Dick Mitchell enjoys a coffee break. (Gene O. Morris/McCook Daily Gazette) [Click to enlarge]

One of McCook's most beloved merchants is leaving one era behind and is preparing to embark on another.

I'm talking about the dean of downtown retailers, Dick Mitchell. After more than a quarter of a century as the owner-operator of McCook's Ben Franklin Store, Dick is looking for a new way to serve. "Know of any good jobs?" he asked Friday.

Dick had a twinkle in his eye when he said it, but I still sensed he would be open to a new opportunity in the retail trade.

After closing out his Ben Franklin business, it will be hard for Dick to sit still. He's a man of action and a friend to a multitude of customers and acquaintances in the McCook area.

"He has a heart of gold," said Paul Wood, who coffees with Dick on an almost daily basis. "He has helped a lot of people out over the years, in fact, many more than we will ever know about."

Paul should know. When Dick first took over the Ben Franklin store in 1978, Paul was a high schooler and worked part-time sweeping out the store. "Dick was always good to me, and, over the years, he has helped out hundreds -- if not thousands -- of other people in the McCook area," Paul said.

Larry Eisenmenger, another coffee buddy of Dick's, agrees, "Dick's the last of a dying breed. He comes from a past era when a handshake was all you needed to seal a deal. No one will ever know all the people Dick has helped."

The praise goes on and on. Jason Frederick of the Hitchcock County News wrote in a glowing tribute to Dick: "He is one of the true gems of Southwest Nebraska. He cares for the community, the people and his customers like they were his own family."

Besides being a great guy, Dick Mitchell is known throughout the McCook community for his late night hours and his willingness to discuss any subject. "When he was on the council, I called him 'Count Dracula' because the later the hour, the more animated he became," said Phil Lyons. Dick continued to thrive as the night wore on. "He often came in for a cup of coffee and conversation between 3 and 4 in the morning," said Val Fuller at Fuller's Family Restaurant.

"A good friend ... a wonderful guy ... a credit to the community ... ," are among the many compliments shared by Dick's friends. Johnny Walker, Mitch Lyster, Ron Crowe, Gary Wiemers and Gary Power joined Paul, Larry and Phil in the chorus of compliments for the McCook's Dean of Retailers, Dick Mitchell.

"I just wished my Dad (Dal Wood) could have been here to give you a few choice comments. Dick and Dad had a lot of fun kidding each other over the years," said Paul Wood.

But, time goes by. One era ends. Another begins. And, speaking of that, if anyone needs a top-notch retail staff member, give Dick a call. If we're lucky, we might just be able to get him to stay in McCook.

A War Hero Remembered

When we hear about the Marines' epic battles of World War II, Iwo Jima and Tarawa are most often mentioned. But in the opinion of the Rev. Sam Williams, a Marine historian, the Battle of Peleliu was just as important in securing victory for the United States.

Father Williams, the pastor at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, knows about Peleliu for two reasons. He's read about it, but, more important, he spent time talking about the battle with Ray Stramel, a World War II Marine officer who led a machine gun platoon's attack on "The Point" at Peleliu.

The attack took place Sept. 15, 1944. Two hundred thirty five men from K Co., 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment went ashore. Japanese troops, entrenched in coral caves, cut them to shreds. Of the 235 men who went ashore with 1st Lt. Stramel, only 78 escaped being killed or wounded. Even so, Lt. Stramel was able to rally his troops and capture "The Point," which was a concrete structure containing four reinforced Japanese pill boxes.

By the time the machine gun fire ended, 500 Japanese lay dead on the battlefield, and Lt. Stramel was able to reunite K Co. with other members of the First Marine Division.

After the war, Ray Stramel returned to McCook to spend the final 51 years of his life. He was a hero, but like other members of the Greatest Generation, he rarely spoke of his wartime valor.

"He was a giant ... a true giant ... in every sense of the word," Father Williams said. We owe him, and other members of the Greatest Generation, a lasting debt of gratitude.