The life of Alfred J. Therrien, celebrated at an inspiring funeral Mass yesterday, reminded me of how one person's life can impact so many others and how God's plan along with human determination and effort can result in something so beautiful that words cannot describe it. On September 30, 1944, a mine exploded on a hill in Southern France killing one American and wounding Alfred, just a few feet away. The explosion took one eye completely and left the other with only slight vision, yet he was alive. His impairment did not stop him and upon returning to the United States, he went to St. Norbert's College and completed his four year degree with the help of a "reader" who became his closest friend. He married, had three wonderful daughters and became the grandfather of 10 exceptionally gifted grandchildren. Had he been a few inches closer to that explosion, none of this would have come about. His strong personality and convictions, his faith, and his formula for a happy life, were passed on to his children. I saw them alive and well in two of his grandsons who graduated from Central Catholic with whom I am very close.
We are today, the results of similar stories, of people who made us who we are through their struggles, their determination. Indeed this whole country was founded by stalwart men and women whose convictions led them to break away from the familiar, enter a new land, and overcome obstacle after obstacle to live in freedom. On Thanksgiving, we will remember the Pilgrims and the First Thanksgiving as well as the many since, not always celebrated in peaceful times, but always a reminder that despite the current situations, there are those who came before us and showed us that no matter what, we can and must move forward to LIVE! Let us give thanks for them build on their legacy
Bro. Rene
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