Posted on 09/07/2007 8:55:51 PM PDT by RedCell
Fellow FReepers,
It is with a heavy heart that I post this to let you know we lost another FReeper. My dad lost his long and courageous battle with lung cancer last night at home surrounded by family.
I was fortunate enough to make it to his side minutes before he passed. As I held his hand and announced my arrival, I could tell he knew I was there as his unfocused eyes lifted toward my face. I told him how much I loved him and how thankful I was to have been "raised right" and for everything he did for me. Moments later, he struggled with his last breath and departed to heaven to be at the side of the Lord.
My father served proudly in the United States Marine Corps (HQBN, 2DMARDIV) and would tell my son and me great stories of his time in the service. He would always tell me how proud he was of the exceptional work "his" Marines were doing in Iraq and Afghanistan.
One day after returning home from a chemo treatment, I was telling him how great it would be to have him join Free Republic to voice his opinions (and believe me he had many). Even though he was weakened by the drugs (and having to deal with dial-up access on a computer from 1993), he joined up and was able to make a single post (screen name "Ed said"). As much as he wanted to participate further, he needed to stay focused on his attempted recovery but we would still discuss hot topics that appeared up on FR.
He was a great man and we will miss him dearly. For as long as I can remember and to his final breath last night, he exemplified the principles instilled in him by the United States Marine Corps: Semper Fidelis.
Your Dad will always be with you. May the good Lord hold you all in his loving arms during this difficult time.
I’m so sorry. I am glad though that you had a chance to speak to him before he passed. I know it means a lot to you and I’m sure it did to him, too. Love, Maryxxx
It’s a hard but necessary road for everyone.
I lived it with my dad 10 years ago.
I just thank God it’s not one of our children instead.
God bless your dad....he can say hi to mine up yonder ...VMI/55, USAF 55-62 tac fighter pilot, retired major...Charlie...he's very tall, southern accent
and let your heart heal
Redcell, my deepest sympathy to you. Losing a father that you love and respect is very hard.
That you love and admire your Dad shows that he was a man who lived a life worthy of respect. He provided you a fine example of service to his country and to his fellow man, and that “principle” was not just a word in the dictionary.
The mantle has now fallen to you.
You will honor and enlarge the memory of your Dad by following in the path he has set. It is now up to you to see that he lives on through your deeds and words. In that way, he will always be with you, until you are re-united in the world to come.
You have been given a wonderful legacy—a loving father who can be respected and admired. Not all men are given such a gift.Exalt in your good fortune and carry on, like he would want you to.
He won’t be far away.
I am truly sorry for your loss.
Your Father sounds a bit like mine.
He taught me well.
Rest in Peace.
Give your mom a hug for us.
May Almighty God soothe your grief, comfort your hearts, and bring His peace and blessings upon all who loved your Dad, and upon his soul, until that day when you are all reunited with him. I pray this in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
Sounds like your Dad was a great guy, and like he passed that on. Give your mom a hug for us all (no doubt she had a hand in that, too).
Peace to you and your family.
We lost my Dad to colon cancer last month (8/9/07). Yesterday would have been his 68th birthday.
My Dad proudly served in the US Air Force.
He has 5 children:
1 daughter, former Marine (married to a retired Marine)
1 daughter Air Force retired (married to acdu AF)
1 daughter, wife & mother
1 son, former Air Force
1 daughter, DE police officer
Dad always watched and discussed current events. Told me all about Drudge and that’s how I found FR (way back when they were linked). He’d always send me articles and we’d discuss what was going on...
We miss him!
SEMPER FI MARINE.
Rest In Peace, Ed. You are in good company up there on permanent guard duty. Give my best “Semper Fi’ to all the Marines up there, especially one by the name of Elroy Ray (Texas Cowboy).
Hey Ed, give a Semper Fi to Chief Negotiator too!
I can’t tell you how much your kind and warm words mean to me and my family. I’ve printed out the first round (before the additional entries) and have presented them to my Mom. Understandably, she’ll be putting these aside for now until she gets a bit further through the grieving process.
But my wife read through them and was floored at how the FReeper community has responded and it moved her to tears. It never ceases to amaze me how we pull together for each other, I told her, especially when one of us is going through a tough time.
Before I go any further, I wanted to offer up my prayers and thanks to those of you who have shared your stories with us on this thread, especially to those who have suffered similarly. I also appreciate the heads-up for my Mom to check out the canteen. Perhaps when things settle down, that would be good therapy for her. Finally, I want to express my appreciation for all of you who have served or have loved ones that have served. Whatever the branch, I thank you. Of course, Dad being a Marine tends to affect my perspective just a tad ;-)
A little bit about today’s service... what a beautiful ceremony. I’ve never attended a service with military honors before and I can only try to tell you how moved I was. From the Marine escort (made up entirely of retired veterans which is just amazing) to the active-duty Marines that stood graveside in their dress blues. What a sight!
The part that really got me (after the three rifle volleys) was the ever-so-careful and precise folding of the flag and then the words spoken by one of the Marines as he handed the flag to my mother; “On behalf of the President of the United States, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s service to Country and Corps.”
I pretty much lost it at that point. Not so much from the loss of my Dad (as I’m grateful that his long-suffering is over and my true belief that he is at peace with God now and that I’ll be with him again), but that these Marines symbolize the sacrifice to keep us safe and secure in this world. And more to the point, my Dad was one of them. I couldn’t have been prouder of my Dad than at that very moment.
It was something I’ll never forget as long as I live. I’m absolutely positive my Dad was looking down and beaming with pride at “his” Marines doing such a great job.
Semper Fi, Dad. We love you. We'll miss you.
bttt
prayer bump
Best wishes for the future. And as time goes by, may the pain of this loss simply fade and be replaced with the thousands of warm thoughts and memories of him.
I’m glad the service was beautiful. There really is nothing like a military service to make one proud and humble at the same time. God bless your family real good.
Now you’ve moved me to tears. Your dad obviously did a wonderful job here on earth, both as a dad and as a Marine.
We will all pray that your mother finds comfort in the memories of their long life together.
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What lovely words. Thank you for writing them. Tears of sadness and gratitude have overcome me. God bless you.
Salute to a good Marine and a good family.
And a hug from one mom to another.
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