[LadyX]

On this Military Monday, let The Finest pause to pay tribute to a fallen veteran, our own Flyer's father --

~ Wilburn Chessher 1942 ~

~ Wilburn Chessher 2004 ~

From the thread lovingly maintained by Flyer for his father's last weeks:

"Wilburn Chessher passed away Sunday afternoon, July 25, 2004. He was at home where he wished to be and in the care of Hospice. He passed peacefully and free of suffering. Thank you all for your prayers and comfort."

Thank you, Flyer, for allowing us to share this with you, many sending cards and notes to your father when you indicated how greatly he would enjoy them.

We honor this fine man who served America in the Navy in the Pacific during WW II, and you, for being the devoted and loving son you have always been.

[humblegunner]

We honor this fine man who served America in the Navy in the Pacific during WW II, and you, for being the devoted and loving son you have always been.

Amen to that.

[DollyCali]

I am so sorry about the death of your dad Flyer. What a handsome guy.. in his youth & as a mature man.

My dad was navy WW2 pacific theater. He died Dec 1990. I still miss him a lot.

Prayers for you & yours during this difficult time

[Darksheare]

I am here, and my coffee is too.

[Eaker]

Here is a quote from Flyer's brother Roger. I took it from his blog.

My Dad died today. He was 80 years old and lost a long term battle with cancer. He was a hero in the Navy during WWII, although he always denied it. Here's a quote from his autobiography:

"I went through many battles throughout the South Pacific, including the big battle at Leyte, Philippines. There we were attacked by suicide bombers. My ship had a crew of 67 when we were attacked. Three of us survived."

rogers_ruminations

Stop by and leave a note!!

[JustAmy]

Flyer ..... please accept my condolences.

Losing a parent is always difficult; my prayers are with you and your family.

[Flyer]

Thanks y'all. My FReeper family has been a tremendous source of comfort and I can't express how much I appreciate it.

[Kitty Mittens]

Please accept my condolences on the loss of your Father. You and your loved ones will be in my prayers.

[Kudsman]

A thank you to Signalman Petty Officer Wilburn Chessher that I never got the opportunity to give him in person. Thank you for my Freedom.

Flyer, may God bless you and all of yours in this time of grieving.

Lady, I posted this poem the other night at Amy's. I hope you don't mind me posting it here also for Military Monday.

I AM AN AMERICAN

I am an American.
My father belongs to the Sons of the Revolution;
My mother, to the Colonial Dames.
One of my ancestors pitched tea overboard in Boston Harbor;
Another stood his ground with Warren;
Another hungered with Washington at Valley Forge.
My forefathers were America in the making:
They spoke in her council halls;
They died on her battlefields;
They commanded her ships;
They cleared her forests.
Dawns reddened and paled.
Staunch hearts of mine beat fast at each new star
In the nation’s flag.
Keen eyes of mine foresaw her greater glory:
The sweep of her seas.
The plenty of her plains.
The man-hives in her billion-wired cities.
Every drop of blood in me holds a heritage of patriotism.
I am proud of my past.
I am an American.

I am an American.
My father was an atom of dust,
My mother a straw in the wind,
To His Serene Majesty.
One of my ancestors died in the mines of Siberia;
Another was crippled for life by twenty blows of the knout;
Another was killed defending his home during the massacres.
The history of my ancestors is a trail of blood
To the palace-gate of the Great White Czar.
But then the dream came-
The dream of America.
In the light of the Liberty torch
The atom of the dust became a man
And the straw in the wind became a woman
For the first time.
“See,” said my father, pointing to the flag that fluttered near,
“That flag of stars and stripes is yours;
It is the emblem of the promised land.
It means, my son, the hope of humanity.
Live for it - die for it!”
Under the open sky of my new country I swore to do so;
And every drop of blood in me will keep that vow.
I am proud of my future.
I am an American.

Elias Liberman