Chaplain Jim's Webblog

A Story of a Life Changed

chaplainjims — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 21:34:36 +0000

Two great stories about Chicago…BOTH TRUE – and worth reading!!!!

STORY NUMBER ONE Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago Capone wasn’t famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.

Capone had a lawyer nicknamed ‘Easy Eddie.’ He was Capone’s lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie’s skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.

To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big, but Eddie got special dividends, as well. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block.

Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him.

Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object. And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried t o teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was. Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn’t give his son; he couldn’t pass on a good name or a good example.

One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie wanted to rectify wrongs he had don He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al ‘Scarface’ Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. So, he testified. Within the year, Easy Eddie’s life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street . But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay. Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine.

The poem read:
‘The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour. Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time. For the clock may soon be still.’

STORY NUMBER TWO

World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O’Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific.

One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship. His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. As he was returning to the mother ship, he saw something that turned his blood cold; a squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding its way toward the American fleet.

The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenseless. He couldn’t reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet.

Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber’s blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent. Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible, rendering them unfit to fly.

Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction.

Deeply relieved, Butch O’Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier. Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch’s daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft

This took place on February 20, 1942 , and for that action Butch became the Navy’s first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor.

A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His home town would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O’Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man.

So, the next time you find yourself at O’Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch’s memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It’s located between Terminals 1 and 2.

SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?

BUTCH O’HARE WAS ‘EASY EDDIE’S SON

THANKS FOR GREAT POLICE MEMORIAL RIDE

chaplainjims — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:41:18 +0000

It’s been over a month and time for a BIG THANK YOU to the many people who made the Palm Beach County Third Annual Police Memorial Ride a huge success. The following Police Departments gave of their Police Motor Officers: Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office, Lantana, Boynton Beach and Boca Raton. Florida Highway Patrol had five cruisers along with one cruiser from Lantana to assist in traffic control.

The stops which were noted for Memorial Stops were (in order) Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, PBSO Dist. Nine at Royal Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Lantana. At Lantana a first class Memorial Service was held with Lantana Palm Beach Bagpiper leading in the Lantana Honor Guard, Singing of the National Anthem, reading of fallen Officers, Gun Volley, Fly Over by PBSO Helicopter and playing of Taps. An additional treat was the playing and marching of the Fort Lauderdale Pipe & Drum Corp. Following the Memorial Service was a Memorial lunch for everyone attending. A special thanks goes to Lantana Police and City Council for the use of their grounds.

Plans are already in the making for 2009 Police Memorial Ride. An Email List is being compiled of those who have ridden with us before or interested in next years ride. Email ChaplainJimShackelford@yahoo.com

Third Annual Police Memorial Motorcyle Ride – May 10, 2008

chaplainjims — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:43:21 +0000

May 11 - 17 is designated National Police Week. This is a time to remember those officers who have paid the ultimate price. As a “Kick Off” to this important week a Third Annual Police Memorial Motorcycle Ride will be held in Palm Beach County. The ride will be escorted by Police Motor Officers from various departments and consist of the following stops:

Jupiter Police Department
Palm Beach Gardens Police Department
PBSO District Nine at Royal Palm Beach
Boca Raton Police Department
Lantana Police Department

At each stop the names of Fallen Officers from that department will be read with a Memorial Prayer to follow. At the Lantana Police Department a Full Memorial Service will be held at the Memorial Fountain. Lantana will have their Color Guard set the pace for this service which will include bagpipes, 21 gun salute and helicopter fly-over. Other departments will have opportunity to have a designated person read the names of their fallen officers.

Following the service there will be a Memorial Lunch in honor of the Fallen Officers. All in all this will be a very inspirational day in which we remember those who have given all. It is also a time of recognition of the Fallen Officers families.

Any motorcycle rider may be involved simply by being at the Jupiter Police Department no later than 7:45 AM located on Military Trail just South of Indiantown Rd. in Jupiter.

Reservations are requested by calling or emailing Chaplain Jim Shackelford at 561-307-3361 or chaplainjimshackelford@yahoo.com

What’s it all about?

chaplainjims — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 03:08:27 +0000

LAW ENFORCEMENT … that’s what it’s all about! My tenure with the Ohio State Highway Patrol was before some of you were born. Ever since I can remember I had a deep respect for law enforcement. I’ve said it dozens of times and I firmly believe that being a “Good Cop” is a high calling of God. When I say “Good Cop” it is more that writing tickets, competent report writing, in depth investigations, etc. …. it has to go deeper than that. I am talking about the quality of the man or woman who is wearing the badge. What’s inside the heart? What about ethics and morality? Someone once said, “Show me a man who does right when he’s all alone and no one is watching and I’ll show you a man of high character”.

We don’t have to be rocket scientist to realize our world in on a slippery slope. All one has to do is listen to the news. To the average “joe citizen” it may be just so many words but it will catch up to them sooner or later. To you and I who care deeply about our country, families, relationships, etc. it goes much deeper. I have to admit I am deeply concerned about the good old USA. I don’t like what I see in so many areas that touch our lives. Isn’t it sad when we anticipate our politicians to be caught in lies, corruption and immorality? To tell you the truth I believe it is more sad when those in law enforcement are caught in lies, corruption and immorality. I don’t believe for a moment that it has to be that way. I believe in taking the “high road”. Living a life that I don’t have to be ashamed of. Not having to worry about being caught or found out. Not having to tell one lie to cover another. Being able to genuinely love and respect my wife and expect the same in return.

In coming “Blogs” we will discuss all the above. I’ll include articles from those who are experts in certain areas dealing with daily issues of law enforcement. I’ll draw from many personal experiences that have impacted my life. I’ll even use your input – that is if you give it.

I invite you to send in questions, comments, upcoming events, newsworthy articles, suggestions, etc. If we can help one person in law enforcement to become a better, more proficient officer that can walk with their head held high and not have to wonder if they’ll get caught … I will be more than satisfied. We will deal with inspiration, investigation, police jargon, police humor and all the above.

I’ll leave you with a John Maxwell quote, “Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude“. Don’t forget to let me know your thoughts.

Chaplain Jim

Hello world!

chaplainjims — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:14:00 +0000

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