by Thomas Hyde

Created on: January 28, 2009

"THE BREATH OF LIFE". It was 1942 and we were deep into the Second World War. My brother and I along with ever other child were aware of the fact that we had been attacked and everyone was making sacrifices to win the conflict. Each day we would put on our army helmets, pull out our guns, build our forts and act as soldiers. The acting during the day would turn to reality when we would listen to the radio, have to close the window shades and turn off the lights. The radio announcer would report of the war and we talked about the families and neighbors who had members serving over seas. Suddenly the play turned into reality. As a child it was an awakening which I will never forget.

My mother and dad made sure that we respected the service men and women. At the time my dad was drafted twice however was told to remain at home. My dad was with Eastern Air Lines and had the responsibility of assisting service men home on leave. He would see that they received priority and often as the fog would set in; my dad would see that the service men were provided hotels until the next flight was available.

As a child I have many war memories however two experiences stands out and are forever with me to this day.

It is as vivid today as if was yesterday. A B29 bomber was trying to reach Lockheed, Georgia Air Base when it suddenly ran out of fuel and had to make an emergency landing at the Atlanta Airport. The east west runway was too short to land and the bomber crashed as it over shot the runway. My mother as soon as the bomber crashed grabbed my brother and my hands. We were barefoot at the time however we ran as fast as we could to the disabled B29.

We arrived at the bomber just before the emergency vehicles approached the aircraft.

I distinctly remember a solider that had broken his leg and was crawling in the corn field away from the plane. As he looked up at my mother he said "Lady get out of hear, don't you know that plane has bombs on it?"

The other memory is after the war my dad was responsible in coordinating a model airplane contest at Lawson General Hospital. The solders that were at the hospital were injured and were in the mist of recovering. Each one of the soldiers had made model air plains of all of the aircrafts used in the war. By this time in life I was still a child at 10 years old. What a site as a boy to see all of the perfectly crafted models. Eastern Air lines provided the models and certain service men received a free trip home.

As I looked at the perfectly built models I could not overlook the injured solders.

I remember the impact of seeing so many I could not comprehend what war had done to us. As I stood in awe one of the solders in a wheel chair came along side of me and my dad. He had only one arm and no legs. I still remember his condition but what is vividly placed in my mind is not his inflection but what I saw in his eyes.

When he looked at me he had this smile and his eyes expressed that he fought, suffered and was injured for me.

Today I am at the age of 73 and know that ever day I breathe a breath of life is a gift from this soldier and every service man and women who has fought for this country. To all who have served I am forever grateful.

Thank you.

Learn more about this author, Thomas Hyde.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.