A Tribute to a Hero - Major James B. McWilliams

      Mark Twain once said " Each man must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, which course is patriotic and which isn't.  You cannot shirk this and be a man.  To decide against your conviction is to be an unqualified and excusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country, let men label you as they may." From an early age, Jim McWilliams had decided his path.  He did not live in a posture of defense waiting for whatever life threw his way, he choose to live marching into the unknown with full confidence, not looking back with regrets.  His simplistic, rustic Waynesboro roots of dirt roads, wading creeks and milking cows with a house full of brothers and sisters made family a deep part of his legacy.  Before loyalty to his country ever rooted in his heart, devotion to his family had seeds that ran to his core.  

     I have often wondered what kind of man chooses serving his country over personal fame.  He declined 4 college scholarships to join the Army.  That is pure courage, honor and a deep inner strength that was wrapped up in this amazing man.  I will never know all the details of all the countless stories of his time jumping out of helicopters and the completing missions behind enemy lines.  If you looked closely, you could see the weight of those days in his big blue eyes.  The heaviness would soon fade with the stories of joy and pride as he would share about the years he served along side of countless heroes.  

     Once he retired from the military, he forged ahead with the same intensity as he served his community.  Jim was a type of man that you knew when he walked into a room.  He possessed an inner confidence that drew you to him.  

     For the past 16 years, I have had the privilege of calling this precious man my father-in-law.  This man, this hero, this bull in a china shop.......stole my heart.   I loved the boldness and confidence that he carried as he walked, I loved his big hugs and laugh.  I loved canning vegetables, making jellies, and milking cows with him.  I loved watching him love Taylor, Ethan and Lily and seeing the joy and pride swell up as he talked about them.  We are so blessed to have countless memories of gator rides around the farm, ice cream nights with a "Hey....where's mine" if you walked by papa without a bowl for him, a challenge to a pool game, and playing in the snow.  Our hearts are longing for more memories.  

     Mark Twain's quote earlier ended with "let men label you as the may."  Precious Jim, I hope you know that are are labeled as hero, warrior, man of honor, faithful friend, fun papa, a force to be reckoned.  

     A person's legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they tell about you.  Jim's name is carved much deeper on our hearts, than it will ever be on a tombstone.  We will honor him in the remembering....his legacy is honored in our determination and focus on the days before us.  He is remembered by our pride in a job well done.  He will be celebrated every time we see the red, white and blue of our American flag wave in the wind.  We will wipe our tears, tell his stories and be forever grateful that we had the honor and privilege of loving this precious man.