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I Miss my Grandfather
Silver Star Families of America ^ | 2012 | Steve Newton

Posted on 08/04/2012 8:49:38 PM PDT by Steve Newton

Sometimes I really miss my Grandfather. Do you?


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Military/Veterans; Miscellaneous; Society
KEYWORDS: grandfather; reagan; ssfoa
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I remember many years ago when I was just starting out married life and was still young and idealistic, watching my adopted grandfather speak to folks. He was one of those people who just drew a crowd no matter where he went or what he was doing.

You know the type—someone who never met a stranger and after 5 minutes of talking with him you felt you had known him forever.

My real grandfather had passed years before and I had very little memory of him but my adopted grandfather took over and he looked after me, taught me what was right and wrong and to stand with my head held high with pride but to be humble at the same time.

Times where different then; The kids still said the Pledge of Allegiance in school, everyone stood for the National Anthem, and during parades men would still take off their hats and stand when the American Flag passed by.

He wasn’t personally around a lot but when he was he made a point to shake my hand and say a few words of encouragement or to tell a joke. What a sense of humor he had! I have seen folks that didn’t particularly care for him laugh until they cried at some of his antics. (Having sex at my age is like shooting pool with a rope!)

And while he was a kind and generous man, he believed that with trust in God, you helped yourself and took no handouts unless you really needed one. “Find something you like son and work hard; make something of yourself.” He talked fondly of law enforcement, the military---public service. He loved his country unashamedly and he invoked that feeling in the people around him.

One of the few times I have seen him angry was when someone disrespected his country. His eyes would get cold and his face would change and if you knew him you knew it was time to get out of the way.

He seemed to lead by instinct making you want to follow him because he seemed to know where he was going. In the darkest of times I would listen to him talk and I would not be afraid. He was everyone’s grandfather.

He was quietly religious and his whole foundation rested on God and Country. He was a good guy and I miss him. I wonder if their will ever be another like him when we need him—or her. I hope so and I hope so soon. We shall see.

Thanks Grand dad.

I miss you Ronald Reagan.

1 posted on 08/04/2012 8:49:46 PM PDT by Steve Newton
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To: Steve Newton

I know this will not get many responses.

But I felt a need tonight to post it. I don’t know why. I suppose that I yearn for a President that leads with pride and strenght. Who believed in his heart that we were number one.

We are number one.

I believe that.

And for that and many other things I thank God that we had him for a while.


2 posted on 08/04/2012 8:59:07 PM PDT by Steve Newton (And the Wolves will learn what we have shown before-We love our sheep we dogs of war. Vaughn)
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To: Steve Newton

“I thank God that we had him for a while.”

Me too. He was the absolute best.


3 posted on 08/04/2012 9:19:47 PM PDT by Heart of Georgia (Boston's mayor is anti-Christian and anti-free speech.)
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To: Steve Newton

Both of my grandpa’s died in 1967. Paternal one would bring some goodies over some sunday’s. Paternal grandma she died in 1945 before any of us kids were born.


4 posted on 08/04/2012 9:22:22 PM PDT by tflabo (Truth or Tyranny)
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To: Steve Newton
My B-I-L used to do Picture Framing for President Reagan's Office in Century City.

President Reagan's Assistant was bringing Photos and Paintings to his shop to get framed, but President Reagan asked if my B-I-L would come to the Office and meet with him personally so he was sure to get exactly what he wanted.

My B-I-L became friendly with President Reagan and his Staff. When his Father was going to turn 80, he asked President Reagan's Assistant if he could have his Father meet the President. The Assistant checked with the President and they set it up.

His Father had no idea where his Wife and Son were taking him for his Birthday. They ended up in Century City at an Office Building. They met a Woman in the Lobby who led them to a Private Elevator. His Father just thought there was a Restaurant at the top of the Building. Up the Elevator they go.

When the Elevator Doors opened, there stood President Reagan. My B-I-Laws Father was speechless. President Reagan introduced himself, shook hands and led them through the Office showing them around. He took my B-I-Laws Father aside and they talked for a good half hour while looking out the window at the Skyline from his Private Office.

I write this to assure everyone that President Reagan was exactly what we as Conservatives knew him to be. He was warm, generous with his time and simply a Man among Men.

My B-I-Laws Father spoke of meeting President Reagan for the rest of his Life. He was an accomplished fellow himself, but his meeting and talking to the President was the icing on the cake.

To this day I always give my B-I-L a hard time. He is not Political at all, and here I am envying the picture of him shaking hands with President Reagan. He just tells me the President was a really nice unassuming guy. I would have given a Kidney to be in his position at the time.

5 posted on 08/04/2012 9:27:05 PM PDT by Kickass Conservative (The only good Commie is an Impeached Commie.)
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To: Kickass Conservative

Wow.

I mean thank you.

History that will be soon forgotten. But maybe not now.


6 posted on 08/04/2012 9:32:36 PM PDT by Steve Newton (And the Wolves will learn what we have shown before-We love our sheep we dogs of war. Vaughn)
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To: Heart of Georgia

Amen

I pray we have someone waiting for Gods call to take his place


7 posted on 08/04/2012 9:35:10 PM PDT by Steve Newton (And the Wolves will learn what we have shown before-We love our sheep we dogs of war. Vaughn)
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To: tflabo

Sigh.

