Memorial Day 2005
Ira Lester Hays. We've come to know Baby Ira for who he is: a fighter, strong-willed, courageous, tolerant, patient, beautiful, sweet. I could go on. What you may not know is that he is a reflection of the men he is named after.
Ira Miles Lambert (he was known as “Top”) was born on March 16, 1914 in Lueders, Texas. He attended Abilene Christian College where he met his future wife, Gay Nell Schultz. They married and stayed in Abilene where Top worked with his father in the construction business. When World War II rolled around the Churches of Christ found themselves debating if it was proper to go to war. The historic stance was one of pacifism. So it wasn’t a surprise when Top was shunned by some friends for enlisting in the war.
Top was old compared to most in the army and was quickly given the name Pappy. Top went overseas in 1943 and was on the 1st wave into Okinawa as captain of an artillery unit. Top was fortunate to come home and eventually retired as a major. Top was my maternal granddad and he spoiled me rotten. When I visited him in Abilene I got whatever I wanted at Athletic Supply and we always stopped by the local toy store. He later fought heart disease bouncing back many times when he wasn’t given much of a chance. Granddad passed away on November 3, 1998.
Lester Phillip Heintz was born on August 16, 1913. He was raised on a farm in St. Louis County. Lester worked on the farm into his twenties. It was during this time that he met Irene Rohmann. He and Irene eventually started a little bakery in St. Louis. Harvey, Lester’s and Irene’s only son, would never really know his father. Lester was drafted into the army and killed in action at Marigny, France on his birthday, August 16, 1944 at the age of 31. Irene said about her husband that he was out-going, friendly, easy going and always looking to strike up a conversation. Lester would agree to go and do almost anything, according to Irene. When I try to get a grasp of what Lester must have been like, I take a look at Harvey. Harvey is a giant of a man who is gentle and loving; whose soft-spoken words are full of wisdom and compassion.
Ira Lambert and Lester Heintz. These two men are not forgotten because there is one who carries their names and is in the process of becoming like them. We couldn’t ask for anything more.
Ira Lester Hays. We've come to know Baby Ira for who he is: a fighter, strong-willed, courageous, tolerant, patient, beautiful, sweet. I could go on. What you may not know is that he is a reflection of the men he is named after.
Ira Miles Lambert (he was known as “Top”) was born on March 16, 1914 in Lueders, Texas. He attended Abilene Christian College where he met his future wife, Gay Nell Schultz. They married and stayed in Abilene where Top worked with his father in the construction business. When World War II rolled around the Churches of Christ found themselves debating if it was proper to go to war. The historic stance was one of pacifism. So it wasn’t a surprise when Top was shunned by some friends for enlisting in the war.
Top was old compared to most in the army and was quickly given the name Pappy. Top went overseas in 1943 and was on the 1st wave into Okinawa as captain of an artillery unit. Top was fortunate to come home and eventually retired as a major. Top was my maternal granddad and he spoiled me rotten. When I visited him in Abilene I got whatever I wanted at Athletic Supply and we always stopped by the local toy store. He later fought heart disease bouncing back many times when he wasn’t given much of a chance. Granddad passed away on November 3, 1998.
Lester Phillip Heintz was born on August 16, 1913. He was raised on a farm in St. Louis County. Lester worked on the farm into his twenties. It was during this time that he met Irene Rohmann. He and Irene eventually started a little bakery in St. Louis. Harvey, Lester’s and Irene’s only son, would never really know his father. Lester was drafted into the army and killed in action at Marigny, France on his birthday, August 16, 1944 at the age of 31. Irene said about her husband that he was out-going, friendly, easy going and always looking to strike up a conversation. Lester would agree to go and do almost anything, according to Irene. When I try to get a grasp of what Lester must have been like, I take a look at Harvey. Harvey is a giant of a man who is gentle and loving; whose soft-spoken words are full of wisdom and compassion.
Ira Lambert and Lester Heintz. These two men are not forgotten because there is one who carries their names and is in the process of becoming like them. We couldn’t ask for anything more.
posted by jch at
4:09 PM
6 Comments:
Joe-
Thanks for the new updates... They always seem to brighten my day. I'm thankful for the fun you and laughter you were able to enjoy with your wife and your church, and I'm thankful for Ira's namesakes and the legacy they carry with them. He is living up to his potential already.
Shakespeare once coined the phrase, "What's in a name?..." Well, Ira Lester Hays certainly has quite a good story packed into his name.
Thanks buddy. I'm still praying for you all to have more and more good days.
Todd S
What a wonderful tribute. Sadly, too many people don't take time to honor the memories of those whom this holiday is in rememberance of. May Ira grow to have his own wonderful legacy!
What a sweet way to honor Ira's predecessors on Memorial Day. I like reading your families' histories. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for that "history"...I have the sense there is more than a bit of his greatgrandfathers in Ira!! :-)
So glad y'all were able to play, laugh and be outside on Sunday...laughter is so healing and rejuvenating...
continuing to pray...
dm
Happy to know of Ira's heritage. He is well named. What a gift! We are praying that he will be home soon. Peace to you.
I know this was posted a long time ago but I think it's interesting that your baby's name is Ira Hayes, named from two people who fought in WWII.
Ira Hayes is also the name of one of the soldiers who was photographed raising the American flag at Iwo Jima. That photograph was also sculpted into the famous Iwo Jima Memorial in Washington D.C.
I bet you already knew this; I just thought it was interesting.
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