Vets Gazette - August 2013 - STATES

practically impossible. Practically impossible, I say unless ( and this, rarely) you went many miles to the southern tip
of South America. To the north above Canada has always been impossible because it's iced over. In the past couple of
years that crossing has been accomplished due to global warming and the ice melting.
Within a couple of days after the end of World War II, I was in New York City. I decided to attend a famous night club
Leon and Eddie's. I sat at the bar (in uniform). A gentleman came over and introduced himself. He was one of the
club owners. I can't recollect whether it was Leon or Eddie. He offered me a drink and I accepted. We chatted a few
minutes and he left when the show came on.
The particular details of the show evade me, probably because at one point during the performance, it was interrupted
to bring out a soldier who, that day, had arrived from Europe aboard a transport ship. He was the famous comedian
Red Buttons. Although primarily known for his wit, you might remember Buttons as the soldier in the renowned war
movie The Longest Day who, during a parachute drop in Europe, was caught by his chute and dangled from a church
clock.
Red had imbibed a considerable number of alcoholic beverages and wasn't the least bit remiss about telling the club
patrons how little they contributed to the war effort. A seasoned military police officer attempted to pull Red off the
stage. The officer had many years of service and the arm of his uniform was covered with a considerable number of
service stripes. Red's language was really rough, and when the MP touched him, he responded, calling the officer a
zebra (all the stripes). I'll never forget what took place because that was the night I gave up what Navy life had taught
me - drinking too many alcoholic beverages.
Al Benharris
THEY LIKE ME
It's most natural when you are part of a large group, and you need assistance, and that aid is gently and sensitively and
passionately provided, for one to feel that the provider likes you and is treating you special. He or she, you think, is
showing you a particular quality of care attitude. Not so, at least not so, at the Rhode Island Veterans Home.
Special care attitude is the order of the day, everyday. That's one of the reasons 480 Metacom Avenue, the Rhode
Island Veterans Home, is now better known as the Miracle on Metacom.
Those involved in the health care venture throughout our society are most often people of heart, people caring about
people. The Veterans Home is just a touch different. The men and women being treated and cared for are people who
in the past exposed their lives, many severely and frequently, to danger in order to protect the American way of life.
So yes, I correct myself, not because they like you (which they do), but because you are the protector of the United
States, because you are an American veteran and you deserve extra respect and attention and liking!
The American Band
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