+ 1 A Veteran to remember.
I want to draw your attention to a Veteran whose story is not unlike many other veterans.
He was a corporal in the Korean war. After the war he went home to the Midwest and started a family.
During this time he had 3 kids and went to school to get a law degree. He joined the Air Force as a second Lieutenant during the Vietnam war. He was about 28 at the time.
He had 3 more kids during his military career. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.
He is a bit of a disciplinarian, but he is Judicious, quick to admit when he is wrong, staunchly loyal, conservative, has a quick wit, and is generous to a fault.
He’s not a war hero, he has accomplished nothing remarkable during his life except to raise an incredible family. Every one of his kids have grown to become productive members of society. Each with a strong commitment to society and volunteerism. Each of the 6 kids carry with them the same traits as their father. The grandchildren in turn, some still growing, some in college, also share the same strengths as their parents and grandfather –all 23 of them.
So when I say this man, this veteran, has accomplished nothing remarkable. I lied. He has left behind an incredible living legacy.
Yesterday I had the unpleasant honor of saying goodbye to this wonderful man. He had been living in an assisted living home.
I assisted in placing him in a plastic bag then in turn lifting him to a gurney, strapping him down, and tucking him into a body bag.
I escorted his body down a lonely hall, out a side door, and into an unmarked van.
It struck me as how unremarkable the end was for this remarkable man. No tickertape, no background Hollywood music or lighting.
It was like watching a movie or SNL skit that just ended abruptly, like the writers didn’t know where to go from here.
This man was my idol, my hero, and my father.
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PropheticWookie48PropheticWookie1s ago
What a great post, warm, respectful and deeply meaningful. Thank you author for this. Heroes eternal memory in the hearts of his loved ones
I have never seen this before, this is a really nice post Greg.
Beautiful! RIP Sir!
Right on brother.
As I said last year, your father and the men like him are my heroes. We can only hope to leave the same impression on this world as they did.
I always like to give my respects to veterans and their family. It’s Such a sacrifice they make and judging by the fact that he served his country in not one but 2 wars I’m sure he was a patriot and a great man
God bless him and your family. A lot of people in this country have no regard what these men do for our freedom.
Brought tears to my eyes mate. So sorry for your loss...don't know what else to say.
BUMP. Lest we forget...
Thanks to all veterans, active, inactive, served just one term, retired, living, and those who have passed.
There is no small contribution when serving our country. From the file clerk in fort lewis to the soldier/sailor on the front line...
Thank you all.
Thank you bro!!
Lost for words.. Hits home my man. +A mill
Massive respect to your father. And so sorry for your loss even after all this time!
RustyhookerSorry for your loss big bro. Youll never lose the love or memories.
I am going to say it again ... sometimes the most unremarkable things become the most remarkable when you change perspective ... I had the duty of watching my father die not to many months ago. Perhaps unremarkable or perhaps not ... ask those who were there if the man made a difference .. that in and of itself is remarkable
Where i live @ 20:00 pm they play the last post for the 54896 missing soldiers that give their lives for our country and our people everyday they honour one of the 54896 soldiers for each day of the year his story his life his family we will never forget what those people have done for us tomorrow is 11.11 and we will remind all, of them and honour them the way they deserve it
Your father and all those like him who were predecessors to my military career have and will always be my idols and hero's. I based my daily actions on the history they created, and every decision I made, I made with the intent to make them proud of the traditions they bestowed to me. May your father rest in piece knowing his selfless acts created what we have today. Semper Fidelis.
Still a great post and honor to your father. My dad also fought and was wounded in Vietnam and also died unremarkably 8 years ago nearly to the day.
Salute to you & your father as well my friend!!
Thats a really lovely post. Respect.
This is just absolutely awesome!! Salute to both you & your great father my friend!!
Bump in fond memory of all vets. Most of whom lead quiet lives and are easily overlooked and many forgotten.
I have nothing to add to this thread. I would like to thank all of you that shared about your fathers. This is truly an incredible thread. Also thanks to your fathers for their service and your mothers for keeping the home fires lit.
Sadly its true...you look around and ALL their belongings remain...it becomes startling clear that you take nothing and only leave behind yr legacy. i suppose this is life...i can only hope there is some sort of an after life because in some ways then its all for naught....i always say at the end of yr life all you have is your memories so make them as good as you can and relieve yr dad's memories, talk about him, honor him by keeping some physical possession of his, joke about him, let his spirit live on in yr everyday life...you can make his life/death remarkable by the gifts he gave you and yr family.
im sorry about yr dad :(
thank-you. My dad had a wry wit and would not want to be remembered with a heavy heart. Even in sadness I find myself smiling at the memory of the things he would say or do.
“This story shall the good man teach his son;
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother”
While it may be too late to give your father thanks for his service, it is not to late to remember his service with pride. I may not know you or your father but being a vet my self I can tell you that while there may not have been trumpets or thunder for his passing ; his passing carries with in its self an inherent nobility, and with it the grieving of a country for the loss of one of her protectors. Thank you for sharing his story, and sorry for your loss.
