The relationship you have with a neighbor is like no other. Outside of the neighborhood, you may never talk to the guy across the street or have coffee with the woman who just moved in. Your neighbor could be a teacher, a lawyer, a writer or a corporate honcho. Your neighbor may be an unsung hero.
I talk with Jim Zwit practically every day, because he is outside with his dog Polly as I am walking my dog Mitch. We talk about the Bears, the Sox, the dogs, the kids, graduation of children, grandkids, traveling, flowers and anything else that is in the local news. So, when I opened the Chicago Tribune on Sunday, I saw an article with a picture depicting the Viet Nam Wall with pencil etchings highlighting some names. There was also a young man in combat gear, smiling for the camera. I spied the name ‘Jim Zwit’ – unusual name, could this be my neighbor?
I turned the page and there was his photo: his story is a wonderful remembrance to his war buddies and also a wonderful Memorial Day story.
Through the years, he has tracked down his war buddies’ families to tell them what happened to their loved ones. There is one family that he was unable to contact: the family of William Ward. It is this story that is so poignant about the quest.
After I read the article, I brought the paper to Jim. He told me that he allowed the Tribune to interview him on one condition: that the article was not about him. He also told me that throughout the day on Sunday, May 30, the day the story appeared, he received numerous phone calls from strangers, applauding his efforts. One call in particular stood out: a 90-year old war veteran called Jim to tell him that he had tried for years to find the families of his war buddies. Both men had tears in their eyes and voices as they spoke.
You can read the article by Mary Schmich and also listen to the video interview of Jim. You may have to copy them into your browser, but it is well worth the visit.
Here are the links:
articles.chicagotribune.com/.../ct-met-schmich-0529-20110529_1_memorial-day-soldiers-elusive-memories
http://www.chicagotribune.com/videobeta/c4d446f6-c566-498c-a61f-57e231be26ee/News/Vietnam-vet-I-ve-looked-for-your-family-for-35-years-
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
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