A Patriot Remembers

by Frank Desorbo A Christmas story recalled

Red Newell’s ‘Going Home’ memories resonate long after his passing

Christmas is a time for families, and sharing time with our loved ones is definitely more cherished than the gifts we give and receive. Prior to writing for Family Now, I wrote a Senior Spotlight column for military veterans called “The Veteran Next Door.” The most memorable of those columns was “Going Home,” which touches on the Christmas spirit. The following is the article as it first appeared in December 2017. Years ago, local veteran Red During six weeks of the year, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, we truly enjoy the Newell shared his memories of returning home for Christmas – a tale that was highlighted in American sentiment of fam- a 2017 article by the author. ily and friends. To our current military servicemen and women or two of their experience that and veterans there are two simple morning. words that have a world of impact: “Going Home.” Red is an Army veteran of the Korean War serving in Germany

It is Christmastime 2015 at working in the AAA unit (Anti the coffee club of TGIV (Thank Aircraft Artillery). His work on God It’s Veterans) at the Gate- the air base served him well for way Diner. There is small event Christmas 1950. Red was granted scheduled to have veterans tell a three-day pass to go home to Iretheir Christmas story when they land. Red hopped an Army plane were in service. We recorded headed to London. In England he their stories on video thanks to took a train to Liverpool. Then Patriot Flight’s videographer, Bob next was a ferry ride to Dublin, Shenise. Ireland. From Dublin he catches Red Newell’s “Going Home” story impressed me so much that I need to record it on paper for posterity. He was born in Ireland, and he still has a slight Irish brogue. He is a person to admire for his air of simplicity and high integrity. Red visited the coffee club for the first time on the day of telling the Christmastime stories. There were about 10 of the a train to Galway. When he is to arrive at the Galway train station, he realizes it is still 17 miles from his home in Headford. He knows the venture is not over, and he is not sure how he will make it to Headford. He is so close but yet so far. The journey consumed all day and it was miraculous that he even got this far. He told his mother that he would try to 35 Veterans who shared a minute Continued on Page 17

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