I salute you, Al
I just returned from a wonderful dinner with Al Autrey, one of the best friends I’ve ever had. Al was a year ahead of me in high school and we’ve been close ever since.
Al is a doctor who specializes in emergency room medicine. Seven years ago, after a year of soul-searching following 9-11, Al enlisted in the military to help develop medically-related protocols and strategies to keep our country safe. He routinely puts in 14 to 15 hours a day and may yet be deployed to Iraq.
He didn’t have to do any of this. He could have had a nice, predictable, comfortable life making a whole lot more money as a civilian doctor. But he felt called to do what he could to help his country.
On top of that, he has had to deal with difficult and dramatic family situations pretty much all his life. He has regularly faced situations that would have laid me out flat, yet he has never failed to respond with anything other than patience, love, compassion and integrity.
Al Autrey is a man of honor. He is humble and selfless in a very healthy and admirable way. I am in awe of Al. I am not exaggerating when I say I wouldn’t last three minutes in his world.
Al is one of the quiet heroes you never hear about, the kind of man the world is in desperate need of.
I am honored to know Al and I am proud to call him my friend. He inspires me to be a better man.
When you meet your friend on the roadside or in the market place, let the spirit in you move your lips and direct your tongue.
Let the voice within your voice speak to the ear of his ear;
For his soul will keep the truth of your heart as the taste of the wine is remembered
When the colour is forgotten and the vessel is no more.
Kahlil Gibran
ABOUT PHIL BOLSTA
Phil is the author of Through God’s Eyes: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Troubled World, a comprehensive guide to living a spiritual life. Who will benefit from reading it?
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Tags: Al Autrey, friend, honor, integrity, military service, selflessness
December 18, 2009 at 8:11 PM
for Al Autrey and all the countless, silent people like him in the world, may God bless you and watch over you as you go about fulfilling your self-appointed missions. Your work and memory will live on in the people you will have helped along the way, who will witness for you when the Day comes.
December 18, 2009 at 11:51 PM
True that, ArrVee—even though most of those people won’t realize who it is that has helped protect them and make possible their freedom.