Out of Context 8

put me and Charlie to work running the Hilton’s movie theatre, where we introduced and played various Ranger videos.

            It is not difficult to describe the feeling of being surrounded by Rangers the day after 9/11.  The feeling was of absolute security, confidence and pride.  Charlie and I had stumbled into the camp of the greatest warriors in the world, an extended family consisting of WWII Rangers, some Korean and Vietnam era Rangers, and active duty Rangers, the latter soon to find their way to Afghanistan; all of whom, despite the age difference, had a calm demeanor that said, “Listen, if we’re buddies, I’m the greatest guy in the world; if not, don’t tread on me, pal.”  Rangers: Quintessential Americans.

            So Charlie and I were out by the pool, taking a break from the theatre, when we heard someone shout, “HEY!”  We looked around, but couldn’t determine the source.  Then we heard it again: “HEY!”  We looked to the far side of the pool and saw a man sitting on a bench, bandages on his forearms, his hands resting on a cane between his legs.  A tall blond woman stood by his side.  He thrust his chin at us:  “HEY!”  Charlie and I looked around, then at each other.  We pointed to ourselves, a silent, “Us?”

            “YEAH, YOU!  COME HERE!”  He wasn’t a large man, but he had a large and commanding voice, so as commanded, we went.  And that was our introduction to Stephen J. Meade and his lovely wife, Joan.  As it turned out, Steve just wanted company.  He wanted to know who we were, where we were from, what we did; he wanted to know about our Ranger father.  As it turned out, Steve was also a member or the original 1^st Ranger Battalion, as was our father.  In fact, in June of 1942, it was Capt. Stephen J. Meade, and he commanded  A Company or the original 1^st Battalion.

From "Colonel Stephen J. Meade: a Ranger Always"--2007