Thïs Fëél Good Story Will Make Your Day

[privateinvestor]

BEND, Ore. -- He's the most highly decorated veteran in Oregon, but on Saturday,, 90-year-old Bob Maxwell got an honor he's waited more than 70 years for.
On Saturday afternoon, Oregon's only living Medal of Honor recipient graduated with Bend Senior High School's Class of 2011.
At 15, he wasn't tromping down school hallways. In fact, he wasn't in school at all. After seventh grade, Maxwell was taken out of school to work on his family's farm in Kansas, during the Great Depression.
"It was just accepted in those days," Maxwell said Friday. "When a boy was old enough to do a man's work, that's what he did."
But don't call him a dropout.
Maxwell's education didn't stop when he left school. He got his GED, even taught at Bend High back in the '50s.
One lesson the Medal of Honor recipient continues to teach every day -- modesty. He was awarded the medal of honor after he threw himself on a live grenade in France, saving the rest of his platoon from certain death.
"For him to consider walking with Bend High School as a great honor -- wow, we're the one honored," said BHS Principal H.D. Wedell. "Yet, because of his humility, he feels honored."
Honored, but not quite sure he deserved to toss his cap with the rest of the 2011 graduates.
"In some ways, I feel like it's a diploma that I haven't earned," Maxwell said. "But then I look back over the 73 years behind me, and I guess I have accumulated enough knowledge and skills to say that I've earned it."
A man with heroic accomplishments, yet still so humble. It's Maxwell's selflessness that allows his soon-to-be fellow graduates to chase the American dream.
"They can do that, because of the things that Bob has done," said Wedell. "He's laid his life down, so that our kids can be part of that."
But will there be room in Oregon's most decorated war veteran's home for his most recent award?
"I'm hoping to find a space on the wall to hang it up," said Maxwell. "It's a great honor."




Copyright 2011 KTVZ. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[Deleted]

That is an awesome story, PI!! Hope those kids understood it.

[privateinvestor]

The High School kids loved this 90 year old grad because he is so humble and he told them about the MOH...time for hockey ......bye....P.I.

[mmhmm]

Sounds like a great guy. Those kids are fortunate to have him around. He's got lots to share and is willing to share it without having to be the star of the story. Someone you'd like to sit down with over coffee.

[Deleted]

I love old people. They know so much.

[hello fromWarsaw]

He threw himself on a grenade and survived?

[deziloooooo]

Jun 13, 2011 19:31:16 GMT -5 @krickitt said:

I love old people. They know so much.

Ya know we do Krick..problem you just never want to follow our advice... ;D

[deziloooooo]

Not only did he throw himself on the grenade, the whole after action report..the citation itself, really some thing, click on the wicki..really impressive....45 's no less, can you beleive , armed just with .45's ??

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_D._Maxwell

[AGB]

It did make my day... thanks for sharing it, P.I.

[privateinvestor]

Jun 13, 2011 23:14:45 GMT -5 AGB said:

It did make my day... thanks for sharing it, P.I.

Ok AGB this story,& the Bruins win, made my day yesterday.

[handyman2]

Yep it made my day PI: I find it amazing that he survived the exploding grenade. Had to be tough as nails. I wonder if he still has some fragments still in the old bod. This story points out just how brotherly close a unit becomes in combat. It also proves the point that the gentle and quiet many times in combat are also the bravest. God Bless Him.