Military Appreciation

October 7, 2013September 24, 2014 by Water

Indiana

Indiana: an ordinary name, an ordinary state–right? Let’s put it under the scope for a wee bit.

When I was in military service from 1941-1945, I was in a tropical climate the entire four-and-a-half years. I grew so sick and tired of the heat, perspiration, mosquitoes, and snakes that I said, “If I ever get back to Indiana, I will never complain about the weather again.” But I forget–and complain.

Obviously, I was missing the distinct four season changes of my native state, Hoosierland.

Wintertime. Snow, kids and sleds, a lifetime of fun memories, basketball, big schools and little schools, Christmas and dreaming of snow (regardless of how much), a New Year and a new start (a better year, even if the past year was a good one), a greater appreciation of the warmth of the past summer, and anticipation of the coming summer.

Springtime. Warm, bright, sun-shining days, and a promise of even better ones in the future; the awakening of trees, grass, and flowers; magical things in nature happening; the aspiration of a vegetable garden; time to prep the fishing equipment; and, above all, magical, strong, and automatic inspiration from the new world created by God!

Summertime. Swimming, cookouts, picnics, comfortable summer clothing, and vacation. A chance to enjoy some of God’s awe-inspiring creation (it’s very plentiful).

Autumn. Beautiful, comfortable days; cooking; fall leaf coloring; an awesome colorful time for many tree species; and the reward of a bountiful harvest, an item that Indiana is very rich in: corn, soybeans, oats, hay, nuts, fruit, and much more!

All of the above solidly reminds us of the aged and well-known poem “Ain’t God Good to Indiana?”

The happy tune when I returned home in 1945 was “Back Home Again In Indiana.”

At the beginning of this article, we put the beloved state of Indiana under the microscope. It’s time now to look at the results. Our fair state passed the test easily; not perfectly, but with a grade of excellent!

Each of our beloved 50 states has its fair share of beauty! Our blessed Hoosierland scores very well!

Praise God!

About the Author

Harry Dishon is a retired veteran living in Howard County. He and his wife Joan recently recorded some of Harry’s recollections as a child and as a soldier, and we are honored to be able to share these memories with you. Periodically, we will post selections from Harry’s writings on our Military Appreciation page, so please come back and share some of Harry’s insights and memories.

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May 1, 2013September 24, 2014 by Water

The Miracle Sparrow

Matthew 10:29-31 reads as follows: “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

That little bird that is so abundant throughout the world is considered to be a nuisance by my people: builds nests where he isn’t wanted, makes a mess on a shiny new car or expensive farm implement, and is considered worthless by the general public.

In the year 1969, my wife, Cathy had been to the Logansport hospital for surgery, and had just been to Fort Wayne for special chemotherapy treatments. The report was heartbreaking: she was pronounced terminally ill with colon cancer. The one source of happiness for our 12-year daughter Donna Kay as well as Cathy and I was that she could return home.

One evening, we had chosen for devotions the scriptures listed above. We marveled that our very busy God would know when a lowly, insignificant sparrow would fall to the ground. Yet that is what the Scripture said, and it was to be interpreted as such. It was a true test of faith. We felt very humble, but we were greatly inspired by the thirty-first verse that said, “Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Cathy and I both were lifted up by those words.

I was working at Grissom Air Force Base at that time. The very next day, at work, I was rolling a 55-gallon drum across a 300-foot long concrete apron. The drum was full and heavy, and after rolling it approximately 50 feet, I had stopped to catch my breath. At that instant, a pretty sparrow landed on the barrel. He tilted his head upward and looked straight up at me. From surprise, even amazement, I reached down and grasped him in one hand. I said, “Hey, little fellow, what are you doing down here? You better get going.” In one easy motion, I tossed him into the air. He took flight from a height of about 15 feet and flew to the grassy area, about 25 feet away. There he landed, sat for approximately one minute, and fell over dead.

It was not until that instant that I remembered the scripture of the previous evening: “One of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.” I was overwhelmed with emotion to realize that God had actually carried out for us what we had marveled at on the previous evening! He had assured us that He was with us!

Naturally, I related the incident to Cathy that evening. She didn’t say a word, but just smiled and squeezed my hand! She knew and was ready, if it was God’s will, to take the step of her journey. This was true despite her wanting to raise Donna Kay, and despite the fact that she was happy at home.

