On June 10, 2007, we lost an amazing individual who warmly welcomed visitors to the Washington, DC area with a smile and a hug, welcoming them back. His bright smile and kind heart for those less fortunate then him warmed visitors to this area for over thirty years. George Davis, a Navy veteran who served proudly aboard the Shangri La, during the Vietnam War (68’-70) as an aircraft mechanic ensuring those who flew bombing raids over land were able to return back safely with equipment in check. He also served aboard the USS Independence (70-72). America lost a patriotic American, and the Veteran’s community lost a friend who left us suddenly that fateful evening.
Like many veterans of the Vietnam War, George had his ailments, but never sought benefits from the Veterans Administration, to proud to ask for something that he was due. To meet George, you would never know he had been diagnosed with diabetes fourteen years ago, because he never complained about not being able to have those luscious donuts or sweet cakes. After the diabetes triggered a stroke in 1999, which left him with little use of his left arm, he never stopped or wavered. He continued working as the General Manager of the legendary MacArthur’s Café, (now a Ledo’s Pizza), located inside the Quality Inn Iwo Jima Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. Over the years, thousands of tour groups filled with students, senior citizens, and families filled his restaurant as they came to experience the legacy of America. His guidance and directions saved many a visitor from a bad experience while on vacation to the Nation’s Capitol.
Two groups gave George the most satisfaction above all others, the first was that of the military reunions that brought back his fellow Veterans year after year to enjoy George’s hospitality. During their stay, after a day of touring the various monuments and museums in the area, they would join him at the bar, laughing, and sharing stories of the past. On many occasions, I laughed and cried with them as I listened to the truth, the white lies, and jokes within their stories. Through George and his fellow veterans, I began to understand who these men were during a time of war. They were once young, high-spirited warriors, now they are gaining speed towards retirement.
The second group was just as important to him; they were the family members of a fellow veteran who was being intern in a place of honor, Arlington Cemetery. Located behind the Marine Corps Iwo Jima Memorial, hence its name, and not far from Arlington Cemetery received one family a day who was attending a funeral for a loved one.
Throughout my travels, I have come across many people who have come to Arlington to bury a family member at Arlington Cemetery and listened to their stories about a man with a gentle heart and a passion for those who served. A man who helped ease their pain, as they grieved for a spouse or family member that they came to bury on that trip. Although they could not remember his name, in that moment, they never ever forgot his kindness. That man was George Davis. I could not help but chuckle as I mentioned his name and described him to the person standing before me only to see their eyes began to sparkle at remembering how kind he was to them in their time of grief. “Yes, that’s him” they would reply with excitement. “Do you know him?” they would ask enthusiastically. I laughed as I told them how I knew this special man they spoke so fondly about.
George’s passion for those who served was not only for those who visited the area from out of town, his passion even reached to those in the streets of Washington, DC– the homeless veterans. Throughout his lifetime, George often took care of those less fortunate than the rest of us by helping the homeless veterans throughout the Washington, DC area. Those he helped leave the streets and regain perspective in society have felt his loss the hardest. He was their strength, their mentor, and their confidant.
Continued in Part 2: Fight For VA Benefits
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