A True Hero in our midst...
During our stay at the Embassy Suites we were privileged to meet a true American hero. While enjoying cocktails in the atrium we chanced to meet a lovely older lady named Bea. She and Peter struck up a conversation while she and her party were also enjoying the evening at a table adjacent to ours.
She informed us that she rode in the Rolling Thunder demonstration that day. Not only did she participate, it was her maiden voyage on a motorcycle! We all participated in the conversation as she was such a dynamic lady; a true inspiration.
Bea told us that she mounted her son’s Road King without letting him know that she had never ridden before. True grit. Bea hails from Carson City NV, an English teacher by trade. She shared her very own tattoo with us. Remarkable lady. I knew then that I would remember her always.
The very next morning we again met in the Atrium where she was joined by her son Kirk. I didn’t have the opportunity to personally speak with him, but he seemed genuinely proud of his mother and showed great affection for her. They both joined us for several pictures.
Peter will elaborate on Bea & Kirk as he had the most interaction with them, but what he told me later on gave me chills.
Kirk, a Navy man, with dreams of a pilot’s license (he wore a Cessna shirt) was the Commander of the USS Cole on the day of its attack. He spoke with true humility only of the courage and commitment of the sailors on that dark day and how they alone were responsible for saving the ship.
So of course Scott researched the event and Commander Kirk Lippold and turned up various links to what happened that day as well as what has happened since. Kirk has been denied promotion since 2002 despite JAG reports that he was not at fault. There is a site that explains this situation and what can be done. I for one, will download one of these letters and send to my state representatives. I think it’s worth the price of a few stamps to voice my outrage over this injustice.
http://www.usna.com/classes/1981/Lippold.htm
This link contains sample letters you can choose to fill in the information, print and mail.
I hope all you who made the trip and met this man will do this for him as well as Bea.
posted by Jo at 10:56 PM
