Espyville Buzz - Dandelion Days

( The original version of the article below first appeared in 2019. I believe that the concepts I touch upon have the merit of being repeated…especially in this Time of turmoil throughout our entire Planet, and especially here, at home, in our precious Nation. The Message which DAN & SAM whisper to our ears should ALWAYS remain within our Hearts. These two HEROES are with me ALWAYS. And the Valor and Love they display is ETERNAL.)

As many folks already know, I was part of the Board for our local OPERATION WOUNDED VETZ for the past several years. Also commonly known, over the past six years I created an original piece of Artwork for the annual OWV auction. These six Artworks represent the true story of the relationship between an American Military Hero and his Canine Companion during the years of the war in Viet Nam. Upon the veteran’s discharge, he was not permitted to take his beloved Friend home with him. The rest…is described below: how I met him, what he related to me, and what he did NOT say.

For the Celebration of America’s Day of Independence, I shared three of the images I created on Facebook. The response was MORE than totally unexpected. Literally countless individuals responded to my posts. Prior to this, the LINESVILLE COMMUNITY NEWS had published my story/article relating my experience with this incredible Hero.

Likewise, as I traversed our Region over the past several days, I have been approached by numerous persons (while shopping, while making my rounds in our Regional Medical - See Center page 7

Center - from page 6

Center, etc.) each expressing their gratitude for not only the Facebook posts, but, MOST significantly, they related that they had read my article, and wished to see it once again.

THEN…the biggest surprise of all.

I received an email from a woman named Marilyn, the daughter of a long departed Dear Friend. The daughter lives in Arizona. I had persuaded her Mom to pursue her Creative Talents during the final years of her physical Life.

The daughter had searched and found me on Facebook…exactly as I was posting the three images of my work. Her words of praise were VERY kind…and, she, as had many others, requested the story behind the works.

WELL…of course the Fourth of July is - See Passed page 8

Passed - from page 7

passed; but the honor, respect, and gratitude that we as American Citizens should express toward our Military Service Heroes and Heroines should NEVER STOP!

Hence, once again, I submit the TRUE STORY OF DAN & SAM to each of you.

May they always be remembered!

THE TRUE STORY OF DAN & SAM…by George P. Nowack

As I sit here in front of my computer trying, unsuccessfully, to stifle and hold back my tears, I realize that a HUGE chapter of my Life has now been completed.

A few moments ago I placed the finishing touches on my fifth and final Artwork which I have created as a donation to our local OPERATION WOUNDED VETZ event, which will be happening on July 21, at the Meadville Italian Civic Club location.

This final creation, entitled “NEVER FORGOTTEN” relates the last step in the story which I began several years ago. Each work in my series was intentionally developed to tell part of a tale with which I was blessed to have heard firsthand from a small group of individuals which I had the extreme honor of meeting four decades ago. Please allow me to explain.

During part of the late 1970’s, I spent a time being homeless, living on the streets and sharing time with others who also wandered in a similar situation. After a while, the atmosphere of immediate mistrust of my presence gradually evaporated, and the other folks began to “open-up” to me. Many of the homeless individuals demonstrated what could only be interpreted as extreme loneliness. Some had lost their Families, their homes and possessions, and all they had hoped to achieve in Life…despite, in most instances, their very, VERY hard work. Most were the victims of circumstances beyond their control. Others had simply “turned their backs” to the Society and world of those times.

Yet, as time developed, and their trust in me expanded, I gradually met, and listened to the experiences, shared by a smaller sub-group of these people…listened, usually, well into the small hours of the night. The tales told to me by these men (they were ALWAYS men), have stayed with me these many, many years…never diminishing in their effect upon my Heart and upon my Spirit.

Each of these men was an American Service Veteran…some serving in Viet Nam during the 1960’s…and a VERY few having served earlier in Korea, and one individual (an extremely frail man) having served in France during WWII. More than two-thirds of the Vets carried with them the scars, both physically and emotionally, of their years of Service…a few were physically disabled, and “normal” Life was something they could NEVER hope to recapture.

