George A. Heifner (April 19, 1927 – April 2, 2010)
To the Editor:
For almost 20 years George Heifner was a friend of mine. Today, looking back on those years, I realize that for me, they were even more special because of that friendship.
I did not have the pleasure of knowing George during his reportedly wild youth, or during his rising career within the Marines, or even while he was a locally elected public official. I will have to leave those parts of his remarkable life for others to chronicle. But perhaps one of the most compelling reasons for the development of what later was to became a strong friendship, was simply the fact that George was a real and proud American. A real American who believed, and nearly gave his life to defend and preserve, the lofty principles this nation was founded upon. George was an American hero who stood during the playing of the National Anthem, was respectful in the presence of his flag, and always attended and supported those who worked to honor our Military. George believed that for too many, the principles guiding his life and those he held sacred, remained yet unlearned or simply taken for granted by many of today’s U.S. citizens. And that lack of knowledge or understanding was putting those principles and his nation at risk.
George was an American. One of only a few who learned very early in life that through a mere accident of birth, he had won life’s greatest lottery by being born an American. His second great lottery win was capturing the enduring affections of his wonderful partner, Maxine. And for the rest of his life, he had celebrated both.
George Heifner was a friend of mine. He was my longtime Red Apple Mini-Breakfast companion and golf partner. He was my golf swing trainer and frequent critic of my golf cart driving skills. When the Belleville-Area Independent arrived on the scene, George became a photographer and a little later I was able to boast that I was serviced by Belleville’s oldest paper boy. And during those few years when I found myself in the unenviable position of serving as Mayor of Belleville, George was always present at those pesky Council meetings and would rise in my defense while I was being thrashed about the head by political critics.
I enjoyed George’s friendship but on occasion it became necessary for me to travel some distance for that pleasure. When he and Maxine moved to Phoenix, I visited the Heifners there for my much-needed George fixes. On one of those visits, I recall sitting with George and Maxine at 1 a.m. on their beautiful covered patio enjoying the wonderful 102 degree Southwest evening breezes. Still later, I followed their move east and on occasion boarded with George at his new South Carolina home. There, I enjoyed observing just some of the well-deserved perks our nation justifiably bestows on its retired Marine Sergeant Majors in appreciation of their lifetime of service to our country. This point is well illustrated by his well-deserved unlimited access to Fort Jackson and its two golf courses. As a former Army PFC myself, I was even more impressed with his VIP status and the “Sergeant Major Only” reserved parking space he was provided next to the Club House. Of course, Maxine’s French Dips were another of George’s lifetime perks gratefully extended to their frequent guests.
George only rarely invested in long-winded philosophical observations of our society. However during one of those rare moments, he surprised me with a rhetorical question: He asked me which if any present American politician would have been invited by George Washington, John Adams or Ben Franklin to engage in a discussion of today’s American drift toward Socialism. After several moments, George suggested that while many of our present politicians certainly shared some of the negative personal shortcomings of these founders, very few of today’s “ruling” political class, are possessed of the vision of America held by our founders. George opined that Washington, Adams and Franklin would have rejected any such meeting with most of today’s politicians in favor of reading a good history book. George loved America and he loved the reason for its remarkable success: Its Constitution.
In retrospect, it is my opinion that to a large extent George’s life truly represented a living reminder and clear demonstration that Americans do not seem to work hard enough at understanding what great blessings they have been gifted. We spoke of this often. George often remarked that citizens of our nation today are guilty of that failing by not understanding or appreciating the wonderful and remarkable good fortune to befall them upon by being a part of this nation.
George knew that. George lived it. And George celebrated that good fortune every day. He was, and remained at heart, a Southern Gentleman from the hills of Tennessee who possessed immense goodwill, abundant good cheer, a positive attitude over-flowing with American spirit. George Heifner was indeed an American. And that is about the greatest compliment one could have ever favored him with. I will miss you, Geo.
Semper Fi
Dennis G. Fassett
Belleville