Just when you thought it was safe to go out in the dark, you get lost. And your beloved is calling to you in her tinkling American antiques special way. Walter, are you out there talking to yourself in the dark again? You finished your newscast? How did that new bomb story go? Turn on a light for heavens sake. Yes dear thanks, I agree, good night. Have a wonderful night's sleep. Did you put a coal on the fire? No I thought we should cut down. You're probably right dear with all that need in Europe right now.



When you have a little food and your neighbor has none, it does seem the right thing to do to share. I am sure you are right dear. Put that lump of coal in the Feed The Children of Europe Care box. Such irony, a lump of coal for Christmas and they will sing with joy. Yes, indeed. The bomb story is the big news of the century I am sure. Less than three years after Hiroshima and they now have a bomb that can create the destructive power of a million Hiroshimas. Do we really need that right now? Yes dear.

And then what happens if the Russians ever get ahold of those plans I care not to imagine after so much war. My dear I some times wonder just how much progress the dear old world can afford. Did you put the cat out, dear? No, now that would be a disaster. Bomb those poor kids in Berlin with kittens, I say. What was that, dear? We know these American antiques heros come to us only time to time. That was such a time. 1948 in the evolution of humanity was made more vintage in not such a fine year. And that American airman made the day.

Not any headlines much as might have been in the greater measure of what measures. That Walter of his day- the Man with the Golden Voice on the radio who told us of the world each evening, knew. But the airman and his crew delivered their ten tons of coal as was their job. And then they did more. And starting with with that one G.I. Joe who cared, they put joyful smiles on the faces of children who had likely never been in a position to have any reason to smile yet in their young lives. And even a small thing such as that should rate very very high in the heavens.

That G.I. Joe was not likely there at Yalta when Joe Stalin - a very different kind of Joe - made promises he never intdended to keep. But as God is in his Heaven- Gott ist in Himmel - He shone brightly on the right Joe that cold autumn morning in Berlin. When children were so bonded to an American airman whose name might have been Joe. Just another G.I. Why do they call them GIs again Dear? They are all a Government Issue man. Some government. Some issue. Some man. Thank you Joe. Enjoy your retirement, so well and finely earned.

We raise our candy bars to you. We can only hope to be a fine vintage, lesser version of you as we age. Thanks, Joe. See you in Himmel. Heaven.