RIP LCDR Bernard M Hillman. 1924-2023

My dear friend, Anna Hillman, who has done so much to support my writing, including being part of my inner circle of readers and carrying my books down to Hemingway House in Key West for photo ops (she appears as a college counselor in the end of FJM for her troubles), lost her father yesterday.

His name was Bernard Maurice Hillman.

I knew she had been an integral part of her family members caring for him in his later years, and that in itself is a herculean task.

When she shared his old school, deep sea diver photo, I knew this was a man with cojones.

He bore a resemblance to another old school, larger than life character, Howard Hughes.

But when Anna shared the following official citation letter, that he received from Admiral Nimitz no less, I knew this man was an old school, all-American hero. That letter appears below:

Here’s an article that describes the event:

JFK rode a comparable act to the White House.

As a fiction writer, I can and have caused my characters to do heroic things. I do it to entertain and inspire.

However, our world needs real heroes. Especially now.

Bernard Hillman has reminded me that there are real heroes out there – in the military and among our first responders – who go out there every day and lay their lives on the line for one reason, and one reason alone – to protect and save others. Us.

We must commemorate our real heroes whenever we can.

So, Lieutenant Commander Bernard Maurice Hillman, who lived almost a full century on this energy plain, thank you for your service. The world was better because you were in it.

You are the flesh-and-blood embodiment of the ideal of a hero.

My prayers are with you and Anna, and the rest of your family.

God bless. God speed.

Well, I got a lot of my chores done yesterday, including taking and stacking the bales of hay. So, I’m knackered.

Today will be spent taking care of family paperwork that needs tending to.

I’d rather stack hay bales.

You fine, five readers try to follow the Lord’s instructions and make today one of rest. Share a meal. Hug a family member.

If you know a hero, reach out and thank them for their service, up close and personal. They deserve to hear it directly.

I’ve got to go cuddle some kitties and do my rounds.

Let us all make today a great one.