Paratrooper
Our deepest condolences to your family. What a legacy.
As I read through the comments, I note that many other Freepers are proud to be a part of the country that is willing to serve, and if necessary, to die, in support of keeping this country free.
Like others - my family also has a long tradition - my Dad did 22 years in the Navy, retiring as a Master Chief. One brother served in the Army, another in the Marines. I did 30 in the Navy and Navy Reserve before retiring 2 years ago. Now - I have a daughter in the Army Reserve, a son at the Naval Academy, and another son going into the Army in a few months. I have a nephew who is a Captain in the Army Rangers. The legacy continues.
During the Revolutionary War, when trying to recruit sailors to serve on recently commissioned ships of the new Navy, John Paul Jones said, 'Sign on and sail with me. The stature of our homeland is no more than the measure of ourselves. Our job is to keep her free. Our will is to keep the torch of freedom burning for all. Heed my call. Come to the sea. Come sail with me'.
In the movie "Bridges of Toko Ri", RAdm. George Tarrant asks: "Where do we get such men?" The answer is that as long as families raise children to patriotic values and love of country - we will have a never ending supply of patriots. But if we ever become like Europe - too environmentally correct to have more than 1 child, too wussified to teach them patriotism, we will be a nation that will cease to exist.
Thanks to everyone on this thread that has served, and thanks to those who might not have served - but is willing to extend gratitude to those who have served!
Mike
Hand Salute!
What a proud and patriotic American family. Well done.
And so the Greatest Generation loses another of its heroes. My sincere condolences to you and your wonderful family of patriots.
May God Bless You and the Your Dad.
It certainly sounds as if your father lived his life in accordance with the Cadet Prayer which I have taken the liberty to send your way. May God bless your father's soul and bestow His grace upon your family.
"God, our Father, Thou Searcher of Men’s hearts, help us draw near to Thee in sincerity and truth. May our religion be filled with gladness and may our worship of Thee be natural.
Strengthen and increase our admiration for honest dealing an clean thinking, and suffer not our hatred of hypocrisy and pretense ever to diminish. Encourage us in our endeavor to live above the common level of life. Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with half truth when the whole truth can be won. Endow us with courage that is born of loyalty to all that is noble and worthy, that scorns to compromise with vice and injustice and knows no fear when truth and right are in jeopardy. Guard us against flippancy and irreverence in the sacred things of life. Grant us new ties of friendship and new opportunities of service. Kindle our hearts in fellowship with those of a cheerful countenance, and soften our hearts with sympathy for those who sorrow and suffer. Help us to maintain the honor of the Corps untarnished and unsullied and to show forth in our lives the ideals of West Point in doing our duty to Thee and to our Country. All of which we ask in the name of the Great Friend and Master of men." --- Amen.
Godspeed, Soldier...
Prayer bump
My condolences for your loss. From your description your father was a first rate AMERICAN may he rest in peace.
My condolences to you and your family.
He too served in WWII, from Northern Africa to Sicily, then across the Rhine in the Battle of the Bulge all the way to the Czech border. Later he was in the Korean War, and retired in the early sixities after serving in Vietnam.
May God Bless your Family at this time, and may he protect all of your Father's children who are serving this Country in the Military.
Prayers and thanks to you and your family.
May God guide and protect your family in their service to our great nation.
Prayers and thanks to you and your family.
May God guide and protect your family in their service to our great nation.
My Family has fought in every war this country has been in since 1637 as volunteers. Your father was a brave man and brave men go to the head of the line, my prayers go with him.
Prayers of strength for your family. He was a true patriot, what with all his offspring and their off spring serving our country, God Speed Col, Thank you.
Oh, parting is not easy. Prayers to all.
Sincere condolences and respect. God Bless your Father, may he rest in eternal peace.
I will never forget your sacrifice.
Trooper thanks to all of your family for their service.