I recently completed the Fire Tower Challenge, having summited twenty nine fire tower mountains in the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains. In addition to discovering that I am the namesake for Raymond Stephenson, a heroic B-17 pilot who gave his life for his country in WWII. I learned recently that more than 75 years ago, he too was recognized for at least one fire tower ascent.
Some time ago, I stopped referring to many of the revelations in this story as coincidences. I am reminded of the words of Mrs. Finn, whose husband was a WWII Navy pilot, who told me at a book signing event, There are no coincidences. Just small miracles for which God has not been given credit.
I am grateful to Steve Shaffer of Ironton, Ohio for sharing Raymond’s New Castle Lookout Tower certificate with me.
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