Approximately three weeks later, she was awarded her Heavenly reward.

About the Author

Harry Dishon is a retired veteran living in Howard County. He and his wife Joan recently recorded some of Harry’s recollections as a child and as a soldier, and we are honored to be able to share these memories with you. Periodically, we will post selections from Harry’s writings on our Military Appreciation page, so please come back and share some of Harry’s insights and memories.

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April 1, 2013September 24, 2014 by Water

Love vs. Hate

If ever a human opened up a keg of worms as a subject, love versus hate is it! Everyone in life experiences one or the other or both of them. They are basic and inescapable.

For the sake of brevity and simplicity, let’s call the combination “complexity.” Due to “complexity,” movies have been made, books have been written, rivers of tears have been shed, murders have been committed, and many suicides have happened.

What is the birthplace of love and of hate? The answer to that question is rather obvious to many, many people. The birthplace of love is with God; that of hatred is with Satan.

In general, if the bulk of population in the world had their wish, hatred would be eliminated. There are exceptions to that statement, of course; some of them being heads of state; therein the plot thickens.

Satan also works overtime in the lives of nearly all mankind. Many times Satan sneaks in–he is there before individuals are aware of his presence.

Vast multitudes of people appear to have little understanding that complexity is most effectively defeated by the great, deep, blessed, sacred and most beautiful love of God!

Certainly an attitude of “love thy neighbor” and fervent prayer would help greatly!

About the Author

Harry Dishon is a retired veteran living in Howard County. He and his wife Joan recently recorded some of Harry’s recollections as a child and as a soldier, and we are honored to be able to share these memories with you. Periodically, we will post selections from Harry’s writings on our Military Appreciation page, so please come back and share some of Harry’s insights and memories.

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March 1, 2013September 24, 2014 by Water

Exquisite Beauty

“A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” (Matthew 5:14)

This is one of those beloved Bible verses so full of love and beauty that it is special to read. It needs no realistic view in life to burn it indelibly into a lifetime beautiful memory, yet God gave me that beautiful sight.

World War II had raised its evil head on December 7, 1941. I and a shipload of other U.S. soldiers who had been previously trained went aboard ship in February 1942 and sailed from San Francisco toward an unknown destination. After traveling unescorted for nearly two weeks, it was evident that we were about to enter a harbor.

Naturally, all troops were topside to see where we were. What we saw opening before our very eyes was an unbelievably beautiful sight–yet, it was real! Our ship was steaming at half speed into the gorgeous blue water of a horseshoe-shaped harbor. Beautiful white houses lined the shoreline, terraced on hill after terraced hill. The houses were roofed with red tile roofs, which contrasted perfectly with the eye-popping scenery. It seemed that every house had planted a flower garden; colorful flowers were everywhere! Contrasting green trees were all around. Everything added to a glorious picture! My thoughts turned to the Bible verse: “A city set on a hill cannot be hid.” So unbelievably real! So unbelievably God!

We were unprepared for such a dazzling sight and the information came down quickly that the gorgeous location was Wellington, New Zealand. We were informed that our ship would resupply and sail on. We troops were allowed to disembark and walk (welcome exercise) for an hour or so. No cameras were allowed, but exploring the area on foot gave us a better picture of the once-in-a-lifetime sight!

My calculation shows that it has been sixty-seven years since that everlasting, God-painted sight, yet I can even yet see in my mind the indescribably beautiful picture!

Through the years I have learned that what God’s doing is so perfectly done that it is to be revered with great joy and no reservations!

About the Author

Harry Dishon is a retired veteran living in Howard County. He and his wife Joan recently recorded some of Harry’s recollections as a child and as a soldier, and we are honored to be able to share these memories with you. Periodically, we will post selections from Harry’s writings on our Military Appreciation page, so please come back and share some of Harry’s insights and memories.

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February 5, 2013September 24, 2014 by Water

Answered Prayer

Mankind sometimes questions God’s very existence. That fact is understandable because God works in such supernatural ways compared to the ways of mankind. Humanity must have a very deep faith to believe fully in the miracles of God.

Let’s examine a true and beautiful event that God caused to happen in my mother’s life.

