A good name is a theme that has constantly presented itself to me. Reading the 45 Day challenge of The Fivestarman, a book that accompanies Neil Kennedy's Fivestarman book. In the book on Day 4 the text challenges men to read a chapter of Proverbs everyday until the book is complete. Chapter twenty-two begins by stressing the importance of a good name.
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.
On Sunday July 5th, I opening my bible to ecclesiastics 7:1 that again stresses the importance of a good name.
A good name is better than precious perfume, and the day of death better than the day of one’s birth.
Then on today my father sent me an email with two true stories about "Easy Eddie", Al Scarface Capone's attorney and again the theme of the importance of having a good name appeared. Years ago my father told me, "a person has three names: the name they are given, the name you are called, and the name you make for yourself". The name you make for yourself make a good name worthy to be known, passed along to future generations. A name that is respectable, one that unites, inspires, and impacts others calling a person to action, is created through a long intense process that makes the name memorable. Think of your names and the many things that you have done. Does it make you proud? Do you feel esteemed? Are you working toward a goal aspiration or destination? Do you have anything to talk about? Can you share your story in its entirety? Is you name already ruined? Can it be restored? Think of your answers to these questions. Take action to change the answers if any of your questions are "no". If your answers are "yes" continue to build your name and write your name. Also, share your story and what you know; be a true genuine role model; understand that we are all unique and that there are multiple makes and many models. Be true to the role model in which you illustrate because we are all teachers that teach in a variety of modes, mediums and methods.
These are the two stories that I mentioned in the text of this post:
STORY NUMBER One
Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.
Capone had a lawyer nicknamed "Easy Eddie." He was Capone's lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie's skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.
To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big, but Eddie got special dividends, as well. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City blockEddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him.
Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object.
And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was.Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn't give his son; he couldn't pass on a good name or a good example.
One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie wanted to rectify wrongs he had done.
He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al "Scarface" Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. So, he testified.Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street.. But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay. Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a clipping from a magazine. It read:
"The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour. Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time. For the clock may soon be still."
STORY NUMBER TWOWorld War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O'Hare.
He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific.
One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship.
His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet.
As he was returning to the mother ship, he saw something that turned his blood cold; a squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding its way toward the American fleet.
The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet.
Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber's blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent. Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible, rendering them unfit to fly. Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction
Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier
Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft
This took place on February 20, 1942 , and for that action Butch became the Navy's first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Medal of Honor.
A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His home town would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man.
So, the next time you find yourself at O'Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch's memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It's located between Terminals 1 and 2.
SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?Butch O'Hare was "Easy Eddie's" son.
(Pretty cool, huh?)
