BY BOBBY HALTON
In the 1930s, Al “Scarface” Capone was running virtually everything in Chicago. He was a violent and evil man. However, the police were unable to touch him. Scarface was quoted as saying, “I can get a lot of cooperation with a smile; I get a lot more cooperation with a smile and a gun.” Al was protected legally by a highly efficient lawyer whose nickname was “Easy” Eddie.
Easy Eddie was well compensated for his efforts at keeping Scarface out of jail. Scarface made sure Easy Eddie had everything he wanted: money, property, powereverything. Easy Eddie also had a son, whom he loved more than money or property, more than power. Like all dads, he wanted to give his son everything he needed. Eddie’s son went to the best schools and had every luxury, but the one thing Easy Eddie most wanted to give his son he couldn’t. Eddie wanted to pass on to his son an honorable and respected name, so he turned on Scarface and gave state’s evidence against him.
A few months after he testified, Easy Eddie was gunned down. In his pockets, he had a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a poem that read: “The clock of life is wound once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour. Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time. For the clock may soon be still.” At the funeral, Easy Eddie’s son said he was proud of what his dad had done.
Thirty years ago, a member of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) nicknamed “Lord” Jim was honored in a ceremony for his heroism. Lord Jim was known in FDNY for many things. He was legendary for his commitment to studying and drilling, sometimes for promotional exams but often just to be the very best firefighter he could be. He was recognized that day, one of many, for risking his life to save an elderly woman at a fire in Queens.
The citation, read aloud, said, “Lieutenant James Ellison, acting in the highest traditions of the fire department, willingly placed his own life on the line to save that of another person.” In the crowd that day was Lord Jim’s 11-year-old son. He was proud of his dad and what his dad had done. Lord Jim got his nickname while working in a house with one of his best friends, “Prince” Pete Ganci. Jimmy Ellison is a firefighter’s firefighter, a gentleman, and a true friend.
A few weeks ago, the Ellisons, Lord Jim Ellison and Captain James “Little Boy” Ellison, were again both at FDNY’s medal daythe 11-year-old boy now Captain Ellison of Rescue 3. “Little Boy” got his nickname because he rescued his lieutenant on his very first run with FDNY. At this year’s medal day, Captain James “Little Boy” Ellison was recognized for saving the life of a young man at a fire in the Bronx. The award, read aloud, said, “Captain James Ellison, acting in the highest traditions of the fire department, willingly placed his own life on the line to save that of another person.” His dad, Lord Jim, was very proud of what his son had done. The Ellison name is a proud and honorable one in FDNY.
Some 66 years ago, a Navy lieutenant named “Butch” was flying on a mission with his entire squadron. A short time into the flight, he realized that his fuel had not been topped off. His wing commander ordered him to return to the fleet. As he was returning, he saw a squadron of Japanese aircraft looking for the American fleet. With all the other American fighter planes gone and no way to warn the fleet, he decided to take action by himself.
Alone and dramatically outnumbered, “Butch” attacked the Japanese squadron, relentlessly attacking one plane after another and breaking up their entire formation. After he had spent his last bullet, and with no hope of surviving the encounter, “Butch” continued the assault by flying directly at the enemy aircraft, trying to hit them. The Japanese, frustrated by the suicidal maniac, changed their course and left without discovering the unprotected American fleet.
The gun-mounted cameras caught the entire story: “Butch” had destroyed five enemy fighters and became the Navy’s first ace of World War II and the first naval aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is awarded to a member who distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. The deed performed must have been one of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual from his comrades and must have involved risk of life.
“Butch” O’Hare was killed a year later in combat. His hometown was so proud of him that it named an airport after him. Chicago’s O’Hare Airport will forever represent the courage and honor of the O’Hare family name. I think that if he had been alive at the time, his dad, “Easy” Eddie O’Hare, would have been proud of what “Butch” had done.
The fire service has a good name, an honorable and respected name. It is our duty to protect that name. All of our actions are important. Though not all great deeds of courage like Lord Jim, Butch, Little Boy, or even Easy, they all matter. In the end, it is what we “do” that matters.
Someone is watching you today, someone you love. What are you teaching? Who will they be? We can do a lot of good with words, but we can do a lot more good with words and good deeds.
