the fire department arrived.
Yesterday, we were at the National Guard picnic.
Staff Sgt. Burke Engelhardt was presented with the Ohio Distinguished Service Award for his actions that day.
The whole guard unit stood and came to attention as the award was being presented.
I couldn't help buyt notice one young man standing off to one side of me, laser straight back, head and eyes straight ahead, arms firmly at his side, shoulders back and chest forward - classic picture of full attention.
As my son gave a small acceptace speech, he mentioned that he was positive each and every one of his men would "do the same thing, in the same situation".
When he said that, I saw the young man standing at attention swell by two sizes with respect and admiration.
The medal and my son's actions, while worthy of a brag or two, pale in comparison to the respect and admiration I saw he instilled in one of his men.
I am one proud papa...