Thank-you
Unremarkable only in the eyes of those who require the fan fare and drama.. Very remarkable in the eyes of those of us who know better .. who know that after the ticker tape parade all that is left is trash in the street, everyone has moved on to the next parade. Men like your father are honored by the legacy they have left, the memories of those who are there to remember. Men like your father don't need ticker tape and fanfare, he sees his honor the eyes of those around them..
now if you will excuse me I have to the other room and cry
now you've gone and made me cry... Thank-you grrrl, your kind words and thoughts mean a lot to me.
tread-mThat was very nice grrrl. I am not as strong as you, not able to wait and ask to be excused.
Greg has an amazing heart and an amazing family and that came through in the beautiful words he chose to honor his father. We have all been friends since the beginning and I'm blessed by both of you.
tread-mI knew as you began knowing you and your background this was your father Greg. I have made no secret of the fact you are the finest member of this board. Never running around screaming like an idiot, never talking about how great you are or bragging in any way shape or form...
I have known from day one you were not only a man of great strength and integrity, I knew where it came from....your father was absolutely a hero. He is the sort of man that makes life beautiful, believed in humanity and that has always been reflected in the man you are.
I am honored to know you and always have been.
My father had a similar story just to share a little back with you as you grieve and hopefully what i am about to tell you will provide some comfort.
I spent hrs a day with my dad as he lay dying. My father was a humble but very strong man. Never the look at me type either, thought i hung the moon so proud of his first born. Like yours to you, he was my hero....
So one day as it got near i had stayed strong for him. Never dropped a tear in his presence. He saw it in my face one night as i knew the days were drawing to a close.
He asked me with a smile..."whats wrong son". I should not have said it but so glad i did..."I dont want to lose you pops".
The most powerful comforting wordz i have ever heard followed....
With a smile... " you cant lose me son, you are me".
Wors that brought me to immediate comfort. He was right..always right here with every breath i take.
Days later he struggled holding on with my mother at his side crying. I whispered to her, we have to let him go mom...i knew he was fighting for her.
Asbi slowly pulled her away i took his hand and leaned and kissed his cheek and whispered " its time to go dad, your work is done. I will make sure mom is taken care of"....in that exact second he quit breathing.
Like mine...yours was a great man and he has gone nowhere. "You are him".
Happy to talk anytime but you know that. As you did here, celebrate this wonderful man. Thank you for sharing him with us today.
Thanks Tred for sharing your story. You've been a great friend to me. You always seem to know what to say. Thank-you for your kind words and constant support.
Both of your stories are great and deeply touching. I can also relate. My father was Semper Fi seriously wounded in combat 1968. He had his demons and me being the first born probably saw them more than my siblings. He attempted to drill me like I was in the corp. I made that very difficult at times. We had our ups and downs but there was never a doubt in my mind how much he loved me. He was a regular blue collar guy but he couldn't leave cigarettes alone. He also suffered debilitating nerve damage which led to a serious problem with opiates. He was in pain, great pain so there was no helping that.
After suffering for 15 years with Copd we lost him , 3 years ago now on the 18th. I still find myself reaching for my cell phone to call him when something crosses my mind that I just have to share with him. I also always look forward to the rare nights he visits me in my dreams..
For the rest of you guys that still have your fathers take the time to tell them what they mean to you, as we never know when will be too late. I am fortunate my father and I left not single stone unturned.
Thank you to all who served past and present . Especially you Dad..
Tough reading my own words...
Thank-you ice for sharing your story.
tread-mThat was beautiful. I love the expression "not a single stone unturned". I am fortunate enough to be able to make that ckaim as well brother. Btw...cigs are what removed my dad from our lives far to young at the age of 67. He had no quit in him, as strong as an ox till it got him. Sadly only one death of an infant in my lifetime has been at the hands of something other than smokes. Each and every single one had many many more years to live laugh and love if not for those. Not sure what it is we dont yet understand as people ...its too bad. Took my mother as well 2 years ago the day after this coming thanksgiving.
Btw...i actually reach for my phone still as well and if driving near their old home have caught myself turning on their street to pop in then remember.
Same story here brother. Smokes took my Grandfather ( dad's dad) at 66 and mine at 60. My maternal grandmother who practically raised when I was little and who I can honestly say loved me and I loved her more than my own mother at 54 and my uncle at 40..It is no surprise tho that other than an idiot sister neither myself or any of my cousins ever smoked cigarettes.
BTW brother I am sorry to hear of the loss of the baby, I cannot even begin to fathom how painful that would be. I have truly been blessed with two mouthy, but healthy youngins
That is an extraordinary tribute. The way you honor him proves to me he accomplished the most remarkable thing in this life, raising children with honor. My heart grieves for the loss of you father.
Thanks pank. In some ways you and he were a lot alike.
That is the best compliment that I have received here. Thank you!
sorry for your loss mate, the world is a better place because of him. condolences from Australia.
Thank-you
Damn bro. Sorry to hear about your loss. Yoj did an excellent job of honoring him with your words. I'm sure your life honors him even more.
Thoughts and prayers your way big dog.
Thank-you ed, that means a lot to me.
I am here for you. FR sent. Talk to me.