My Hero is Gone

February 4, 2007 | Delaney's Girl

[Emmett McCarthy]

I am sorry for your loss. My Dad served in WWII with the Navy and later spent many years in the Coast Guard which involved serving in Vietnam as well. Today, he is suffering from Alzheimer's but my Mom is able and determined to care for him as she has for over 60 years. He had never spoken much about his wartime service until he got sick. I think it's that way with a lot of truly heroic men. Do what's required to protect your nation and your family and keep the horror of the details to yourself.

Just this week, my 16 year-old son told me that, once high school is finished, he thinks he might like to serve in either the Coast Guard or the Navy. That may or may not happen, but I'm proud of him for thinking of it and, if he does pick up the tradition, I only regret that his Grandpa will probably never really know.

[andy58-in-nh]

May God bless you, and I know he'll look after your Dad, too.
I understand entirely what you are feeling now. I lost my Dad (Also an Air Force veteran of Korea) almost 12 years ago. Many of the memories that are painful now will make you smile, and sooner than you think. Keep your family close - especially your Mom. Prayers up.

[JCEccles]

He’d always say, “No, I was just doing my job.”

"Duty is the sublimest word in the English language." Robert E. Lee.

Your dad did more than his duty. He did it quietly, unwaveringly, and well for an entire lifetime. In the invisible pantheon of everyday heroes, he stands tall indeed.

God bless you and your family during this time of transition.

[RedWing9]

My prayers are with you.

In a few days, I hope you look back upon what you wrote, it is beautiful. As much as your Dad was a hero, your love for him was just as grand.

God Bless
RW9

[B.O. Plenty]

May the Lord bless and keep you...and make His Face shine upon you...

And bring you peace.

[mtbopfuyn]

Prayers.

[Jrabbit]

God Bless you....my daddy was a vet, also. I miss him everyday. Prayers for you and your mom and family.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Prayers, FRiend...losing a parent you are close to is so very, very hard....prayer for you and yours.

[IronJack]

I've dreaded this day my entire life, and here it is a reality.

The great times you had with him, the joyous memories, the heartfelt lessons, those are all realities too. He sounds like he lived a splendid life and raised a terrific, loving family. You can be as proud of him as I'm sure he was of you.

Bless you all, and God grant you comfort.

[Olydawg]

God bless ...

[llmc1]

I am so sorry. Our prayers are with you and your family.

[mkjessup]

My FRiend, you and your family will be in my prayers, I know the loss that you're feeling, because my Dad went to be with the Lord just last month, and for we who are left behind, it doesn't seem possible but reality insists that it is. All our grieving, all of our tears, none of it will bring back the ones we've lost, but we can be sure that there is a merciful God is taking care of them, and is taking care of us all.

You were blessed with good and loving parents who I suspect were very much like my own, you blessed them back by taking them home with you when they needed you most. Like your Dad, my Dad too was a son of West Virginia and served our Nation. Likewise, he never considered himself any sort of hero, he was doing his duty, as he saw it, just like yours.

I know that your Dad would no doubt tell you that this world stops for nobody, that he is no longer struggling with the ravages of time and/or disease, that he is a brand new man once again, because God Almighty has promised us that "all things shall become new". Your Dad expects you and wants you to live your life as best you can, to enjoy that life, to celebrate that life that he was instrumental in giving you.

It is a common thought when we lose our Mom or Dad, to say to ourselves "we'll never see them again", and in this earthly, temporal life, that is true with one exception:

Every time you look in a mirror, look a little more closely, because you're going to start noticing your Dad looking back at you. The essence of his life, his soul, his existence has always been part of you, and now you're going to be even more acutely aware of that. That too, is a blessing.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

May the Lord be with you.

MKJ

[Bahbah]

The daughter of a man like that is going to be fine.

Prayers for peace of heart. He will dry your tears and help you carry on.

[Pegita]

Gracious Heavenly Father, we are before You this morning in praise and in sorrow, for Heart of Georgia's beloved Father has left her presence to be in Yours. Thank You that she can tell of his earthly days, and that he was what you intended him to be ... an earthly picture of a Heavenly Father, who ever is unfailing in love and commitment and care and compassion. Now, O Lord, bring to her and her grieving Mother, others who will sustain them with expressions of comfort and support, who will weep with them and their shattered family, for it is Your Promise that You will not leave them comfortless. How great Your Love ... how tender Your mercies. Thank You, Father, that our depths of grief can be borne because of hope given by promise ... "I go to prepare a place for you ... that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:2,3.

Walk with Heart of Georgia and her loved ones in the hours and days ahead, Father God. Let all who hear of her Dad's service and accomplishments give thanks unto him for his great part in our country's liberty and freedom. Grant this family the warm memories of a lifetime and the glorious promise of joyous reunion.

Even in the midst of sorrow, let all the people praise You, O Lord ... let all the people praise You, now and forevermore, Amen ...

[Thumper1960]

God bless you and your family. May His arms surround you and your family in your times of grief.

Remember that you are the product of all your father was. He will never be separate from you, since when you see yourself, you see him and know that he is always a part of you.

Peace, always.

[DesertSapper]

God bless and comfort you and your family.

From your account of your father's life, I will be adding him to my list of heroes too.

[surrey]

Oh, how I sympathize with you. My Dad on February 1st, 1987. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss him. He wasn't just my Dad but my biggest supporter and best friend.
Prayers to you and your family.

[originalbuckeye]

Prayers for you and your mother. I can relate. I lost my dad in 1996. He was a WW2 vet, a POW in Germany and, when he came home, he met and married my mother and had 4 children whom he taught the meaning of responsibility. He was very ill for a long time and in a nursing home with Alzheimer's when he left us. The only thing that forced me to accept his passing was the fact that, at the end, there was no way he could survive any longer. Once I asked him, as he lay in a lounge type wheelchair, if he could walk again when he was dreaming. He said' oh, honey, that's when I run'. I just think about him running around in heaven now. My mother passed away a year ago and I know she's running with him.

Your loss will be acute for a long time. Then the pain will lessen. You will remember him every day of your life and the tears may come again but remember you were lucky to have had him for your father. The best thing a man can do for his children is love their mother and be a good example of how to live their lives. You have had both. Again, prayers for you and your mother.

[Suzy Quzy]

God Bless you and your family....sounds like a great one.

[Dave S]

May God bless you and your family. Your tribute to your dad brought tears to my eyes. Reminds me I had better call my dad today.