Friday, May 17, 2019. 2:00 PM Lawton, Oklahoma.
The crowded waiting room of a cowboy-themed steerburger and barbecue restaurant off Oklahoma route 115
I stand with 12 80-year-old World Two veterans. Their wives, relatives, admirers, waiting to be seated for their annual Reunion Lunch of the 95th Infantry.
“Molly, Molly. Please seat the Wells. “ (Potbellied manager at the doorway to the dining room) Lingler, Lingler part of two. Well get you inside. just a minute…
Yes, Yes.. Sorry sir. We checked again We have no reservation for your group. I know you said your hotel called it in, but I’ve got nothing in my book.”
15 minutes earlier, we pulled off the dusty highway, parked in front of the adobe restaurant. Everyone excited.
“I'm gonna have the cobbler.” “ I'm gonna have that famous hamburger as big as a plate.” “I am getting myself some barbecue. “
Off the bus up a few stairs to the front door.
“Watch your step, Dad.” “Hell, Tony and I went through the Battle of Metz, we know what we’re doing”.
Now we’re in the waiting room. 10 minutes. Antsy. .
“I’m sorry Sir, It is Friday Lunch. Our busiest time. Look through the doorway our restaurants packed. You come here with 38 people - wheel chairs and walkers – We have no place to put you.
You're just gonna have to find someplace else to eat. Sorry, sorry. Linglers - ready for you now.”
“Veterans” - (group leader retired Brigadier General Jim Archer) It’s just like the army, There’s been a SNAFU. They’ve lost our reservation.”
“Wha…? “Oh no.. “No..”
“Now it’s okay.. It’s okay. We’re .. we’re going to find another restaurant and have our luncheon. It’ll be fine.”
“Okay, Ninety-Fivers.” says his Aide-de-camp Terry “Back on the bus.”
“ What's happening? “It's okay, Mary, let's do what the general says. (Damn walker doesn't wanna turn around)”
They shuffle towards the door, they all move out,
Not me. Not me.
I push past the manager to the doorway of the dining room.
“Hello? Hello. Excu…. Excuse me.. All of you eating your lunches…. Sorry to disturb..”
(Faces looking up.)
“These men behind me, They're World War Two veterans of the 95th Infantry.
You're here eating your lunches in peace today because 75 years ago, they and their friends were freezing and dying in the mud of Northern France.
Now this restaurant has LOST the reservation for their Reunion luncheon. I see empty seats at some tables so maybe you could break up your parties invite a stranger to sit down clear some room and strangers if you sit down with them…”
“….SIR.. SIR… YOU CAN’T YOU CAN’T …..”
“…NO. ‘ NO’ to you. ‘YES’ to them… ….If you could clear a few tables they could have one more meal with their friends ….. ?“
And the people in the restaurant get up and they move.
Then they turn to the old men and they applaud.
