Print This PostHarvey died last Friday
Harvey Hatten died last Friday at the ripe old age of 87. In his casket were two items that signified to those of us left behind that freedom always has a price. An American flag folded at his head and a baseball cap with the words, “The Greatest Generation-World War II” , by his hand, reminded us that we had lost another hero.
I met Harvey Hatten when I made the almost daily trip to visit Rhonda at Lorien Nursing and Rehab in Taneytown. He occupied the room across the hall and two doors down. You never met Harvey when he was having a bad day. He already had plenty of those. Like the day in June of 1944 when he and the rest of his company went ashore in Normandy, France. D-Day. When you have lived through hell like that, been injured in the line of duty, survived Korea, and buried a spouse of 47 years, you know the difference between a “bad” day and a “BAD” day.
When I first met Harvey and looked into his clear, intelligent eyes framed by strong jaws and the same military crewcut he wore through his days in the Army, and later in the US Customs Service, you knew that you were in the presence of someone who knew how to laugh and cry and enjoy life on life’s terms. He had a way of finding out what you were made out of on the inside. You see, Harvey could hardly talk, so he communicated with his facial gestures and sounds. When ever Harvey and I made eye contact, one of us would automatically extend our closed fist toward the other and do a “fist bump”. When we touched hands, Harvey’s eyes would light up with joy and recognition and he would shout out with delight.
Harvey spent his last two years at Lorien and you can imagine the loss they all must feel. When Rhonda and I went to the viewing on Tuesday night, there must have been at least a dozen of the staff and aides and nurses there to pay their last respects to a gentle man who always had a smile and a fist ready to “bump”.
Today, at Helping Up Mission, I was thinking about the cost of freedom. There is always a cost. It cost Jesus his life. It cost God his son. And, it has cost countless lives around the world to keep us free from tyranny in many guises and forms. Some of us struggle on a daily basis with addictive personalities, mental imbalances, physical infirmities, and family struggles that don’t ever seem to get any better. Will we ever be truly free? I’ve got some good news and I’ve got some bad news. Since you’re reading and I’m writing, I’ll give you the bad news first. The price of freedom is conflict. The good news is it’s a conflict we can win. Just don’t expect to see peace and serenity without the shedding of blood.
From the very beginning, in the Garden of Eden, it took the shedding of blood. And when Jesus comes back He will be wearing a robe dipped in blood. Someone has wisely said that the history of the world is comprised of war, and the interludes between the next war. I don’t like war. The war in my mind, my spirit, my body, my soul. I don’t like conflict. But, I have learned that peace always has a price. That’s why today I fight for my sobriety and my serenity. I fight for the lives of others because I need all the allies in this battle I can get. I fight alongside other men and women who don’t like war, but who understand that the cost of peace is high. I fight for the principles and values that made this the greatest country the world has ever seen, and I will fight to keep those principles and values from being destroyed, by enemies without, or within.
On October 1, 2008, Harvey Hatten will be interred in Arlington Cemetery at 1 PM. I will be there. The next day I leave for Colorado and the Wild at Heart Boot Camp to join with a group of men who are learning to fight for their hearts and the hearts of others. Thanks to men and women like Harvey Hatten, I have that opportunity.
God Speed, Harvey. You are my hero.
”fist bump” and salute,
Harv
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Hi, Harvey! I love your writings! And I’m jealous that you’re going to Wild at Heart Bootcamp. Hope you find your heart and learn how to nurture it. We all need that. Eldredge has great insight. God bless! — Tim
September 3rd, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Wow, Harv. What a beautiful tribute to Harvey for all his family and friends to appreciate. Your voice shines through in your writing.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:07 am
I have to tell you my heart skipped a beat when I saw the title today. But, my next thought was, Harvey has died and is dying daily as am I. Then I read, I wept, and I rejoiced. Yes, keep writing. Your friends, and your mom would be disappointed if you gave this up. The journey continues, where it takes you next, only He knows. I was left with these words this morning from my time with Him. Waiting, trusting, hoping!
September 4th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful man. Harvey Hatten touched me more than any other resident at Lorien when I was there just by his sheer joy. I don’t think I ever saw him when he wasn’t laughing or smiling. I believe he was truely a great man. Thanks Harvey for what you wrote. This site is awesome because of what you have to share.