is the way I heard it.

According to the President of the United States, America would never see another soldier like

him, and the President was probably right.

Certainly no one soldier had ever seen so much action, two world wars, a stint in Korea,

and more battles than he could recall.

Now, retired at long last, the old soldier is relaxing in the place he calls home, looking

down on the field of green and the wide river that flows below.

It's a good home, as homes go, and a fine place to welcome his family, who come to see him

every day.

In fact, there they are right now, strolling up the driveway to say hello.

The old soldier is always available during visiting hours, always.

A lot of men his age wind up alone and forgotten, especially in a place like this, but not

him.

Family members are always dropping by to spend time and share a story or keep him up to

speed on the latest news from home.

Just last week his daughter Susan had stopped by to tell him his grandson had been accepted

to Harvard.

How about that?

And just yesterday, cousin Billy brought word, the old general store where he had met

his wife, God rest her soul, was now a Starbucks.

Ah well, time marches on.

These visits from loved ones are lifelines, just like the letters he received in France,

...