Palmetto Parent 2009 November Issue : Page 15
Heroes Uncle Earle went from feared taunter to being admired and loved by many at the time, but there were quite a few people that I idolized. Because of my dad’s job, it was only natu- A ral that many of my heroes were athletes — in particular those at Clemson — that I was around all the time. Th ere was Jeff Siepe, Butch Zatezalo, Eddie Barbary,Ray Yauger, Jimmy Sutherland and Harry Olszewski. Youngsters have heroes for diff erent reasons. Children admire and idealize their heroes, but it usually is not because those people have displayed great courage, have had outstanding achievements or have noble qualities. It may be someone who always smiles or gives a helping hand. It was some- times a player who did something as simple as handing his chinstrap to an admiring youngster. It wasn’t until I got older that I began to realize that there were more qualities to my heroes. In fact, I had one person who went from feared to hero — my uncle, Earle Ambrose. s a youngster, I had heroes. I didn’t identify them as such My fi rst memories of Uncle Earle was a man who was in the United States Air Force, a man who teased me con- stantly. My sister and I were invited to spend a summer with Uncle Earle and Aunt Betty while he was stationed in Omaha,Neb. I wanted to go, but didn’t think I’d survive a weekend, let alone a summer. It wasn’t until he retired to the Upstate that I got to know the real man behind that gruff exterior. Uncle Earle worked tirelessly to aid the Collins Children’s Home. He attended church regularly. In fact, he was more religious and true to his faith than I ever imagined. I saw him cry when my father died nine years ago. It was as though he had lost a brother. I returned those emotions earlier this month when Uncle Earle suff ered a massive stroke and did not make it through the night. I looked at him lying on the hospital bed and remembered all the good times we had. He taught me how to drive a car and fl y an airplane. He taught me how to work hard — partly because he yelled when I didn’t — and he taught me lessons on caring and loving. But he never lost his edge. He visited Crosswell Elementary School on Veterans Day and I cringed when a student raised her hand, and he said, “Question from the dummy in the back.” It was my daughter Robin with her hand in the air. She ignored his comment, because she knew it was said with plenty of love. ] Robert L. Bradley is the page designer for this magazine. Address comments or questions to bradleymedia@me.com. November 2009 www.palmettoparent.com Palmetto Parent 15
Home From - Heroes
Robert L. Bradley
Uncle Earle went from feared taunter to being admired and loved by many
As a youngster, I had heroes. I didn’t identify them as such at the time, but there were quite a few people that I idolized.
Because of my dad’s job, it was only natural that many of my heroes were athletes — in particular those at Clemson — that I was around all the time. Th ere was Jeff Siepe, Butch Zatezalo, Eddie Barbary, Ray Yauger, Jimmy Sutherland and Harry Olszewski.
Youngsters have heroes for diff erent reasons. Children admire and idealize their heroes, but it usually is not because those people have displayed great courage, have had outstanding achievements or have noble qualities. It may be someone who always smiles or gives a helping hand. It was sometimes a player who did something as simple as handing his chinstrap to an admiring youngster.
It wasn’t until I got older that I began to realize that there were more qualities to my heroes.
In fact, I had one person who went from feared to hero — my uncle, Earle Ambrose. My fi rst memories of Uncle Earle was a man who was in the United States Air Force, a man who teased me constantly. My sister and I were invited to spend a summer with Uncle Earle and Aunt Betty while he was stationed in Omaha, Neb. I wanted to go, but didn’t think I’d survive a weekend, let alone a summer.
It wasn’t until he retired to the Upstate that I got to know the real man behind that gruff exterior.
Uncle Earle worked tirelessly to aid the Collins Children’s Home. He attended church regularly. In fact, he was more religious and true to his faith than I ever imagined.
I saw him cry when my father died nine years ago. It was as though he had lost a brother.
I returned those emotions earlier this month when Uncle Earle suff ered a massive stroke and did not make it through the night.
I looked at him lying on the hospital bed and remembered all the good times we had. He taught me how to drive a car and fl y an airplane. He taught me how to work hard — partly because he yelled when I didn’t — and he taught me lessons on caring and loving.
But he never lost his edge. He visited Crosswell Elementary School on Veterans Day and I cringed when a student raised her hand, and he said, “Question from the dummy in the back.” It was my daughter Robin with her hand
in the air. She ignored his comment, because she knew it was said with plenty of love.
Robert L. Bradley is the page designer for this magazine. Address comments or questions to bradleymedia@me.com.
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