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Another of the 'Greatest Generation' leaves legacy to communityOn Nov. 5, the nation lost another of its World War 11 heroes and the Snow Camp community lost a fine man.Calvin Thompson was a quiet man. He didn’t speak of his bravery. We were both part of a Veterans Day service at Pleasant Hill ChristianChurch a couple of years ago.. As 1 proudly (lisplayed myM memorabilia from the 82nd^ Airborne, 1 glanced over toCalvin’s items lying on the table. I was speechless as 1 saw his citation for the Bronze Star.As a private first class near Tambach, Germany, his company moved forward in attack and the platoon was pinned down by intense enemy machine gunfire. He worked his way from cover to cover in the direction of the enemy position. When only 75 yards from the enemy gun, he opened fire. With bursts of accurate fire, he silenced the gun, and killed its crew and three supporting riflemen.When I asked him about this and his other commendations, he smiled in his usual laid-back manner and quietly said, “Well, Anthony,ThompsonI just did what needed to be done.“ He did not elaborate nor speak of It again.Calvin’s passing was a personal loss. I looked up to Calvin since I was a boy. He and his young wife, Margaret Lee, lived near us on Coble Mill Road In Snow Camp. He always took time for me, answering my childish questions with a kind smile and letting me help him wash his new 1953 Rocket Oldsmobile 88. Calvin also took me to my first circle track race at Bowman Gray Speedway over 50 years ago. From that first exposure to the loud ' engines and sparks fi)^ on the track, I was hooked on hot rods and racing. 1 always considered that my first NASCAR race.As we age, our early memories become our foitdest. Calvin’s influence on my life was important. On this Veterans Day, let’s remember all the contributions to our nation over the years to those who have had a part in protecting this great country’s freedom.Thanks for everything, Calvin, and rest in peace.ANTHONY JONES SR.Snow CampIDo we want’anyone’to be piesidenl of ihe U. 1?Recently on a blog someone said by Obama being elec^ it showed “anyone can become
Newspaper Details
Burlington Times News
Burlington, North Carolina, US
Tue, Nov 11, 2008
Page 5
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Anonymous
NC, USA 10 Jul 2018
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