Posted on 02/14/2007 8:25:14 AM PST by Paratrooper
My Father passed away on 12 Feb 2007. He was a retired Colonel. He started life as an a Army brat born at Ft Monroe, Va. His father was a career Army Officer and every paternal grandfather with the exception on one has served in the military back to the revolutionay war. Our family has served the military in every war with the exception of the Spanish American War in 1898. He graduated from West Point and started his career with the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment in Germany during WWII. He served in both the Korean(187 Regimental Combat Team ABN) and Vietnam Wars(MACV HQ) and earned the purple heart being wounded three times, once seriously leaving a very distinguished scar across his forehead. He had seven children, four boys and three girls. All four boys are career military and one daughter is career military. The other two daughter's husbands are or were Army Officers. When he got ill he had a daughter(Navy Commander)serving on the Iraq-Kuwait border, a son(Army LYT, SPC OPS)in Mindano, Phillipines, and a son(Navy Seal CAPT) in Columbia, South America. All made it back to bid him farewell before he died. He has one grandson who has served two tours with the 4th Infantry Division in Iraq. My son is following tradition and is starting Army Basic Training today at Ft Benning. He was a true professional and great father. As a West Pointer we say "Well Done" Dad, be thou at peace.
Prayers for those 'missing him.'.........
Prayers for the repose of a hero's soul in the arms of our Mighty God, and prayers for the consolation of your family and friends.
R.I.P.
He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast, And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past. Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done, In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.
And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke, All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke. But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away, And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.
He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife, For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life. Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way, And the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today.
When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state, While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great. Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young, But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.
Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man? Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife, Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?
A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives. While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all, Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.
It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago, That the old Bills of our Country went to battle, but we know It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys, Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.
Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand, Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand? Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?
He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin, But his presence should remind us we may need his like again. For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.
If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise, Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days. Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say, Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today. http://www.vaincourt.homestead.com/Common_Soldier.html
I am very sorry for your loss and grateful for what your family has given us. Thank you.
A life well lived, thank you for sharing with us. And my thanks to you and your family for your service to our great Country. May God richly bless each of you for the sacrifices you've made on our behalf.
He did a fine job with his life. May he rest in peace at Arlington. I'll say a prayer for him tonight.
Sympathy and prayers for you all. My Dad, a WWII Army infantryman in N. Africa, Sicily, Italy and Germany, passed away almost 5 yrs. ago (88th/351st). I miss him.
Semper Fi!
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NEVER FORGET
The Words
http://www.Freerepublic.com/~ALOHARONNIE
The Pictures
http://www.RickRescorla.com/The%20Statue.htm
The Heroism
http://www.ArmchairGeneral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24361
NEVER FORGET
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NEVER FORGET
..BRUCE CRANDALL = Medal of Honor..
http://www.ArmchairGeneral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48215
NEVER FORGET
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The pictures are so powerful. They take my breath away. God bless America. Please, God.
Giving your father a Freeper Bump and a heartfelt prayer. Thank you for sharing his brave and courageous life with us.
God Bless your father and your family.
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"WE WERE SOLDIERS" Photos...
http://www.lzxray.com/guyer_collection.htm
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Well done. Be at rest, Colonel.
Thank you for sharing a piece of your family's story.
WE owe YOUR family MUCH....condolences on the loss of your Father and BRAVO on the service of your family!
WOW, job well done. My respects, appreciation, and admiration.
Your dad has left behind a remarkable legacy of service to this country. God Bless souls such as his. May he rest in the comfort of the Lord, as your family draws its strength from Him.
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