Compiled by London Swaminathan

Date: 27 October 2016

Time uploaded in London: 17-22

Post No.3294

Pictures are taken from various sources; thanks

Vice President Henry A Wallace, in his famous speech on “The Century of the Common Man “, told the following story of heroism and courage

The American people always had guts and always will have. You know the story of the bomber pilot Dixon and radio man Gene Aldrich and ordnance man Tony Pastula -the story which Ameicans will be telling their children for generations to illustrate man’s ability to master any fate. These men lived for 34 days on the open sea in a rubber life raft, 8 feet by 4 feet, with no food but that which they took from the sea and the air with one pocket knife and a pistol. And yet they lived it through and came at last to the beach of an island they did not know. Despite their suffering and weakness, they stood like men, with no weapon to protect themselves and no shoes on their feet or clothes on their backs and walked in military file because, they said, “if there were Japs, we didn’t want to be crawling.”

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Any Volunteer Please!

During the heroic defence of the Bataan Peninsula, one of the commanding officers lined up a company of his men and asked for a volunteer for a mission of the utmost peril. Anyone willing to serve was instructed to step forward two paces from the line.

He glanced for a moment at a memorandum in his hand and, looking up, was shocked and disappointed to see the ranks unbroken.

“What, he said unbelievingly, ” not a single man!”

” You do not understand, sir, said an aide at his elbow , the whole line stepped forward Roy two paces “.

(It reminds the story of Great Sikh Guru — Guru Gobind Singh who asked for five volunteers)

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Philosophy of Life!

A profound philosophy of life is reflected in the reply of the sailor who, when he was asked what he done with his pay , said, Part went for liquor and part went for women. The rest I spent foolishly.

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Shortly after the Revolutionary War, Benedict Arnold was presented at Court in London. While the King was conversing with him , Lord Balcarass, a stately old noble, who had fought under General Burgoyne in the campaigns of America, was presented. The King introduced them with Lord Barcarass and General Arnold

What sir, said the haughty old earl drawing up his lofty form, the traitor Arnold!” and refused to give him his hand.

The consequence was a challenge from Arnold . They met and it was arranged that the parties should fire together. At the signal Arnold fired. Lord Balcarass, however, throwing down his pistol, turned on his heel, and was walking away, when Arnold called after him,

Why don’t you fire my Lord?

Sire, said the earl, ” I will leave that to the executioner “.

—SUBHAM–