What does the Fourth mean to you and yours this year?  What is on your mind today?

Today I am thinking about my family, my nation and our heritage, as young and frail as it still is.

I wanted to share a story of one hero of mine, a veteran, and a very fine man.  I lost him this week.

Clifton E. "Bud" Reid.  88 years old.  Died after surgery for injuries sustained in a traffic accident when a drunk driver plowed into his vehicle.  He served in the Alaskan islands during WWII as a small boat mechanic for the US Navy.  A barbershopper (bass though he could sing some tenor if required), a lifelong outdoors enthusiast that hiked and ran rivers as long as he could.  Tended to quiet past times like walks with his family, polishing stones he'd find, or tinkering on cars. 

I never saw the man flush with anger, never heard a cross word exit his mouth, never saw him upbraid or castigate a soul.  Never heard him be sarcastic with any other being.  The closest I saw was he'd look down, shake his head, shrug his shoulders, then smile without saying a word.  He was my uncle, easily one of the nicest men I've ever met.  He liked hard cider in moderation and home cooking and could mechanic on anything, rebuilding classics for people after he retired from Consolidated Freightways.

He took me to a barbershoppers sing, he encouraged me no matter how bad I was.  He was a sweetheart, he lived a good life.  He and I, his wife my aunt Fern, my mom and my brother hiked from the North rim of the grand canyon down to  Phantom Ranch, spent the night, and hiked out the other side.  That was his last real hike, he was struggling to get up the far side so I went back to check on him and he said:  "Roarkie, my eyes don't see as quickly as yours so I need to take my time."  And smiled.  Guy was dying with exhaustion.  I had him take a liter of water and pulled his pack and carried it out.  Last thing I ever got to do for him, we hadn't seen each other for too long a time.

No tears for this man, he did it right.

Love ya Uncle Bud.

If we love people, we don't show it after their deaths if their lives did not change us in some way.  I'm working to cut my over reactions and anger down to honor this fine man.  Hell maybe I will grow up one day.

Happy Independence Day, God Bless my nation please, we need your patience and guidance.

Roll Tide as well, heck, they got the red and white at least!

All My love to You and Yours,

Mean Bob Mean