Thursday, April 30th, 2015

Franz Stigler/Charlie Brown

Although I've dedicated this month's blog to Franz Stigler & Charlie Brown (see link below) , my real Everyday Heroes for this blog post are the men and women who served during World War II. I highlighted the story about Franz and Charlie because their's is an heroic tale. But, for me, they are just two examples of the men and women who sacrificed a great deal to make the world a better place.

Franz Stigler and Charlie Brown are metaphors for a more gentile time and for heroism and self-sacrifice that were common place during my parents's time.

I have written before about how an Everyday hero makes a difference in another person's life. Franz Stigler, through an act of kindness and chivalry surely did that for Charlie Brown and his B-17 flight crew. And, ultimately, through his search for Franz in order to thank him for sparing his life, Charlie made a difference in Franz's life.

When you read a story like this, you can't help but wonder, What if Franz had given Charlie and his crew no quarter? How many families would have lived with pain for decades to come.

I am certain that there are thousands of such stories that could be told. This is just one that I hope brings you some happiness. 

http://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/german-pilot-in-wwii-spared-an-american-b-17-pilot-over-germany-only-to-reunite-40-years-later-and-become-fishing-buddies.html/2