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https://braveknightwriters.com/blog/50-The-Courage-of-Children?sel=1-0
Riding rails-to-trails is more than bicycling, it’s time travel. A recent ride on the D&H trail in Susquehanna County in north-eastern Pennsylvania took us through coal country. The trail passes through coal towns once owned by coal companies—a type of town I am very familiar with, since I grew up in one, Sandy Creek. My first house was purchased in another, Harwick, and I was blessed to know and listen to the stories of an old miner nearing age ninety who lived nearby. Stories of going months without seeing the sun, descending into mines before daybreak, and returning to the surface after sunset. The old miner told of working coal seams 18 inches high, which meant you could lie down and dig, it saved one’s back. Imagine crawling deep into a coal vein with mega tons of rock 18 inches above. The old miner still had broad shoulders and powerful arms, built in his youth, but in time the work destroyed his health. His name was Mike, and I’ll never forget him. He purchased his home when the mine shut down and the company sold the houses.
The 38.6-mile D&H threads through such towns as Forest City, Union Dale, Herrick Center, Ararat, and Thompson, an area rich in history. The discovery of coal in the early 1870’s brought an influx of Welsh miners recruited by the Hillside Coal and Iron Company. By 1883 the mine output reached 75 daily tons, all dug by 300 men and boys.
Our blog revolves around everyday courage, and my thoughts focused on the courage needed to face the day by these workers as they descended into mines where tons of debris may fall, poison gasses might asphyxiate, and the possibility of entrapment in absolute darkness are daily threats. Desperate times drove immigrants to leave their native lands and submit to these conditions. The coal companies owned everything and everyone.
Sitting on my bicycle, experiencing my great adventure of taxing muscles and breathing the mountain air, I counted my blessings with thoughts of my children and grandchildren.
In our affluence so many problems are self-derived, as if we need drama and chaos. In years gone by, the horrors were real. In the collapse at Mine Shaft #2 on April 1, 1916, seven Welsh miners died. Boys. Ages six to eleven.
Meanwhile, the mine owners traveled in private railcars, sipped tea, and slept in luxurious estates. The dynamics of those days aren’t fully detailed in our schools or media. Where are the movies and books needed to document these times? The plight of some of our ancestors is largely ignored. The United States was born with great labor pains, suffered by children and adults who fled their foreign homes because of oppression and necessity. Few came with privilege, or in comfort. It took courage.
Untold numbers of workers were abused as the wealthy took advantage of their desperation. In 1922 the song "Crugybar o frynian caersalem" or “From Salem’s hills yonder in glory” commemorated the event, as the boys were fresh off the boat after fleeing Salem’s Hills in Northeast Wales.
D&H stands for the Delaware and Hudson railroad and canal company, originating in 1823 to establish communications between the Delaware and Hudson rivers. As an independent railroad it provided a connection between New York and Canada for 150 years, but in 1991 Canadian Pacific Railroad purchased it. The D&H was known as ‘North America’s oldest continually operated transport company’. Norfolk Southern Railway completed acquisition of the D&H South line on September 19, 2015.
The branch of the D&H that ran between Lake George and Glens Falls, New York, was converted to the Warren County Bikeway in several phases, starting in 1978 and finishing in 2000. The portion of the D&H we rode was designated ‘trail of the year’ in 2021. We dedicate this post to the Brave Knights and children of courage. Never forget the sacrifices of those who came before us.
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The knights of old lived in fortresses and wore armor as protection from the enemy. Today, brave knights live among us and the armor they need is not made of metal. Today’s battles and wars have become more spiritual than physical, so our armor needs to be the stuff of strong belief and principles. Many have asked me why we call ourselves Brave Knight Writers. The term formed long ago deep within my heart. It came to me in a time of deep despair and loss. During the events of those times, I realized how precious our time is, and how blessed I was. Over the years I longed to share those days with others, not to bring pity or attention on me, but to put people in touch with their blessings.