After my basic training, I attended special training school as a surgical technician. Graduation from that made me eligible for duty overseas. A large cadre of us troops varying in vocations was transferred to Los Angeles to prepare for deployment oversees. A huge ocean liner loaded with troops sailed westward toward a destination we knew not where. We sailed and we sailed for nearly thirty days.

In the meantime, back at home, mothers will be loving mothers. They worried about the safety of their beloved sons.

My mother was one of many who were concerned. This was easily understandable after nearly thirty trips to the mailbox hoping for a letter and finding—nothing!

One morning at the breakfast table, Mom said to Dad, “I know where Harry is!”

Dad didn’t take her very seriously and said laughingly, “How could you know that? We haven’t heard from him.”

Mom continued, “I had a dream last night and three times I heard the words, ‘INDIA, INDIA, INDIA.’ That is where he is.”

Dad still had little belief in what he had heard and said, “India isn’t even a battlefront.” But he said no more, because he was a man of Godly faith.

Meanwhile we on the large ship sailed on and on, past stops at Wellington, New Zealand, and Perth, Australia—forty-three days total.

Back at home, a couple of weeks after Mom had the dream, they received a letter from me postmarked Apo, Bombay, India.

God truly is awesome.

About the Author

Harry Dishon is a retired veteran living in Howard County. He and his wife Joan recently recorded some of Harry’s recollections as a child and as a soldier, and we are honored to be able to share these memories with you. Periodically, we will post selections from Harry’s writings on our Military Appreciation page, so please come back and share some of Harry’s insights and memories.

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December 31, 2012September 24, 2014 by Water

Preface and Lifetime Philosophy

Preface

This writing of mixed subjects and mixed temperament has a number of worthy purposes. It is spawned partly by the normal zest for life which includes humor. Humor, experts say, provides great physical healing and therapy. It is enjoyed by nearly 100% of mankind. It is something that is not learned in school or college. It is a gift taken for granted from our great master of creation, our loving God of the universe! Therein expresses one of the major purposes of the enclosed pages: hopefully to inspire, encourage, teach, and illustrate worthwhile and Godly principles.

The book is the inspired work of Harry W. Dishon and the great typing job by my wife, Joan.

Many of the stories are life experiences of the writer; some of them are punctuated and capitalized by the hand of God. Therein is the supreme purpose of these words: to teach and inspire by example with deep humbleness, we thank God for many years of pleasant living.

Lifetime Philosophy

There are many things that influence and affect the attitude that an individual has about life. Some of those influences may be environment, culture, family size, education, talent, and gender. Please come with me as we examine the lifetime effects of a community environment upon one young man.

The young man is Harry W. Dishon, and I was a junior in high school and a member of the basketball team at a very small school. Our team was scheduled to play the team of another community that was larger than our school.

Burlington, the school we were playing, had a larger gymnasium than we had at our little Carrolton school, and the gym had built-in bleachers for spectators; on the opposite side was a large blank wall. (At that time there was no need for a huge spectator area.)

We were “warming up” before the game. I had on my basketball suit of the era, which was much skimpier than those of today.

After my turn with the basketball, I looked up at the blank wall and saw some writing. It attracted my attention because of the depth of its meaning:

The saying was,

“When that great writer comes to write upon our name, He writes not if we won or lost–but how we played the game.”

The saying inspired and intrigued me because of its great and deep meaning, and the saying applied to the “game” of life as well as to the game of basketball. I stood there in the middle of the floor like a nincompoop until I had memorized one of the most important philosophies of life. Little did I realize that it would become my philosophy for the daily walk of life for the next 70 years and would be with me still today! The honesty and integrity that is suggested therein is embedded in God’s divinity.

The force of meaning that it carries has guided me through some greatly troublesome times such as 4 ½ years of hell in WWII and the death of a beautiful and very loving wife when we had a 12-year-old daughter. The Godly philosophy also carried me through six weeks of pain and agony during an arm and hand injury. It is more meaningful today because, in my advanced senior years, God is ever present, ever real. The divinity that it carries becomes more realistic each passing week.

A true story.

About the Author

Harry Dishon is a retired veteran living in Howard County. He and his wife Joan recently recorded some of Harry’s recollections as a child and as a soldier, and we are honored to be able to share these memories with you. Periodically, we will post selections from Harry’s writings on our Military Appreciation page, so please come back and share some of Harry’s insights and memories.

