A Bond Between Combatants
November 9, 2020
Pass It On is a new, bi-weekly peek inside the heart and mind of Francis Pass…
I recently received a phone call from a man named Kenneth who reads these little stories I love to share.
Turns out, Kenneth was the unhittable left-handed pitcher from Hurst/Bush that I told you about a while back.
As we talked about our old baseball days, Kenneth asked if I remembered a guy sliding into third base. Oh, do I. In fact, I still carry the scar from that slide on my left leg.
Well, it turns out that the kid who slid his spikes into my shin… was Kenneth.
![Well, it turns out that the kid who slid his spikes into my shin was Kenneth](https://www.onehourheatandair.comhttps://4cjkpx1jteep18f3q11k8412-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/3-1024x538.png)
He chuckled and told me he did not spike me on purpose, but he does remember the tag I put on him.
I remember it, too. Kenneth was trying to steal third. And our catcher – my good buddy Wayne Corzine – jumped up from behind home plate and fired a laser to me at third base.
As I protected the bag, his coach yelled, “Slide! Slide!”
The ball lodged in the webbing of my glove as I swiped to my left. Shaaawooom! I tagged him good.
He tagged me good, too. His spikes left a two-inch washboard scar on my left leg.
That was the first time I met Kenneth. But it wouldn’t be the last.
![That was the first time I met Kenneth. But it wouldn't be the last.](https://www.onehourheatandair.comhttps://4cjkpx1jteep18f3q11k8412-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/4-1024x538-1.jpg)
Years later, Kenneth and I crossed paths at the Doughboy statue in downtown Herrin.
Kenneth is a Vietnam Veteran. His daughter worked for Herrin Security Bank at the time. It goes by a different name now.
The Bank helped foot the bill for a book called “Welcome Home” that was published by Herrin High School a few years back.
As I recall, the book featured stories from 24 area veterans. Kenneth and I were both honored to be included in the book.
Kenneth J. Robinson was a Seabee in the Navy from 1966 to 1968. You can find him on pages 113 and 114.
It’s wonderful to reconnect with a man like Kenneth. We may have been combatants on the baseball diamond, but the war made us brothers.
![We may have been combatants on the baseball diamond, but the war made us brothers](https://www.onehourheatandair.comhttps://4cjkpx1jteep18f3q11k8412-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/5-1024x538-1.jpg)
Even though we served in different branches of the military, we have a bond.
All veterans have a bond.
And I think there’s an even greater connection among Vietnam veterans.
Today, I salute Kenneth and all of my fellow veterans who have served, defended, and protected our great nation.
Happy Veteran’s Day.
Thanks for readin’…
Francis Pass.
P.S. – If you ever get a chance to read the book “Welcome Home,” you should do it. It’s out of print, but I hear the Herrin City Library has a copy you can peruse.
![Welcome Home Herrin's Vietnam Veterans](https://www.onehourheatandair.comhttps://4cjkpx1jteep18f3q11k8412-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/6-1024x538-1.jpg)