The death of one’s child changes our view of life, the event brings one to an intersection. Many roads lead away to unknown destinations. Your head fills with voices, you find taking your next breath burdensome, but you also know you must go on. After my son’s death we joined a group called Bereaved Parents, a support group for those who had suffered the loss of a child. After several meetings I decided the group wasn’t the road I wanted to travel. Some parents had been attending for years. It was as if they had sat down at the intersection, instead of choosing a new path. This desire to not move on I fully understand, you want time to stop, the feeling of leaving your loved one behind is strong and no one wants to do such a thing.
My answers formed over time, no solution came easy, and I started down many wrong roads. I also realized I could return to the intersection. The road I finally chose was one of celebration and gratefulness for all my blessings. It wasn’t an easy road. The baggage proved heavy, I needed to discard most of it before I could continue. The first item I put in the knapsack was the five and a half years I was blessed to be with my son. Especially important were his final words in the months we spent together after he came out of his long coma. He spoke with wisdom, and not in the words of a five-year-old. He clung to a single toy; one I didn’t realize the significance of until I gained more knowledge. His toy of choice was what he called the brave knight, “the bravest knight of all” he would declare. He said it had more courage than anyone else in the hospital.
Courage filled the hospital, from the children who fought for their lives, to the staff who stood beside them in thick and thin. Here were the surgeons who dared to open the skulls of cancer patients to extract tumor tissues, the nurses who tended to the daily needs of the children and interacted with grieving parents. Staff burnout usually set in within five years. The brave knight my son embraced turned out to be the one described in Ephesians 6:10-18. This would be the armor I would need to travel the road I chose, but for someone who lacked great courage, it turned out to not fit so well. In many instances the armor irritated my flesh, itched, rubbed my skin raw, and felt heavy and burdensome. Many times, I laid bits of it aside which left me vulnerable to life-threatening wounds.
You see, I’m not the brave knight I write about, I struggle to be one. Therefore, we write about other, more formidable knights and their spiritual battles. Our desire is to inspire. Every minute we are given is a blessing and blessings are meant for sharing.
Courage takes many forms and addresses every aspect of existence. I refer our readers to Leading the Way to Victory by Mark C. Vlahos. He chronicles the 60th Troop Carrier Group’s history from 1940-1945, quite a courageous undertaking in and of itself. Colonel Vlahos served in the United States Air Force for 29 years, so who better to offer such a beautiful treasure to honor the veterans who became known as ‘The Greatest Generation’? Mark understands the sacrifices made by all those who serve, whether in war or peace. His assignments included command of a C-130 squadron in combat, Vice Wing Commander of the 314th Airlift Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base, and a wide range of operational flying experiences. These assignments offered many occasions to overcome fear and remain calm in the face of adversity. Colonel Vlahos studied at Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University. At Webster University and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces he earned master’s degrees. He’s a member of the Troop Carrier/Tactical Airlift Association and the Leon B. Spencer Research Team of the National World War II Glider Pilot Committee.
In Leading the Way to Victory, he preserves and lists those who served in the 60th TCG, not just the officers but the privates, corporals, and sergeants. Most history books acknowledge in mass the soldiers who died, were wounded, or performed outrageous acts of courage—while naming the high ranking officers in command. Mr. Vlahos drills down into the everyday workings of what it takes to achieve victory. He offers insight into what makes the difference between having an army of soldiers gathered to force others to submit, or a group of dedicated soldiers in the cause of liberty and principles. The 60th as a group stands out in a time of war, it’s mission didn’t directly wreak havoc and destruction on an innocent populace or even armed troops. These courageous soldiers went into war zones and behind enemy lines unarmed, even their aircraft had very limited armor. They flew missions in the dark of night, into mountainous regions occupied by hostiles, and landed by torch light. Much to Mr. Vlahos’ credit and detail, he examines everyday challenges faced by support personnel, like finding a sheet of plywood and painting it so staff can have a blackboard, or painting a slogan on the fuselage of an aircraft to please the pilot and crew. These are the unremarkable, remarkable feats found in this history book.
