Mr. Baker

On the 24rd of september... Heidy called me to tell me that she took Vernon to the hospitol in our town ... he was then sent to CDA idaho.... then life flighted to Seattle washington...
Mr.Baker has a brain tumor..

I tried to let it sink in... i knew that he hadnt been feeling well for a while... but a BRAIN TUMOR? it could not be!
not Mr.Baker...
I met Mr. Baker several years ago... i worked at a store and he was looking for a pair of sturdy shoes... you see he was going to italy.. to retrace his steps...
I was immediately struck by his gentleness.. the sparkle in his eyes.. his sense of humor...
I recall telling him he should have gone back to italy 50 years ago and retraced those steps..
i didnt know his story then... and yet... i was REALLY impressed with this kind and gentle man..
i joked with him for several minutes.. and then my boss took me aside and mentioned that HE was MR. BAKER..
oooooh i said? and...?
CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIANT ..MR. BAKER..oooooooh i said...
thats nice...
anywho.. i then asked him for his autograph...*L* he endulged me this as if i were silly...
hmmmm humble too...
At any rate... a few years later my family became friends with MR. Baker and his wonderful wife Heidy...
they are really sweet .. generous... and kind people... they are warm and funny and i have NEVER had as much fun as i have had watching those two tell stories...
Heidy called me last week ... cheerfully telling me that Mr. Baker had come through the surgury and was doing great.. she sounded so relieved...
i was SO happy to hear it... and happy to hear the happiness and relief in Heidy's voice..

Heidy emailed me last nite that Mr.Baker is in a rehab facility now... i dont know why.. or for how long..
she said things arent good...

but i know she is worried... and scared..

and since i have a husband that had five bi pass surgury and it didnt work...i know that fear...
its terrifying to think you could lose the man you love...

I pray that Mr.Baker recovers completely... because... i KNOW he still has lots of stories about he and heidy ... and i cant wait to hear them...
GET WELL MR. BAKER.
(i know he wants me to call him Vernon.... i just cant seem to do it...;-) ... besides... its a term of RESPECT.. and that .. he most CERTAINLY has earned.... even if he had NEVER been awarded..)

http://idptv.state.id.us/dialogue/transcripts/baker.html
http://www.medalofhonor.com/VernonBaker.htm
http://www.medalofhonor.com/VernonBaker.htm