By Atty. Antonio P. Pekas
I was glued to CNN the other night when the announcer said that Robert De Niro, the great actor who can do great acting in any situation even on top of a needle, went to the UN to bat for funds to restore a tiny island in the Caribbean whose improvements – homes, schools, hospitals, etc. – were all destroyed or practically erased by the recent category 5 Hurricane Irma.
The name of the island escapes me as it was not as popular as the other islands there known for their being tax havens such as the Cayman Islands. It must have been a popular tourist destination where the well heeled in Hollywood and the top honchos of big US corporations would spend a few days to decompress.
Now it has a new claim to fame—Robert De Niro is working for its restoration and as the actor said—the children have to go back to school and their health must be taken care of.
Robert De Niro became popular after winning the Oscar for Best Actor in the mid 70s for his lead role in The Deer Hunter. In his role as a young Vietnam veteran, he had to go back to that war torn country after the Americans left with their tail between their hind legs. He found his drug addicted friend playing Russian Roulette where bets were cast for the guy who would survive the Revolver loaded with one bullet and pointed to the temple of the player who would pull the trigger. The survivor was the winner.
The operator of that den by the river had a beautiful Jaguar XK 120 convertible. It was a muli-million worth of a car which contrasted well with the dirt poor conditions of Vietnam during that period.
Now, Robert De Niro in real life is helping the down trodden in the Caribbean.
Another star who is doing something for the Caribbean is Tim Duncan who traces his roots in the Virgin Islands. About 20 years ago, he burst into the NBA scene as a young 22 year old player for the San Antonio Spurs. He was voted the MVP of that season. He just retired the other season, obviously a multi millionaire.
Just after Hurricane Irma, he committed to match any donation for the restoration of the Virgin Islands which was as devastated as the other islands in the Caribbean.
Then there were these two small kids who were left stranded in one of those islands when the howling of Hurricane Irma stopped. They were distraught, having lost everything except their clothes on their backs. They wanted to go and see their mother who was waiting for them in the US, but how? There were no transportation for them and everybody was just thinking of survival. Going to the US was beyond their wildest dreams.
Somehow, the news about the two kids filtered out. Then out of nowhere, a private jet roared into the airspace above them. It somehow landed and was able to pick up the two kids and got reunited with their mom in the US.
Who owned the jet? That was the big question. The owner wanted to remain anonymous but before any flight takes off in civilized parts of the world, some forms would have to be filled up and the crew and the registration of the plane must be identified.
And CNN, having smelled a very good story, a feel good one at that, persevered and was able to find out who owned the jet and who spent to get the two kids out from their devastated island. It was owned by popular country singer Kenny Chesney.
These are just a few examples of late to show that it is good deeds that make people forever be remembered or that propel them to greatness, not riches or material possessions.
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