BUT…

What has stayed with me the most, what affected me the deepest, was the Life story of just ONE of these American Heroes…and he became the individual with which I would spend most of the late evenings listening enthralled to his words.

Without revealing this man’s true identity, let’s call him “Dan.”

Dan was never alone…with him at all moments was his partner, his one Family member, his “Soul-mate,” his sweet Canine companion, Sam (Dan - See Sam page 10

Sam - from page 9

named him “Sam” in honor of the American Symbol, UNCLE SAM).

Sam never left Dan’s side. They drank the river water together…wandered the streets of Pittsburgh’s Northside together…slept together…and on Sunday mornings, they attended Service together (the Minister was a very kind and understanding individual).

Dan never revealed his true age to me, or to anyone; however, in light of his military service, it would be safe to assume that in 1978, Dan was in his late ‘40’s, give or take. The tale which Dan entrusted to me during those late evenings serves as the Inspiration for my dedication to OPERATION WOUNDED VETZ, and as the inspiration for the five Artworks I have created in memory of him and ALL our American Service Heroes and Heroines.

THE TALE AS DAN TOLD ME…

Began shortly after his enlistment. He pursued, and was granted, the responsibility of serving together with a Service Dog. This dog came under Dan’s auspices as a small pup…a German Shepherd, pup, of course. Together they spent hours, days, weeks, and MORE training together. Dan never told me the name of his Canine Service Companion; whenever I would ask for this information, he would quickly “SHUT-UP.” The two of them served together several years, throughout the length of Dan’s duty.

BUT…when the time came for Dan‘s tour to be completed, he was not permitted to take his loyal sidekick back home with him. They parted…despite all the best efforts.

Dan returned back home to Pennsylvania, only to find that in his absence, he had lost everything. He had absolutely only one choice: to inhabit the streets and sleep under the bridges of Pittsburgh.

After a few months alone, and with the colder season approaching, Dan found himself totally alone late one evening, and warming his hands over an “acquired” can of Sterno.

AND THEN…

A tiny whine split the quiet of Dan’s night. Two tiny eyes stared out of the darkness at Dan. For whatever reason…Fate…Karma…Eternity…the eyes moved forward toward Dan, and as Dan wrapped his arms around the little guy, Sam gave Dan his first lick, his kiss of approval.

The rest is obvious history.

AS I spent more and more late evenings together with Dan and the other folks, Sam, also, began to trust me. I suppose he sensed Dan’s acceptance of me.

Gradually, my Life began to change once again. A friend with whom I had worked took me in and shared his mobile home with me. I had a warm place to sleep, and a warm shower to take whenever I wanted!

Gradually, I “moved” my homeless period to the back of my mind.

Several months passed…or, perhaps, it was more like an entire year, or more. For some unknown reason, I was prompted to visit the folks with whom I had shared my homeless experiences. I searched them out in the places I had seen them last. By this time, Pittsburgh had passed new legislation which effectively barred the homeless from public sites and venues. Through I tried my best, I NEVER saw Dan or Sam ever again…but, they have NEVER, EVER left me.

The series of works which I created for our local Veterans’ event tells Dan & Sam’s story in five parts:

TRIBUTE…which depicts a German Shepherd holding and defending the staff of an American Flag;

BOOT CAMP…which depicts a GSD Canine pup at his Service Partner’s feet;

ALWAYS FAITHFUL…which depicts that same Canine fully-grown, and curled around the empty boots of his departed Companion;

NEVER FORGOTTEN…which depicts…well, if you have a chance to see this work, you’ll KNOW!

I also created another work which was not created in submission to the Wounded Vetz event.

This work is entitled…HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS…which depicts the homeless Dan & Sam as I knew them.

DAN & SAM…I KNOW you are listening, as are all the other Vets who shared their experiences with me during those nights and days. Believe me…my Love, Gratitude, and Admiration for EACH of you will NEVER pass away.

MAY EVERY MOMENT OF YOUR EVERY DAY BE FILLED WITH LOVE, PEACE, AND HOPE!

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