EASY EDDIE

 

 

EASY EDDIE 

Easy Eddie was Al Capone's lawyer, and his job was to keep Capone out of prison. Eddie lived it up on Capone's dime, and gave little thought to the evil around him. But he had a son he loved very much, and despite Eddie's involvement in organized crime, he tried to teach his son right from wrong. He wanted his son to be a better man than he was. As time went on, Eddie realized that if he stayed with Capone he’d be able to pass on his wealth to his son, but he would not be able to pass on the two most important things – a good name and a good example. 

Finally, Eddie knew what he had to do. He tried to right his wrongs. He went to law enforcement and told the truth about Al Capone, hoping it would clear his name and offer a good example to his son. He testified about the Capone organization; within a year, Easy Eddie's life ended in gunfire on a Chicago street. He died knowing that he had given his son a great gift, the gift of example - of one who changed his life by choosing right over wrong. 

Now a second story: Lieutenant Butch O'Hare, a fighter pilot, served during World War II. One day, all the planes on his aircraft carrier, the USS Lexington, were drawn off by radar contacts until only Butch and his wingman remained. Another radar contact showed a Japanese squadron speeding towards the American ship. With the American planes gone, the aircraft carrier was defenseless except for its anti-aircraft guns. 

The two remaining planes took off, but as the squadron of enemy bombers approached, his wingman's guns jammed and Butch was left alone. His four 50-caliber guns gave him about 34 seconds of ammunition to confront the enemy. Flying four different attack runs, Butch shot down five enemy bombers and saved the Lexington from the attack. 

The film from his plane's gun-camera showed Butch's heroism to the world. He became the Navy's first Ace of World War II, and he was the first Naval Aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at age 29. 

Today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named after his bravery. And here's the twist – the two stories are connected. Butch O'Hare was Easy Eddie's son. 

The lives we influence may not experience tragedy like Butch O’Hare and Easy Eddie.

But, don’t underestimate the importance of our example to those we teach.  Our students may not remember a specific lesson, or be able to expound a particular doctrine – but they will be able to remember the feelings they felt as they sat in our classrooms and learned.  They’ll remember a compliment or an arm on their shoulder, or genuine interest in them after they’ve moved on to a new class. 

1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 

Like Easy Eddie, it’s never too late to try to improve, and be an even better example than we are now.