NOTE FROM BOSNIA SHOWS STUDENT TOOK LEGIONNAIRE'S ADVICE TO HEART.Byline: DENNIS McCARTHY Dennis McCarthy may refer to:
Bob Russell turned the postcard over in his hand, his eyes traveling to the right hand corner marked ``free mail - military postal service The command, organization, personnel, and facilities established to provide, through military post offices, a means for the transmission of mail to and from the Department of Defense, members of the US Armed Forces, and other authorized agencies and individuals. Also called MPS. .'' The retired machinist turned volunteer gateman Gate´man n. 1. A gate keeper; a gate tender. at Pinecrest School in Northridge smiled, settling into his easy chair at home to take his time and savor the words from Gilbert over in Bosnia. ``Dear Mr. Russell, ``Thank you very much for the book. It really made my day receiving something in the mail. Maybe someday when I work hard, I'll be able to be famous as Gen. Powell. ``I was wondering if you could give me some information on how to join the American Legion American Legion, national association of male and female war veterans, founded (1919) in Paris. Membership is open to veterans of World Wars I and II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. . I want to be a member and was wondering if Bosnia would count as my combat tour. ``Things out here are still pretty peaceful. When I come home by December, I want to invite you and your wife to dinner to thank you for your support on the home front. Take care and best of luck. ``Sincerely, Spc. Gilbert Hueyopa'' Russell turned the card over to the front, trying to pronounce the names pinpointed on the map titled Operation Joint Endeavor Operation Joint Endeavour was the deployment U.S. and other nations forces of IFOR in Bosnia beginning in December 1995. The operation was the biggest military mission in the history of NATO. . Places like Bihac, Banja Luka Banja Luka (bän`yä l  `kä), city (1991 pop. 142,644), in NE Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the Vrbas River. , Gornji Vakuf Gornji Vakuf/Uskoplje is a town and municipality in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, located between Bugojno, Prozor, Kupres, Novi Travnik and Konjic. It is under the administration of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. , Tuzla, Gorazde and Sarajevo. A long way from Granada Hills. A long way from a rundown, three-story tenement A comprehensive legal term for any type of property of a permanent nature—including land, houses, and other buildings as well as rights attaching thereto, such as the right to collect rent. off Main Street in downtown L.A. that Gilbert called home before joining the service. What's it been, Bob thought - three, maybe four years since they first met over at Kennedy High School in Granada Hills? Him an old American Legion veteran looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. a smart, personable PERSONABLE. Having the capacities of a person; for example, the defendant was judged personable to maintain this action. Old Nat. Brev. 142. This word is obsolete. high school kid to be Valley Post 582's delegate to Boys State. Gilbert, an 11th-grader, fitting the bill to a T - a 3.8 grade point average and a smile that made you take an instant liking to him. Bob thought he knew Gilbert back then, but he didn't - not really. He only knew one side of the kid - the Granada Hills, Kennedy High side. It would take a year for him to see the other side. It was a cold, rainy January day, and Bob stood outside the Woodland Hills auditorium nervously pacing back and forth, waiting for Gilbert to arrive. The kid was scheduled to be the third speaker on the agenda in the American Legion speakoff on the U.S. Constitution, and No. 2 had already started. ``I'm sorry for being late, Mr. Russell,'' Gilbert had said, running from a friend's car. ``I missed the bus, and couldn't get anyone to give me a ride into the Valley.'' ``You don't live here?'' Bob asked. ``No, I'm a bused-in student,'' Gil said. ``Oh,'' Bob said, watching Gilbert walk away to take his place on stage. It was dark by the time the speakoff ended. ``How are you going to get home?'' Bob asked. ``Hitchhike hitch·hike v. hitch·hiked, hitch·hik·ing, hitch·hikes v.intr. To travel by soliciting free rides along a road. v.tr. To solicit or get (a free ride) along a road. ,'' Gilbert said. ``No, you're not,'' Bob said, opening the door of his car so Gilbert could slide in. They talked as they drove - talked about what the kid wanted out of life - how he'd like to do something to help ``his people'' - the Latino people. ``Then you want to go to college, law school, and become a politician,'' Bob said. ``Then you can do whatever you want.'' They laughed at that, but they both knew the truth. Gilbert finally said it. ``I'm poor, Mr. Russell,'' he said. ``I'll never be able to afford that.'' ``Then join the Army, and begin your education there,'' Bob said, as Gilbert motioned for him to pull over in front of his rundown apartment downtown. ``Thanks for the advice, Mr. Russell,'' Gilbert said. ``Good luck,'' Bob Russell replied, pulling away from the curb and shaking his head as he watched Gilbert climb the steps into the building. ``I sure wouldn't want to live down here,'' Bob thought, driving home to Granada Hills with Gilbert Hueyopa on his mind. It would be a year before their paths crossed again, this time by mail. A souvenir copy of the Stars and Stripes Stars and Stripes nickname for the U.S. flag. [Am. Hist.: Brewer Dictionary, 8567] See : America 50th D-Day anniversary issue arrived at Bob's home. It was sent by Gilbert from Germany. He was in the Army, he told Bob, getting started on that education to do something for his people. They've corresponded a number of times since then - Bob sending Gil news from home, and Colin Powell's book - Gil filling Bob in on life in Bosnia. ``Most of the people are happy when they see us drive by the towns,'' Gil said in a recent letter. ``People's faces light up with smiles as though we've saved them from danger. ``When we stopped once, I started to play baseball with the kids, using a stick and a ball made from rags. When it started to get dark, I let them see through my night vision goggles goggles, n the protective eyewear worn by dental personnel and patients during dental procedures. goggles see periocular leukotrichia. , and gave them all candy. ``These kids were so happy. When we were leaving, the kids started to kiss our hands and said thanks. That made me proud to be a member of the U.S. service.'' Last week, Bob Russell walked into the monthly meeting of his Legion post, and read Spc. Gilbert Hueyopa's latest postcard from Bosnia to all the guys. Let it be recorded that the vote was unanimous, and that the $16 annual dues were paid by Bob Russell. The kid's now a member in good standing of American Legion Post 582. MEMO: Dennis McCarthy's column appears Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. |
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