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Several stories by Scotty's
Fans
Talking to a True American Hero By Staff Sgt. Bob Pullen - 5th CCG PA As I arrived at the Atlanta airport last Sunday I was returning from a two week TDY to Tinker AFB, Okla., and I was not looking forward to the two hour shuttle ride back to Robins. I collected my luggage and made my way to the parking area where hopefully my ride would be waiting. When I made it to the limousine I saw a man I had seen hundreds of times in the newspapers and on television in middle Georgia. Standing next to the limo was retired Brig. Gen. Robert L. Scott Jr., a true American hero. Even after traveling the 90 year-old Gen. Scott seemed to have the energy and zest for life of a man half his age. As I took my seat beside him I nervously introduced myself and asked him where he had been. Before we were even out of the airport parking lot Gen. Scott started the first of his many stories he would tell during the trip. He was returning from a reunion of fighter aces in Texas. For the next two hours Gen. Scott told stories of growing up in Macon--about leaving home at the young age of 14 to join the merchant marines where in his own words he "went around the world." He recalled names and dates and places as if they were only days ago instead of decades ago. He talked mostly about the three things he loved the most, his wife, his service to his country and flying. In one story he told of how he finally won his wife's heart by flying each week around the water tower in the center of the town of Ft. Valley and opening the window of his plane and dropping a letter into the Town Square. On the envelope he asked whoever found it to please deliver it to the address he had written on the outside. "I wasn't the most handsome or rich beau she had courting her, but I had the best form of transportation," Gen. Scott said. At a book signing decades later he met a man in his sixties who told him that as a child in Ft. Valley he had served as one of the general's "special deliverers." As I listened to him I couldn't help feel pride at serving in the Air Force. He loved his job and his place in history -- a history that is so richly documented on the walls and displays of the Museum of Aviation. The names of people he knew or had met in his nine decades of life sounded like the glossary of a history book. Names like Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Hap Arnold, Clark Gable and Winston Churchill were scattered throughout his stories. He spoke of driving Dwight Eisenhower and his wife Mamie around in his Cadillac as if it were no big deal. All these people had experienced the same pleasure I was now experiencing -- spending time talking and listening to a true hero. There aren't many of those around anymore. In a time when heroes are judged by the number of Academy Awards they've won or how many millions of dollars their latest sneaker contracts were for, it was refreshing to be talking to a real hero who did everything he did, not for money or fame, but for the true love of his country. The stories he told were of famous people and far away places like the Great Wall of China where he walked the entire length of the wall with homemade oatmeal cookies in his back pack that he handed out on his journey. He has shot down enemy planes, he has carried the Olympic torch, he has written 14 books and had a movie made about him, but he still took the time to talk to a staff sergeant as if he had known me all his life. And when he asked questions of me, he listened to what I had to say as if my stories were just as interesting to him as his stories were to me. I wish everyone in this country, especially those who wear the uniform, could have the chance to do what I was lucky enough to do last Sunday. If listening to Gen. Scott didn't make a person proud of the people who have shaped this country's history, including him, and proud to be an American, then they don't deserve to live here. As the limo pulled into the general's driveway, we all got out to help him with his luggage. He adamantly refused our help and snatched his luggage up with the enthusiasm of a teenager as he headed off for his front door. When I got back into the car it seemed very quiet. I realized then that I had just experienced a chance to talk to living history. I can't remember ever being that in awe after talking to anyone. That was the shortest two-hour drive I've ever had from Atlanta. Thanks to fan club member Staff Sgt. Bob Pullen for giving us permission to use this article printed in the "Robins Rev-Up" (The Robins Air Force Base Newspaper). Staff Sgt. Pullen also hosts the weekly TV show "Robins Report". Thanks Again Bob! What a great story! Keep on reading... It wasn't about money.... I was 14 years old and had watched God Is My Co-pilot so many times that my mother was a bit worried. I penned a letter to Gen. Scott then decided against sending it (this was in the 60s). My mother found it, got his new address from the Macon,GA chamber of commerce and sent it with a check for $2.00 asking him to send an autographed picture back to me. He wrote me a beautiful personal letter in response, included some photo's and told me that he would place me on the contributor list for his new book God Is Still My Co-pilot and have the publisher send me a copy. He was true to his word. The hard bound book arrived with my name in it several weeks later. He never cashed the check. Truly a marvelous gentleman! Not many would have taken the time to answer and then follow up on his word. Wish we had more people like him. John Maddaus We agree! General Scott has inspired many people... read on!
A Success Story! You lucky guys! I too grew up dreaming of planes and devouring everything I could read about WWII fighter pilots. My father served in the Army Air Corps and I thought the world of him. One of the first books I read was "God is My Copilot". I was not able to put the book down until I read it cover to cover. I built a P-40 model with the sharmouth on it. What a thrill it must be to actually know Gen. Scott. He truly is a hero that we can all look up to and be inspired by. I know he inspired me with his writing. I went on to be an aeronautical engineer and now work for NASA. Thanks for the photos and book section of your web page. It was great to learn that Gen. Scott is still with us. I wish him the best and my heartful thanks for serving our country with such distinction.
Thomas A. Griffin Another good reason why we have this website!
If you have a great story to tell about
Mission Page: Tells you what our purpose for the web page is. History Page: The beginning of the RLSFCA God Is My Co-Pilot: Gen. Scott's story Books: List of books Gen. Scott has written Photos: Lots of photos from early days til now! Fan Club Info: Information on how you can join--it's FREE! MESSAGE BOARD--leave your comments, stories, and answer our trivia questions Guestbook: Don't forget to sign the Guestbook! Links: Some great links we know you'll enjoy! (a work in progress) |
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Talking to a True American
Hero - by Staff Sgt. Bob Pullen