There are many ways to give

One of the photos Commander Disy took of the Benfold flying the Taylor boys’ names on their halyards

Note from Cyn: Tru wrote this in response to an email discussion he’s had with Commander Thomas C. Disy – a reader of the blog and someone who wanted to do something special for the Taylors. Here’s his story:

The World is a really small place…

Somewhere out in the Persian Gulf, there are guided-missile destroyers, patrolling and conducting missions. We forget sometimes that men and women are aboard these modern machines are very far from home, doing God knows what kind of work that is not of their design, but their sworn duty to carry out. We do not know much about them, unless we’re one of their relatives, or close personal friend. They’re not gone for a few weeks, but for months at a time, missing much of what we have here, which for most who read this blog is centered on entertainment, and enjoyment.

From what my uncles saw in World War II, contrasted with today, the globe is wired in ways we can only begin to imagine. News from here, reaching thousands of people at sea is a lot easier these days, but even though communications and access is a marvel, it is not, cannot be the same. There is no spontaneity, or ability to react to the moment. And
it is no small thing to realize that news of here, aside from the personal, is usually on a much larger scale. The goings on at town hall do not occupy those headlines.

So it comes that one such ship, the USS Benfold, who is under the command of a guy, who keeps in touch with things large and small, beyond the hazards of caring for his crew and ship. Tom Disy is one wired in, one hell of a guy. A New England kind of guy. A Red Sox kind of guy. Tom reads baseball blogs. He reads the Red Sox Chick blog.

And maybe he does not write responses to the usual wonderings and opinions of Cyn, but he did take the time to note others in need. Amid all that is going on in his own, danger filled world right now, he took the time to step up and help towards the healing of some kids out in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is the kind of quiet willingness that seems the essence of the Benfold’s motto, ‘Onward with Valor!’ It is the stuff of goodness, and kindness and understanding, from a guy who wants these kids to know they’re going to be all right, and they will heal, and grow and hopefully become what their father might have hoped for.

In the few exchanges of email with Commander Thomas C. Disy, it comes across in rather clear, simple, but elegant terms that as a father, he understands what being separated from his son means, even if for him it is temporary. His six year old son has to wait until November until he sees his dad again. Our friends in Utah do not have that ability, but
they have something in Tom Disy, a guy who on the other side of the world says, I hear you, and sends his warmth and comforting message to keep hope and grow strong to become what your father hopes you will be.

So for James W. Taylor, Jr., and his sons Mason, Weston and Jackson, the USS Benfold honored all of you, by raising the names of the Taylor boys on their halyards. It is a breathtaking sight, and some kind of wonderful that is a compelling testament to the idea that people are caring and involved, no matter where they are, or what’s going on around them.

A close-up of the flags!