I quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson, in his essay on Heroism, to emphasize that the characteristic of genuine heroism is its persistency. “All men have wandering impulses, fits, and starts of generosity. But when you have resolved to be great, abide by yourself, do not weakly try to reconcile yourself with the world. The heroic cannot be the common, nor the common be heroic.”

Each of those in that audience and many of you with us today has an “Archie” or “Mike.” Like Archie, they weren’t planning to be heroes. They didn’t think they were heroes, but their deeds proved otherwise. They showed their nobility through sacrifice for country and fellow man. In our country, nobility is not something born to, but rather, an honor we confer on them in recognition of their deeds.

Heroes don’t go to special schools, but they did grow up in privileged families—just like yours. Families led by parents, such as Arch and Eva…and you…who taught them by example how to make difficult decisions about what is right and wrong…and what they are willing to do about it…and, what they are willing to sacrifice for a cause or ideal that is bigger than they are.

One final thought I shared with them is that heroes haven’t all served in the military. We can find heroes all around us—if we just look.

Our Archie and our Navy LT Woodrow Michael Connors, who stayed with his jet and gave his life to protect El Paso, Texas civilians, are heroes to be sure. We also find heroes in our classrooms, underpaid and overburdened, educating the next generation of Americans. We find them in squad cars, risking their lives to keep us safe from crime. We find them in our emergency and social services organizations, sacrificing their free time while giving of themselves and their talents to serve the needs of others.

We can find heroes—God’s heroes all around us—and we should find them—and honor them. We should try to become more like them. America is full of nobility, if we just look for it.

Often, our hero’s deeds go unrecognized. However, this in no way lessens their nobility or their courage in sacrificing for something they believe in. My grandmother, I told the Gold Star Mothers, would quote the scripture telling us that the richest reward goes to those whose good deeds and good works are kept away from public display. If this is the case, we can be proud and thankful that so many of our citizens are laying up for themselves treasures in heaven. These Americans, like so many of you here today, are truly heroes and it doesn’t take a medal or a Congressional Resolution to prove it.
Unlike Emerson’s characterization, Grandma did not consciously resolve to be great. She became so in our eyes because she remained true to her beliefs and her faith–never reconciling herself with the world. She obeyed her own conscience; but she did so with a consummate grace that avoided offending others whose values differed from hers.

Grandma’s oldest grandchild, Kathryn McCluskey, wrote:  “When she was questioned about her childhood dreams and aspirations, Grandma said she had always wanted to be a missionary. She wasn’t able to go to Africa or South America when she grew up, so she opened a missionary station at her dining room table. After the dishes were done, her well-worn Bible would come out and the plan of salvation would be explained. One night when I was nine years old, the Holy Spirit joined us in Grandma’s dining room. It came over us in a rush and I couldn’t stop laughing and weeping at the same time. It was the most thrilling and vivid experience of my life.”

Grandma Eva had another quality that granddaughter, Miriam Connors McCarns pointed out: when she was with you, you had the feeling you were very special. In fact, if the truth be known, you thought you were her favorite. Thank you for that memory, Miriam.

So now, as Grandma’s favorite grandchild, I’ll conclude these remarks so the celebration can continue. Later, you’ll hear from my cousins, Gerry Connors and Claude Spink, who think that THEY were her favorites.

Come to think of it, she did bake an awful lot of ginger snaps for Gerry. And she did let Bruce drive the red Plymouth more than I did. And she seemed to give David more cinnamon buns. Of course, that’s how David got started in finance….counting the rolls in pans of cinnamon buns in Grandma’s kitchen. And now that I think of it, she sure spent a lot of time out in Idaho and Oregon with Kathryn. Clearly, I was a bit premature in thinking I was her favorite.

It wasn’t new or modern. But Eva Connors’ kitchen, her “office” really, was the center of the universe for her family for whom she fixed literally thousands of wonderful meals. What we would give if we could once again run up the back steps into her kitchen, be surrounded by those wonderful aromas, see those welcoming arms and hear her sing out, “Hi there, honey. So good to see you.”

Meanwhile, I know that each of you who knew and loved her are just as sure that YOU were her favorite. And you know what? You’re right! Some how, we all were.
We fed our spirits and souls with the warmth of her love for a blessedly long time. For that we will be thankful throughout our lives, no matter how long we live. We knew she would have to leave us one day. But we sure will miss Eva Haddock Connors, one of God’s very special…and irreplaceable heroes.