Good News Americans #13
As America’s World War II veterans continue to slip from our midst, among the proud remaining is retired Tuskegee Airman fighter pilot, Air Force LTC Harry T. Stewart Jr., who celebrated his 100th birthday on July 4th, a date of lasting significance to all Americans. Or certainly should be!
Friends and family gathered at the Tuskegee National Historical Museum in Detroit to honor LTC Stewart. Regarding his centennial birthday, he referred to inevitably getting older, when he told those gathered: “I wanted it to happen very fast when I was a teenager. But now, I want it to slow down a bit!” When asked by reporters about his feelings for the United States of America, Colonel Stewart responded: “I think I love it just as much. I loved it then. And I love it now. But I think we’ve got to remain vigilant, just as we were in the past.” Our congratulations to LTC Harry T. Stewart, Jr. for reaching the exalted age that many of us certainly think about and respect. And for his dedicated, heroic service to our nation protecting America’s bombers thru the war-torn skies of WW II Europe. A truly great American patriot!
One July morning in Everett, Massachusetts, two city public works employees noticed smoke coming out of a three-story apartment building. They called-in the fire, parked their vehicle, and ran inside to warn any residents. Soon thereafter, they were forced to leave the building due to the thickening smoke and increasing flames. They told a responding firefighter that they hadn’t been able to reach that third-story apartment. The brave firefighter entered the building determined to reach that apartment. He emerged soon after carrying a three-year-old girl who was described as being “lifeless.” Thankfully, the rescue had been just in time. Both the firefighter and the little girl were treated at the hospital with “non-life-threatening injuries.” It was believed that the fire started on the third floor. No reason reported as to why that very young girl was alone in that upper story apartment. Importantly, however, her life was spared by that courageous fireman. Said an observer: “He went up there and saved her. Thank God for that firefighter. She’s alive because of him.” Thank God for that firefighter, indeed!
Down in Englewood, Florida, while out on patrol, Sheriff’s Deputy Sergeant Dave Musgrove observed a major vehicle crash early one evening. The collision involved a vehicle and a motorcyclist, said to have been speeding at over 100-miles-per-hour, who was killed. Sergeant Musgrove quickly pulled one uninjured child from the “mangled” car. Then he went back for the second child. The Deputy got that second female infant, while still in her car seat, out of the crashed vehicle and away from the scene. This child was found to be unresponsive. While administering chest compressions to that second little girl, thankfully she came around, inhaled, and a pulse was detected. EMS arrived and took the two young girls and their mother (the vehicle’s driver) for treatment. All were expected to recover, although the initially unresponsive one is reportedly still dealing with lingering ailments. The Deputy Sergeant has reunited with the family and was subsequently asked to serve as the young girl’s “honorary uncle.” Said the child’s grandmother: “It was a miracle that the officer was right there, witnessed the accident, and got to her right away.” Yet another instance of a law enforcement or firefighter first-responder saving the life of another. Society’s heroes, one and all.
Now, talk about a significant and emotional reunion! When retired South Bend (Indiana) Police Department lieutenant, Gene Eyster, heard the name of one of the department’s new rookie officers, he couldn’t believe it, after all those years. You see, many years before, Officer Eyster had rescued and saved the life of Mathew Hegedus-Stewart, responding after three students reportedly found then-Baby Matthew in a box just a few days before Christmas”! Said Hegedus-Stewart: “It was a blessing (i.e., finally meeting Gene Eyster). I mean, I wondered my whole life who found me? What happened? And more or less, it’s (also) a kind of closure for Gene (Eyster).” Not only the amazing chance that both would ever meet, but also that the all-grown-up police rookie would now be serving in the same career, in the same department, and meeting his rescuer unexpectantly at a department ceremony! Just an amazing, heartwarming story that brought joy and closure to two fine police officers, one just beginning his career and one long retired from it. The rarest of chances!
Finally for this Good News Americans posting, the story of loss, remembrance, and community outpouring. In Scottsboro, Alabama, seven-year-old Emouree Johnson’s mother had died suddenly and unexpectedly in March at the age of 29 (no cause reported), leaving her then to live with her grandmother. With insufficient funds, the family was able to provide a cemetery burial plot for Emouree’s mom, but they couldn’t afford to purchase a headstone for her grave. Before long, this little girl came up with an idea that she hoped might provide some money toward a headstone for her mother whom she missed dearly.
Emouree set up a lemonade stand in front of her grandmother’s house and, by herself, began selling lemonade each day after school for just $1.00 a cup. Thanks to family friends, who adored this industrious young girl, the address and the goal were publicized throughout the city, and in short order, Emouree’s stand had raised several thousand dollars. And that was the result of several hundred folks stopping by to purchase a cup of lemonade for the cause, and to support this caring, personable seven-year-old. Area police and fire department personnel, local judges, local businesses and others from throughout the area all responded. A family friend remembered that: “Some brought more lemonade, sugar, lemons and cups in case Emouree ran out. In fact, the local Piggly Wiggly ran out of lemons Thursday.” And along with financial donations, some folks even brought clothing items for young Enmouree! Reportedly, “several monument companies” even contacted the family to discuss possibly donating a headstone, which, if done, might mean that all or part of the monies raised could go to Emouree’s own family in need. Said her grandmother about Emouree’s exceptional effort: “Just simple words have helped her so much. I’ve never seen or experienced anything like this. Just the love that Emouree has felt from this…she keeps saying: ‘everyone loved my mommy.’ The community is helping us heal.” A wonderful story about the love and support from that community to help a special family recover from a tragic, deeply personal, and heartfelt loss.
(Fact Sources: Tuskegee Airman celebrates his 100th birthday via breitbart.com, Olivia Rondeau, 7-5-24; Young child saved form a burning apartment building via breitbart.com, Olivia Rondeau, 7-7-24; Infant’s live saved by a Florida sheriff’s deputy via dailymail.com, Alice Wright, 3-5-24; Rookie police officer meets that officer who saved his life as a baby via foxnews.com, Taylor Penley, 4-28-24; Young girl raises money to purchase a headstone for her mother’s grave via breitbart.com, Olivia Rondeau, 4-7-24).