My Father Died Tuesday Morning. An old soldier passes on...

4.16.03 | mlmr

[mlmr]

My father died yesterday and I had the privilige of standing next to him and saying goodbye as he took his last breaths. He is having a military funeral for the most important event in his life was the 18 months he spent with the 101. He joined them at age 16 as they crossed the Mediterranian to Italy. He was young and ski patroled the Alps for a while then was spun off to the new MPs to help keep the peace in occupied Italy. He had many funny stories including the time he was involved with arresting the general who headed the Italian forces and engineered the surrender to the Allies. He even married an Italian woman. God rest his soul.

[Samwise]

You can find all the details here. You'll need the death certificate and his service records. Other links will take you to other benefits. The cerificate takes almost three months. I finally called and they said they had to radiate all the mail. I have heard it takes years to get the markers. We will see. Good luck and God bless.

http://www.cem.va.gov/pmc.htm

[ex-snook]

"I would love to hear about others and their WWII Dads. Any 101 people?"

I'm one of those WWII 'dads' and my unit met the 101 in Alsace where they went after Bastogne. Also again later around Berchegarden (sp?) where the Nazis were to make their last stand.

[MrJingles]

Prayers from your FReeper family...

[deadhead]

I am so sorry. May your Dad Rest In Peace. My Thoughts and Prayers are with your Dad and his loved ones.

My Dad was in the US Navy, WWII. Lost my Dad when I was a young one, I have all his medals and Military History records. I have been in touch with some of the Sailors who served with my Dad. They have shared many stories and photos with me. They have yearly reunions.

Take Care mlmr

Colleen

[Zacs Mom]

God Speed to your dad ~ my condolences to you & your family. I pray the sorrow you feel today will soon melt away into a wealth of warm memories.

[jwalsh07]

God bless him. My Dad, a WW2 vet died many years ago at a very young age. I still miss him but I go through life with the belief that our separation is only temporary.

[PackerBoy]

Please accept my sincere sympathy and condolences on your loss. The loss of a parent is the most inevitable, and yet most difficult loss for many people to accept and come to terms with.

I am sure you will continue to honor his memory by living the kind of life that he fought for us all to enjoy.

[zook]

Bless his heart and bless your heart. I'm so thankful for every day I still have my WWII vet dad. I hope I'll be able to have your faith and courage when the days run out.

[DoctorMichael]

We are slowly losing THAT generation one by one. My father, who signed up fight in the Pacific as soon as he was of age after losing HIS brother to the Japanese, died 4 years ago.

Prayers to ALL of those who fought the Axis Powers and that delivered the world a victory. How can we ever repay them?

[wingnuts'nbolts]

Our condolences for the loss of your father with our gratitude for his service to our Country. We would have loved to hear his stories. Old soldiers never die.......

[Az Joe]

The Old Man was mean at times, but not as mean as I probably deserved. Yet 20 years after his death I still wish he was here, I can always use his advice.

God bless your father and you.

[Pegita]

Joining your FReeper family in sharing your sorrow, yet rejoicing in the life of your beloved Dad ...

Pegita/Pennsylvania

[Billthedrill]

Count the hours blessed that you had him. The torch is yours now. Hold it high.

[wardaddy]

TAPS and G-dspeed.

I've been there. It's tough. I wish mine could have had 10 more years. He missed 2 more grandchildren. Five years and 4 months and 3 days later I still think about him several times a day and still wonder what he'd think of the world...and me.

BIG DADS are hard to live up to but they sure set a nice example and incalcuable inspiration.

Only time I've cried publicly in 25 years. Scared my wife and kids to death...lol...it's not really funny...more like a wry resignation. My dad was not a cryer either.

My prayers for you and your family. The memories will never fade much.

[McGavin999]

God bless your dad and may he bring comfort for your loss. Sounds like he lived a wonderful life.

[LauraJean]

My prayers are with you and your family.

[Cultural Jihad]

Sorry to hear the sad news, mlmr. May God be merciful to your Father, and lift him up to the Light of His countenance, and may perpetual Light shine upon him.

[deJaz]

God Bless you all and your dear dad

[sistergoldenhair]

My WWII dad died about 5 years ago.
You have my sympathy.
Treasure your father's stories and photos.
They tell the tale of our heros.

[RightOnline]

May the Good Lord welcome your father home and into His loving arms.......and may He bless you and your family.