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December 1, 2012September 24, 2014 by Water

Champions

This is a short story about a young man and two horses, illustrating, among other things, the modesty of a 17-year-old.

The name of the youth was Walter S. Dishon, who lived on a small farm in Carroll County, Indiana. The two horses were both named Fred and were considered a handsome team, as horses go. Their coloration was nearly alike: reddish brown (“bay” in horse language). Each weighed approximately 1,800 pounds, which put them in the heavyweight class. Each was nearly 10 years old—when horses are in their prime of life. The two of them were settled and disciplined in their role as faithful draft horses on the farm.

The season was summertime: long days of warm sunshine and an ideal time for county fairs. So it was in Carroll County, and Walter (well known as “Walt) was aware that at the county fair in Flora a horse-pulling contest was planned. Walt had confidence in his two Freds to compete in such an event. He therefore asked permission from our dad to enter, and received an affirmative answer, despite some negative elements. Flora, for instance, was 8 miles away from where we lived and that constituted a 2-hour constant trot to get there. Also on the 8-miles, roundtrip, there was danger of one horse becoming lame or being hit by an auto. Despite the negatives, Dad and Walt both felt optimistic and so the word was “good luck!”

On the morning of the big event, Walt was up and going early. As he placed the harness on each horse, he made sure that each and every leather strap was strong. Having hitched his beloved team to the rubber-tired wagon, he was ready to roll! He stopped by the house to say goodbye to Mom. She handed him a brown paper bag and said, “Here are a couple sandwiches for you to munch on as you travel. Good luck!” With that, he was off!

The two Freds seemed to anticipate something as they trotted along. The sunshine was bright and warm, obviously enjoyable to Walt. Soon, the outskirts of Flora hove into sight and Walt was glad that the park was on his side of town. As he entered the park, he could see two other teams already there. The officials indicated that the three teams were all that had entered, and one official said, “Let’s get started.”

They drew starting order papers—1-2-3. Walt drew #3. On the first go around, the sled was loaded fairly lightly with concrete blocks and all three teams successfully pulled it the required 30 feet. On the second effort, the sled was loaded with 5,000 lbs. more in blocks. Two teams were successful, and one was not. On the third pull, the sled was loaded with 5,000 lbs. more weight. The remaining team (besides Walt) gave it a try, but because they were not pulling together, they flunked out. That meant that if the two Freds could pull it the distance, they would be the winners.

The two horses showed some nervousness as Walt hitched them to the sled. They could anticipate a very hard pull coming up. Walt walked around to their heads and very gently talked to them and rubbed their foreheads. That seemed to quiet them down. Walt once again walked to the back, picked up the driving lines and said, “Easy, boys.” At that statement the team inched forward, thus evening and tightening the double trees—ready to go. Walt then slapped the lines on their rumps and yelped in a loud voice, “Gidd-up boys.” At that instant, both horses flexed all four leg muscles, leaning forward to one-half their normal height. It was a pretty sight to see such enormous power in such perfect coordination! The sled started to move: 3 ft., 5 ft., 10 ft. Walt slapped the lines on their rumps again. They continued onward 15 ft., 20 ft., 25 ft., 30 ft.—the required distance!

The crowd that had gathered to watch the spectacle suddenly cheered and clapped! The governing official announced, “The champions are the bay team driven by Walter Dishon” and the crowd erupted in loud applause.

On the way home, Walt didn’t have to drive the team; they knew they were homeward bound. The team knew the way and it could only be described as an enthusiastic pace. When they entered the driveway at home, they trotted past the house to the barn. There, Walt was unhitching the faithful pair when Mom appeared and asked, “How did you do?” Walt looked up, smiled, and uttered two words while he continued his work: “I won.” Those two words were enough to send Mom scrambling back to the house to prepare supper.

The two faithful steeds were led to the watering tank for a cool, refreshing drink, and then into their stables where Dad had filled their manger with a good dinner of oats and freshly made tender and delectable alfalfa hay.

