UPBEAT TIMES, INC. • MAY 2017 • 7


ISDOM by Eloise Tweeten


Eloise@TweetenEldercare.com Know an Elder? 707-570-2589


Oakmont, CA. ~ When you fi rst meet Earl O’Grady of Oakmont, don’t be surprised if he greets you with a warm hug and a twinkle in his eye. That’s who he is, inside and out! Earl was born to Mae and John Jo- seph O’Grady in San Francisco in June, 1921.


The young


Irish Catholic family moved to San Luis Obispo when Earl was two, following his


father’s work


for Southern Pacifi c Railroad. His father died in a work-re- lated accident when Earl


was seven,


leaving his mother to raise him alone. She was strict, but car- ing. Mae didn’t drive, but they never missed weekly mass two and a half miles from home. Inspired by early aviation,


Earl was given an opportunity to attend a fl ight training pro- gram at age 16. He became a licensed pilot before he could drive a car in California! That early


training provided Earl


with later life experiences he never would have imagined... Earl didn’t know that his


mother had big plans for him while he was busy making plans of his own to become a civil engineer. The local pas- tor was related to the president of Notre Dame University, and Mae arranged for Earl to attend Notre Dame’s seminary pro- gram to enter the priesthood. It wasn’t until Earl was given his dorm assignment, and was


beginning and end of his ca- reer as a priest. Of course his mother was devastated, but ul- timately Earl was able to shift into civil engineering, and blended his studies with fl ight by becoming a military cadet while attending the university. Earl attended fl ight training at Wright Field in Ohio, and graduated with a degree in Civ- il Engineering in May, 1942, fi ve months after Pearl Harbor. Earl received his commission


in the Army Air Corps and was sent “down under” to Australia. Australians loved the “Yanks” and they were treated like roy- alty. However, when Earl was called to meet with the com- manding General, his life was about to change.


His civilian


fl ight experience was needed to help the 42nd Infantry Divi-


called the next morning to give his fi rst vow, that he realized what had been planned. “Wait a minute,” he exclaimed. like girls!” And that was the


“I TM


An Ace of a Man!


An Interview with Earl O’Grady


sion by fl ying a Piper Cub as an artillery “spotter.” After abort- ing his fi rst mission with the plane riddled with bullet holes, a “skull” session (brainstorm- ing) was held and the Division’s chef came up with the idea of lin- ing the plane with, yes, sanitary


pads. They


stopped the bullets! After six months, Earl was then sent to the South Pacifi c, where he was assigned to the 339 fi ghter squadron and fl ew P-40 and P-47 fi ghter planes. Ulti- mately, he fl ew a P-38 Lightning.


The Japa-


nese Zeros out maneu- vered them, but were not as robust. He has earned the designation


of WWII fi ghter “ace,” hav- ing shot down 23 planes. He was shot down three times himself, including once over water with sharks biting at his


tiny raft. His faith and prayers were abundantly used in that encounter as well as in a num- ber of harrowing experiences in combat against the Japanese. The conditions in the South


Pacifi c that Earl experienced were 180 degrees from the musical version.


Chemically


purifi ed water was provided in canvas Lyster bags, they were housed in tents, and he con- tracted both dengue fever and malaria. It was truly a struggle for existence, but Earl said morale was positive because the “Yanks” loved life, were generally good natured, and had a “just do it” attitude. Earl met some of the “best people” while serving in the Army Air Corps. A strong bond formed among the men despite a need to keep emotional distance, with focus on service to coun- try above self. Earl returned to civilian life and San Luis Obispo in Decem- ber, 1945, and became an engi- neer with the State Division of Highways.


After missing out


on a promotion, Earl left this job and went to Pacifi c Bell, where all employees started at the bottom and worked their way up. He advanced quickly and ultimately retired from Pa- cifi c Bell, but never again used ... continued from page 12


JOKES & Humor # 3


A customer went to snack bar and ordered a


hamburger. When 20 minutes had gone and his food hadn’t arrived, the irritated customer asked the waiter.


Customer: Will my hamburger be long?


Waiter: No, sir...it will be round.


Humor # 3.2


While sitting at your desk, lift your right foot off the fl oor and make Clockwise circles. Now, while doing this, draw the number “6” in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction and there’s nothing you can do about it. Number ‘0’ too.


www.williebirdsrestaurant.com


A Sonoma County Tradition! “Turkey always and turkey all ways!”


Williebird’s Restaurant 1150 Santa Rosa Ave


Santa Rosa • 707-542-0861 “In quoting others, we cite ourselves.” ~ Julio Cortázar


Restaurant Hours: Monday - Saturday 7:00AM - 9:00PM Sunday 7:00AM - 8:00PM


Williebird’s Retail Store 5350 HWY 12,


Santa Rosa • 707-545-2832 UPBEAT TIMES, INC. • MAY 2017 • 7


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