Letter to the Editor: It’s the best cure

Some people make a great impression on your life. When I was just a kid, I would stop by the John Deere dealership in town on my way home from kindergarten. One of the owners was a dear friend of our parents. He was a very busy man but no matter what he was in the middle of, he would stop and buy me a Mountain Dew and we would visit for a few minutes before I finished my walk home.

Being “raised” in the Newton American Legion, I saw him regularly and our friendship stayed firm and grew even stronger as I got older. His love of tractors (John Deere of course!) is well known and he has friends and contacts nationwide that he has built and restored tractors for. Perfection is the standard, and his work is renowned throughout the national John Deere community. He is a Korean War vet and I have had the privilege to escort him twice to Washington DC on veterans’ trips. Each time created more stories and memories of not only his time in service but those he knew and loved as well.

His dedication to his fellow veterans continues to this day. He still places veterans’ markers and flags on graves on a regular basis. He still stops regularly at the Legion to visit with his fellow vets and supports every endeavor the Legion participates in.

He is soon to be 99 years old. He has faced some health issues lately and his walk is a bit slower than normal but he still holds an upbeat attitude on life. We should all mirror his positive spirit. He stopped by my office today to visit. We discussed life, health, the future, and our mutual belief in the afterlife. I reiterated what a tremendous mentor and friend he had been my entire life and that many others felt the same. In his humble way he chuckled and said, “well, not EVERYONE feels that way!”

We shared a laugh and he then stated that he hopes to be strong enough to drive his tractor one more time with the vets in the upcoming fourth of July parade. I told him I had full faith that he would be there and I look forward to shaking his hand once again as the parade starts and we make our way down First Avenue. I’ve always been a believer that people wait to long to let someone know how they truly feel about them.

As I stated, he has a birthday coming up in August. But, it’s never too early to send a card. If you know this fine gentleman and feel as I do I would ask that you take a minute to jot down your thoughts and send them his way. There is no better cure for what ails us than love. It’s the greatest healer.

Doug Bishop

Baxter