Devotional — The Intentional Life Plan 7 – Hold to Your Purpose — 10 Days to Identity, Resilience, and a Life That Lasts

What’s the Bible say about love? — Part 1: God’s love for you

August 23, 2026

August 21, 1946 — Phil leads honor guard for Eisenhower and “Monty”

Published by WaltLarimore at August 21, 2026

At least Phil still had Chug to take his mind off his foundering love life [with Marilyn at the end of the summer of 1946].

By the fall, the Thoroughbred had completed basic caisson training and learned to respond to Phil’s one-leg lead.

Phil and Chug – the horse he rescued

Some of the more learned horsemen he knew said it was the first they had ever heard of a horse capable of following a one-leg lead.[1]

From time to time, Phil rode in a high-ranking officer’s funeral, which was a privilege. During the memorial services, he would think of the guys he had fought with and lost.

Meanwhile, life on the post revolved around ceremonial assignments, including wreath presentations at the Tomb [of the Unknowns], medal ceremonies at the Amphitheater, and riding with Ross to National Airport to meet some two-star or three-star general.

Their most fascinating airport event was in September when Phil led an Honor Guard to present arms to General Eisenhower and British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery before returning to England [after a visit with President Truman and Ike in DC].[2]

Phil is at attention and seen here just to the side of Eisenhower

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[1] From AI: This line refers to World War II veteran Phil Larimore and his exceptional horse, Chugwater, from the book At First Light. Because Larimore lost his right leg during the war, he cleverly trained Chugwater to respond exclusively to his left leg and knee movements—a customized “one-leg lead”. Phil Larimore was a decorated U.S. Army officer who faced severe combat injuries His horse, Chugwater, was a talented 10-year-old bay gelding. Chugwater adapted so well that he seamlessly followed Larimore’s single-leg cues for complex jumping, foxhunting, and steeplechase events. Larimore first met Chug during his military service in Europe in WWII during a secret mission during the wartime to rescue the world-famous Lipizzaner horses.

[2] Larimore, At First Light, 321.