THE HONOR PRINCIPLE
To experience the privilege of being honored it is best to first honor others.
Today it is a privilege to honor Walter Willis King. Walt is Susie’s dad.
December 7, 1941 began just like most days for Americans. Walt rose early to prepare for work. He held his 22 day-year-old Susie in his arms and kissed her goodbye, and said, “See you soon!”
The King’s family and all of America changed that dreadful day when Japan decimated our Naval Ships at Pearl Harbor.
Soon Walt King would be in the South Pacific. For nearly four years Captain King led an artillery team. Susie lost her daddy for 4 long, scary years.
King’s ship was sunk. He lived in a foxhole for 76 days; 73 days longer than supplies lasted. He came home a very sick, lasting a lifetime.
Walt never forgot the days of the Great Depression. He rode the trains as a teen with hundreds of men looking for work.
Early life was tough. He attended 13 different high schools yet still graduated Valedictorian with a 4.0.
Walt never wanted to be flat broke again. After the war, for 16 years, Susie’s Dad delivered rural mail 6 days a week.
From 4pm until midnight he worked as a shift leader 40 hours a week at a lumber mill until he had enough money to buy the Coeur d’ Alene business. All the while working his postal service job; in 32 years he never missed a day of work.
Walt made it crystal clear when Susie said yes to marriage I was never to ask for money. He loved his daughter but now she was mine. All mine, I might add, to my delight, even to this day.
It took time for Walt and me to become best friends. I remember sitting on a small porch on a hot day In San Bernardino, California.
We were drinking root-beer floats. We both liked Hires brand the best. The conversation was as good as the floats. Simple pleasures like this made Walt and me great friends.
I loved Walt King. He was a good man. A mentor to me in many ways. He is the father of my amazing, truly remarkable Wife and the papa my two children adored and loved.
Thankfully I never had to ask him for money. He graciously offered to loan us $1200 dollars for the down payment for our first home. We paid it back in full at $25 a month.
The honor principle is not the reason I have honored Walter Willis King today. Honoring others is a good thing. If we honor to get honored the real joy of honoring is lost.
Honoring Walt is my reward. I have wonderful feelings of love and appreciation for my father-in-law, my mentor, and my friend.
Walter Willis King is one of the millions who gave so much to give us this day to be free and to live life fully. These soldiers deserve to be honored.
It is good to honor others. Honor produces honor. No wonder the only one of the 10 commandments that promises a blessing is to honor father and mother.
This motivates me to honor people today and every day.
“Let us consider how we can stimulate others to love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. – Exodus 20:12
