The painter was a hero.
Lots of people knew Grover Lewis "Red" Ashley, but for the most part, the world passed him by.
At 61, Red lived a quiet, simple life. His was the typical life of an aging bachelor -- meals in a restaurant, sports on radio and television, and street corner conversations with friends.
But this country, this state, and his home town of Hartford owed more to Red than the flowers following his unexpected death last Wednesday afternoon.
Red entered the United States Army on February 6, 1942. When he was discharged on October 4, 1945, he was minus one eye and other parts of his face and body were recovering from battlefield wounds.
He saw battle in the Sicilian and Italian campaigns and he paid the price.
And although it is considered meager by today's standards, the U.S. Government paid it's dues.
When Red left Newton D. Baker General Hospital in Martinsburg, Virginia on October 4, 1945, he had $142.56, two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, a Good Conduct Medal, and a European African Middle Eastern Theatre Campaign Ribbon.
Hardly and eye for an eye.
Red was a World War II Hero, but, his government forgot. Red almost gave his life, but that life, at the time was only a number and numbers are easily replace.
Red was more than a number in Hartford. While his movements were slow and confined, Red was a familiar figure with his toothless grin and his green work clothes.
Red was a hero and the world in which he helped bring peace passed him by.
The painter was a hero.
Lots of people knew Grover Lewis "Red" Ashley, but for the most part, the world passed him by.
At 61, Red lived a quiet, simple life. His was the typical life of an aging bachelor -- meals in a restaurant, sports on radio and television, and street corner conversations with friends.
But this country, this state, and his home town of Hartford owed more to Red than the flowers following his unexpected death last Wednesday afternoon.
Red entered the United States Army on February 6, 1942. When he was discharged on October 4, 1945, he was minus one eye and other parts of his face and body were recovering from battlefield wounds.
He saw battle in the Sicilian and Italian campaigns and he paid the price.
And although it is considered meager by today's standards, the U.S. Government paid it's dues.
When Red left Newton D. Baker General Hospital in Martinsburg, Virginia on October 4, 1945, he had $142.56, two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, a Good Conduct Medal, and a European African Middle Eastern Theatre Campaign Ribbon.
Hardly and eye for an eye.
Red was a World War II Hero, but, his government forgot. Red almost gave his life, but that life, at the time was only a number and numbers are easily replace.
Red was more than a number in Hartford. While his movements were slow and confined, Red was a familiar figure with his toothless grin and his green work clothes.
Red was a hero and the world in which he helped bring peace passed him by.
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