His son's eulogy is up, and worth a read.
But it reminded me of when I met him, installing a firewall at Chaos Manor. He was a great story teller, and was reminiscing about when he had gone to Greece. They drove to the ancient battle site of Thermopolae, which is today a super highway. They stopped at the turn out to visit the site, which had the usual array of multi-lingual signs telling the tale of the battle.
But he said that something was wrong. He remembered his classical education, and how in the tale the 300 made their final stand against the Persian host on a low hill. There was no hill.
Looking around, he spotted a low hill across the motorway. Crossing the super highway, he walked to the hill and climbed it. There he found a simple stone plaque with an inscription only in Greek. It was the location of the battle, but marked only for the locals. And visitors educated, smart, and determined enough.
So if you ever go to Thermopolae, remember this story. If you go to that hill, tell the 300 that Jerry sent you.
3 comments:
Thank you! Planning to go to Thermopylae next year as a matter of fact.
Also, thanks for letting Ms. Brigid guest post here. Love how both of you make me think and re-think things.
Yep, been there, and it's another 'oddity' of Greek tourism. I would not have known, had we not been with a Greek Air Force pilot, who took us to the right place.
Thank you, Harvey, and thank you Borepatch. Jerry always made me ponder and think. He is one of those people I wish I had met off-blog for a quiet conversation and a cold adult beverage. He will be dearly missed.
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