Understood.

Grandparents have a special place in our hearts


8 posted on 08/04/2012 9:36:25 PM PDT by Steve Newton (And the Wolves will learn what we have shown before-We love our sheep we dogs of war. Vaughn)
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To: Steve Newton

Funny thing. My B-I-L knows what a crazy Right Winger I am.

After they were Married about three years or so, his Wife shows me the picture of him with President Reagan. I’m like WTF, how come you never mentioned this to me?

My B-I-L, who’s picture is next to “laid back” in the Dictionary just says, I didn’t think about it.

He meets, I mean he knew and talked with the President at least once a month for over three years and he thinks it’s no big deal. I didn’t even think of the story until I saw your Post, and now I’m mad at my B-I-L all over again. LOL


9 posted on 08/04/2012 9:42:42 PM PDT by Kickass Conservative (The only good Commie is an Impeached Commie.)
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To: Kickass Conservative

LOL

Understand.

I was lucky enough to be chosen to guard Reagan when I was a cop.

He wanted to thank everyone and we all lined up and he came down the line shaking everyones hand.

I smoked a pipe and it was windy that day. Burn off half of my mustache.

When he got to me, he said “You didn’t have to shave for me.” LOL

I will never forget it


10 posted on 08/04/2012 9:55:59 PM PDT by Steve Newton (And the Wolves will learn what we have shown before-We love our sheep we dogs of war. Vaughn)
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To: Kickass Conservative
In our business my boss has a bust of Ronald Reagan and an American flag next to it. He is the only president represented in the business, definitely no pictures of Obama there for we want to believe in ourselves.
11 posted on 08/04/2012 10:00:12 PM PDT by dog breath
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To: Kickass Conservative

In our business my boss has a bust of Ronald Reagan and an American flag next to it. He is the only president represented in the business, definitely no pictures of Obama there for we want to believe in ourselves.


12 posted on 08/04/2012 10:01:53 PM PDT by dog breath
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To: dog breath

Aww

And THAT is the key.

We need someone who makes us feel special and important. That is what is sorely lacking with this president.

We ARE exceptional.


13 posted on 08/04/2012 10:03:37 PM PDT by Steve Newton (And the Wolves will learn what we have shown before-We love our sheep we dogs of war. Vaughn)
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To: Steve Newton

My grandfather came from Scotland. He loved archaeology and taught me to work and to save for a rainy day.

I have and I am good for rainy days.

I love archaeology and have read and read of all sorts of ancient civilizations,always with him in mind, hoping he’d be pleased.

I miss him all the time. All the time. He made me a better person.


14 posted on 08/04/2012 10:06:53 PM PDT by Beowulf9
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To: Steve Newton

My maternal GF was an electrical engineer for Bell Labs all his life (MIT educated). I only knew his as a retired guy, watching golf and Lawrence Welk. But, he loved giving me math puzzles all the time, even by mail when I went off to college. I wish he was still around.


15 posted on 08/04/2012 10:11:07 PM PDT by Cementjungle
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To: Beowulf9

I know.

Bless his heart.

And yours


16 posted on 08/04/2012 10:12:40 PM PDT by Steve Newton (And the Wolves will learn what we have shown before-We love our sheep we dogs of war. Vaughn)
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To: Cementjungle

Yeah

Well we will see them again soon.

Bless you Friend


17 posted on 08/04/2012 10:14:03 PM PDT by Steve Newton (And the Wolves will learn what we have shown before-We love our sheep we dogs of war. Vaughn)
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To: Kickass Conservative

Great story — thanks for putting it up for us.

I still have a little lump in my throat.


18 posted on 08/04/2012 10:20:29 PM PDT by Semper911 (When you want to rob Peter to pay Paul, you'll always have the support of Paul.)
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To: Kickass Conservative

My father in law and President Reagan were good friends from before his days as governor.He was a registered democrat but always voted republican.I asked him why and he said the way things were/are in hollyweird is if you were thought to be a republican you would be hard pressed to be be a member of any law firm.They just dont make them like that anymore.


19 posted on 08/04/2012 10:28:48 PM PDT by HANG THE EXPENSE (Life's tough.It's tougher when you're stupid.)
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To: Steve Newton

I believe there are one or two out there who come close but doubt there will ever be another Reagan. Although I’d love to be proven wrong.

I want this generation to experience what it’s like in the USA when a president uplifts his country and wants it to be confident and prosperous rather than oppressed and desperate.

Thanks for the reminder of what we had. We’ll need lots of reminders over the next few months, especially if we’re going to be facing 4 more years after that. I don’t believe we’ll be able recover if that’s the case, mostly because of the entrenchment of evil in DC, and the willingness to do anything to stay in power.

Pray, and then pray some more.


20 posted on 08/04/2012 10:35:13 PM PDT by Heart of Georgia (Boston's mayor is anti-Christian and anti-free speech.)
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