For a personal touch, Mr. Vlahos documents the actual words of those who survived, and these anecdotes take this book to an entirely new level. To have someone share their personal experience reaches the soul, and touches on the emotions of these soldiers. So many World War II soldiers saw such horrors, they could offer only silence after the war. They came home in search of joy and peace—and suppressed many memories. The ones who wrote of the experience offer us insight as to what war is really like, not a Hollywood glorified version. We thank Mr. Vlahos for his hard work and dedication to offer this treasure to the descendants of those who served, and to the American people so they can come to grips with what it takes to be free. The reader will find photographs, lists, maps, and charts along with well-structured and refined text. An awesome feature is the index which lists soldiers by name and indicates what pages mention them. Many thanks for publishing this book, and best wishes to Colonel Vlahos. If our readers go to our Indie Author Friends page, click the link to go directly to where you can purchase Leading the Way to Victory.
Mark C. Vlahos supports Vintage Wings Inc. and other charities.
Our Brave Knight Writer’s blog is dedicated to those who demonstrate courage in all aspects of life. Spiritual warfare doesn’t take a holiday or weekend, it never rests. This month’s post centers on parents embracing circumstances which fall far outside the realm of their initial hopes and dreams. Commitment and sacrifice can shower unforeseen rewards and benefits onto those who chose the hard path. We have a dear friend who personifies the example of such courage and fortitude. We’ll refer to him by his initials, G.O.
Where do I begin? First let me list the physical challenges of G.O., and mention, he never complains or exhibits anything but gratefulness for his life’s blessings. G.O. has Crohn’s disease, arthritis locks his fingers, he’s experienced kidney failure and joint replacement surgeries. There is a bounce in his step, a constant smile, and his greetings give no indications of his suffering. He’s in his sixties and cares for his forty-something daughter. He serves on several boards and advocates for people with disabilities. He invests in real estate and mentors younger real estate investors. He is a substitute teacher at a trade school. He has designed equipment to aid in the care of the handicapped.
Bottom line, he makes no excuses and lives a full, productive life.
Inspiration comes to mind when I think of G.O. Thoughts of a bad day get crushed. The words he once uttered to a peer says it best. In the breakroom at work a fellow worker sulked and complained about how unfair life was. This man was in perfect health, single, and flopped a million dollars around in the stock market. When G.O. walked into the breakroom, he asked everyone how they were. The sulker blurted out, “Lousy” to which G.O. calmly replied, “I’ll trade you one of my best days, for one of your worst days, any time.” Silence fell on the room; everyone felt the shame press on their shoulders. The sulker slunk away, but everyone felt their own self-pitying ways.
You see, not only does G.O. endure his health issues, but his daughter has cerebral palsy, is confined to a wheelchair, and must use a voice synthesizer to speak. G.O. often speaks of the absolute joy he finds in his daughter, who accompanies him everywhere. They hold inspirational discussions at colleges and high schools, where his daughter jokes and tosses out wit and wisdom. G.O. claims his life and character has been enriched by experiencing life with her. They both love cheering on their favorite football team. Recently, I met them in a sports bar where we watched a Steeler’s game.
G.O. says when his daughter was born, the doctors recommended letting her die, that she would be a burden, a detraction from a full life. G.O. and his wife agreed with each other, not the medical wisdom. They would commit to her care and center on her functionality. G.O. will tell you, his daughter added more to enriching his life than anyone can comprehend.
G.O. had a son who in his teen years developed encephalitis lethargica, and died from it in his early twenties. G.O. cared for him for 5 years as his son slipped into a catatonic state. Awakenings, starring Robin Williams, highlights the struggles of the disease.
G.O. exemplifies every quality of a Brave knight, he is the stuff of heroes, and I am blessed to know him and his family. Courage, character, dedication, dignity, and commitment get pumped through his veins by the biggest, most powerful heart I have ever witnessed.
Can anyone question the war on his spirit? The triumph of his victories? His courage is spelled out in caps. Having a bad day? Give my friend G.O. a call, he’ll offer you a trade. The last time G.O. and his daughter were at my house, we were all discussing some of life’s challenges when we suddenly heard his daughter’s voice synthesizer, “Life can be a struggle.”
Have a blessed a day. Try to be a Brave Knight. Slay dragons.
https://www.amazon.com/stores/William%20A.%20Wright/author/B0164HULKG
