Donald “Cy” Kretzer was born on July 25, 1921, in Keedysville, Maryland, and left this shore for another on June 5, 2010.
“Cy,” as all his friends called him, was a most popular guy in Sharpsburg where he lived.
On this Veteran’s Day, I also remember that he served his country proudly during World War II in the South Pacific. He was most patriotic and always enjoyed those celebrations of Memorial and Veteran’s Day in that little country town of Sharpsburg.
As I think of Cy’s life, and his many contributions to our community and country, I remember Tom Brokaw’s description of “The Greatest Generation,” or those born between 1901-1924, in his popular 1998 book.
Brokaw defined them as “the generation of American citizens who came of age during the deep deprivation of the Great Depression, went on to fight or support the home front during World War II and then returned to build modern day America.”
Cy Kretzer was a valued member of that greatest generation!
When I think too of that time, I am forever in debt to Cy and the many others from that era who confronted so many obstacles and with true grit laid a strong foundation for the soul of America.
During the first of June 2010, a few days before Cy died at his home, I had a visit with him. He told me he was not doing too well and felt his time was near. “When you get to where you’re going,” I said gently, “would ya do me a favor?“
“What sort of favor could I do for you Pete?“
“A simple one,” I responded. “Save me a seat.” He smiled. Cy was always proud of his son, Mike, and me, some kid from Dargan, as we were good pals.
He was most fond too of his wife Missy; daughter, Becky; and son, Mark, as well as others of his extended family. He held them all in high esteem.
Many folks near and far called him “friend.”
A few days after my visit, Cy left this world for another.
Sometimes in life, God will present you with a great privilege to do something noble.
Cy’s family asked me if I would give part of Cy’s eulogy.
I was humbled.
How could I honor such a proud and giving human being?
As I stood before the packed church on the corner of Sharpsburg, I compared my friend Cy to Captain Kirk of “Star Trek,” Mother Teresa and Winston Churchill; the crowd looked a bit puzzled!
Capt. James T. Kirk of “Star Trek” was Captain of the Enterprise space ship on tv, he and his crew explored strange new worlds, I told them.
As a school bus driver, Cy did the very same thing. He drove his bus down to Dargan and picked up us kids for school. Dargan, for sure, was a strange new world for him, but he “boldly” went there anyway!
The attendees all laughed.
He reminded me too of Mother Teresa, I told the crowd.
Cy was always concerned about other people. He operated Kretzer’s market for some 43 years greeting people with a smile, providing goods for families and extending credit to many poor folks from Dargan and beyond. The elderly and kids were most important. He extended credit to many who failed to pay him back.
Cy had a love for people, his community and his country.
Mother Teresa once reminded the world, “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.”
Cy Kretzer did a lot of small things with great love.
You are here this morning because Cy loved you.
And finally, Cy reminded me of Winston Churchill, as I collected a few tears in my eyes.
One of my favorite quotes by Churchill suggests, “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.”
My friend, Cy Kretzer, made a beautiful life, and for those who watched him, he gave us so very much.
I read once that “when a love one becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure.”
From this day forward, in our memories, Cy Kretzer will always be a treasure to each of us.
Cy has left this seaside harbor on a ship with large white sails. And although we have lost sight of his ship on the horizon, he has been greeted on another shore by friends and soldiers gone before him.
Your life is a gift from the Creator ~ your gift back to the Creator is what you do with your life.
God must be pretty happy with Cy’s gift.
I know, for sure, Cy will save us a seat!
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