Posted on 02/04/2007 7:15:40 AM PST by Heart of Georgia
My dad passed away February 1, 2007. He was a veteran of two wars, and he was truly a hero, but you couldn’t get him to agree to that, ever. He’d always say, “No, I was just doing my job.”
You could try, but a more patriotic man you would never find. During WWII and the Korean War, Dad was a builder of bridges and a mechanic for the planes he often times was heard referring to as, "a bucket of bolts."
He was born in Rosemont, West Virginia, the son of a coal miner. Not an educated man, he never thought of himself as very smart, but tell that to the USAF. He won an award for his invention of a valve that's now standard on all jet engines. And he devised a way to make one model work better mechanically by swapping out engine parts of another model. The Air Force deployed him all over the country, and at times overseas, to train others in this technique.
Above and beyond his service to this nation, he's my personal hero. A man dedicated to his family first and foremost. He's a true picture of what our heavenly Father intended fathers to be. There's not a time in my life when he wasn't there for me, and I know everyone in his life would say the same thing.
"I've dreaded this day my entire life..."
May our Lord hold you tighter than ever, and may you feel the love and hugs from FReepers and friends everywhere. May you be comforted by memories until the day you and your daddy can embrace each other again.
I am so very, very sorry.
Our Master, we Pray for Thy Tender Comfort to be with Heart of Georgia and her Mom. Bring Thy Healing Balm to them, our Loving Lord and King. Thank You for the Life of this Dear Man, for his Awesome Legacy of Grace. Wrap Your Beloved Ones in Caring Love, and Fill them with Heavenly Peace.
You have Collected All my Tears,
And Preserved them in Your Bottle.
You have Recorded Each One in Your Book. (Ps.56:8)
In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we Pray for Blessings for Thy Lambs, amen.
Thank God for your father and for your beautiful tribute to him! I join with the others here lifting you and your mother and all the family up to God as you deal with his homegoing.
prayer bump
I am sorry for your loss.
A truly great generation is passing away, and has been passing away for some time.
My father passed away April 28, 2004. He was 83. He had cancer, but didn't tell us about it. He went in the hospital at noon and died 3 AM the next day.
My Dad also was a WW2 vet - US Marines in the Pacific theatre of operations. Didn't talk much about it.
One can only hope that we see them again in the next world.
God bless you, and God bless the Warrior Spirit of your Father.
You will both be in my prayers tonite.
Kia Kaha! (Maori: Stand Strong!)
*DieHard*
May God be with you and your family during the days ahead, cradling your fragile hearts in His Loving Hands and helping you all to find healing and peace and strength. May you always feel the weight of your dad's immense love, all the days of your life. Thank you for your beautiful words, may those feelings always remain in your heart and and continue grow to fill the emptiness left there.
Thank you everyone for your beautiful words and prayers. I appreciate it more than you can know. I'm very uplifted by your paying tribute to my dad.
In looking through Dad’s military papers, I came across his discharge papers from the Army and Air Force. He served in the Army for two years, then transferred to the Air Force, where he served for the next 20 years. Anyway, I was reading the back of his Army discharge papers and couldn’t help but notice his accomplishments in two short years of service:
33. DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS
EAME Theater Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star; Good Conduct Ribbon.
His battle wounds were listed as none, so I’m not sure what the Bronze Star would be for. If I could find any other papers, I’m sure I could find out, but he never spoke about it. Does anyone know if there’s a department I could write to obtain this info?
Also found this letter and wanted to share it with you. I'm sure all of the brave men and women received this letter, but I treasure it because it's from the White House, signed by the president in blue ink, paying tribute to those who deserved so much more.
(The seal of the President of the United States of America at center)
STAFF SERGEANT DELANEY
To you who answered the call of your country and served in its Armed Forces to bring about the total defeat of the enemy, I extend the heartfelt thanks of a grateful Nation. As one of the Nation’s finest, you undertook the most severe task one can be called upon to perform. Because you demonstrated the fortitude, resourcefulness and calm judgment necessary to carry out the task, we now look to you for leadership and example in further exalting our country in peace.
Harry S. Truman
THE WHITE HOUSE
Wow!! goosebumps!!
My Dad is a WWII vet also and he too never talks about it. He had to have his lower leg amputated as a result of his injuries.
He is my hero and I pray for your happy and proud memories with yours!
What a neat neat letter!!
God Bless!
From a line in the discharge papers...............
To you who answered the call of your country and served in its Armed Forces to bring about the total defeat of the enemy,
I wonder if the line about total defeat of the enemy is being used anymore?
Your father was a true hero.
My sincerest sympathy for you. My prayers for you and your family.
I am sorry for your loss. Your love for your father is touching and an example for us all. May God be merciful to your dad.
Hope this helps.
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
God bless you and your family. You are lucky to have someone like your dad in your life.
At the Finest tomorrow I am posting a two day ww2 tribute.. please stop by & post this and anything else you would like re: your dad. (pix would be most welcome)
I will TRY to remember to ping you..
Thanks for sharing this.. you have some memories to treasure for sure!
Prayers for you, your mother, and your family. My sincerest sympathies.
BTTT
A salute to the service of your father. May the Lord ease your broken heart and help see you through until you are reunited with him again in a better place.
My father turns 70 this year and I know that soon I will have to face the fact that one day he won't be there, like he always has been. I day that I also dread... Prayers and condolences for you.
Thank you so much for sharing that with us!
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