Paul Sartor receives unexpected recognition

If we were still living on the home place in Brazil, I would be knee-deep in garden work.

This growing season has not been a disappointment thus far for the farmers, back yard gardeners and commercial produce handlers that I know. We planted green beans, tomatoes and peppers here. I have a sage plant and depend on the markets for everything else, including fruit.

New to our palates this year is Russian kale and a new (to me) a variety of beets raised by an Amish farmer.

The above ground garden of my grandson Michael’s wife, is picture perfect.

“Mary Mary” quite contrary never had a garden of her own look so good! I applaud the young mother’s effort, her first garden.

God must be smiling. This has been a busy time for the entire family.

Paul is feeling better.

July the fourth we attended a parade here in Brownsburg with our granddaughter, Lindsay Terry, and her family.

The parade was sizable, several units and individuals participated. Our family sun-baked for two hours in wait of the procession, but we had chairs and it was worth the time spent. Close-by us a group of people sold strawberries and ice cream and that was a treat. Paul, a proud U.S. Navy veteran wore his special cap that morning. Several men, women and children stopped by to thank him for his service and shake his hand. That was so nice. A young boy and his father were standing across from us. They waited until the followers of the horses tidied -up the pavement and then came over to where we were sitting. Their words were kind. The boy is an eighth grader. He has an interest in the military as a whole, but his questions were about Paul’s ship and his tours of service. Paul knew he could not fit in all that he carries in his head about the subject there. He then invited the curious young man and his equally interested father to our home. Paul even received the blessing from his mother via Facebook.

The next day our visitors came and spent two hours gaining enough information to fill a book. That scrapped heavy cruiser, USS Des Moine, sprung from the depths of its final resting, to live again.

I could see the gleam in the old salt’s eyes as he talked to Elijah, showed his wall studies, albums, honors and mementoes.

Something else happened that day that warmed Paul’s heart . A lady associated with Indiana Honor Flight program approached him, asking a few questions pertaining to his service. She told him about the above mentioned. He would be delighted if he were chosen to take the trip. If that be the case, our granddaughter’ s husband Matthew has volunteered to be the required guardian. The paperwork has been posted. That would be like a shot in the arm, uplifting and therapeutic for our veteran.

Tootie and I will take charge of the TV control while Mr. Sartor goes to Washington! We may hide it at least until we hear all about his day.

Now it is time to check on the kids.

I can be reached by phone at 317 -286 - 7352 or drop me a line to 649 South Grant Street, Brownsburg , IN., 46112.