By that time, Mom was calling, “Supper is ready!” Walt washed the dust off before sitting down, despite the fact that a very delicious aroma of supper was calling otherwise and the air was heavily electrified. The countenance of Mom and Dad was heavy with pride and joy. It was a day of days. Their son had just won the draft horse championship for the entire county of Carroll!

Walt discovered what smelled so delicious. Mom had baked his all-time favorite dessert: black raspberry cobbler with homemade cream for topping! It was a day to be thankful for everything, to appreciate life and especially appreciate the blessing from God!

‘Nuff said!

Remembered by Harry Dishon, brother of Walt.

About the Author

Harry Dishon is a retired veteran living in Howard County. He and his wife Joan recently recorded some of Harry’s recollections as a child and as a soldier, and we are honored to be able to share these memories with you. Periodically, we will post selections from Harry’s writings on our Military Appreciation page, so please come back and share some of Harry’s insights and memories.

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November 5, 2012September 24, 2014 by Water

The Fifty-Cent Coin

What would be, could be, should be the primary observations of an advanced senior “kid”? Life is a smorgasbord of gladness, sadness, and everywhere in between. Not one person knows when they are youngsters what their fate shall be. Let us go traveling with one such character and find out the results.

The 10-year-old lad was normal in every way: energetic, inquisitive, full of imagination. He also had some mischief not too well hidden in his character.

His parents lived in rural Indiana where, in the summer time, the grass grows rapidly. When the neighbor lady asked if he would be interested in mowing her lawn with a reward of 50 cents, he (his name was Harry) was in “Seventh Heaven.”

At that time, the lawn mowers were reel type and had to be pushed by hand to operate, but that was “AOK.” Harry had energy to spare. The first mowing complete, he was paid a big, shiny, new 50-cent coin. He was as proud of it as he would be of a thousand-dollar bill!

What to do with it? He trusted it to his pocket until he got home and very proudly showed it to his mom and dad.

After that came playtime outside, and he still had his new 50-cent coin that was not in safekeeping. Harry thought, “If I put it in my mouth, I won’t lose it.” (Dumb as he was, he put it in his mouth!)

He went on playing for a while–until he needed to swallow. Yep, you guessed it: the big coin squeezed down his throat and lodged. It would not come up, nor was there room for it to go on down. Harry was badly scared! He went running into the house to Mom. Mom looked in his mouth and could see nothing. Then she became scared that the coin would turn sideways and choke him to death. Mom found Dad immediately and they quickly concluded that the closest doctor was at Young America, three-and-a-half miles away. Dad ignored the speed limit getting there!

Dr. Lybrook was immediately in great sympathy with the parents. He said, “The coin is lodged in his throat edgewise. He can breathe all right now. If I go to messing with it without a good instrument to get it out, it might turn flat wise and choke him to death. We better go to the Kokomo Clinic that can handle a situation like that. You, Bill, follow me. We will go over to Road 22 and go in on that.”

With that, they were off, dust flying so thick that Dad could scarcely see. They felt safe, though, because Dad was an excellent driver: he drove buses for an automobile dealer.

They had progressed a ways on dusty S. R. 22 (22 had not yet been paved) when Harry suddenly yelled, “Mom, roll the window down; I’m sick!” She did, and none too soon. Harry’s head popped out the window and he barfed violently. He knew the guilty coin came with everything else. He yelped to Mom and Dad, “The 50-cent coin came up and out the window!”

Dad quickly analyzed the situation and said, “We’ve got to go catch and stop the Doc, and then look for the coin.” With that, the accelerator was hard against the floor and we were moving on. After a mile or so, we caught up with Doc and stopped him. He grinned and quickly replied, “Thank God! We have to find that coin. Bill, take us back where you think the coin is.”

Dad and Mom both knew approximately where to stop, and the hunt was on. All of us looked on the roadside and in the grass. Suddenly Harry yelped, “Here it is, here it is!” Sure enough, there it was! Proof that it actually was out!

Two cars of extremely thankful people went home happy, a divine answer to a loving mother’s prayer!

About the Author

Harry Dishon is a retired veteran living in Howard County. He and his wife Joan recently recorded some of Harry’s recollections as a child and as a soldier, and we are honored to be able to share these memories with you. Periodically, we will post selections from Harry’s writings on our Military Appreciation page, so please come back and share some of Harry’s insights and memories.

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