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.
God bless you and the rest of your Dad’s family. Our deepest condolences.
Bless you and your father.
Keep the faith & walk the walk & someday you will all meet up again. My prayers are with you & your families. It’s tough to lose a parent.
How can a dad not live on in the heart of a son who would speak so eloquently of him?
God bless you and my sympathy to you. You will remember those last few moments you had with him and the opportunity you had to convey a heart-felt “thanks” for many years. How wonderful to know he’s in the arms of the Lord.
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.
Tears are clouding my view... reading this... after just watching the WTC building collapse for the “Never Forget” peeps, including me... and reading those vile comments about that day..
My prayers are with you and your family for your loss, but let him be in heaven now here there is no pain and suffering any longer. He must have been a brave man, on that is hard to come by in the day and age.
I am ex Air Force and Army.... but Semper-Fi to him and his efforts to keep us all free.
MJ
God bless you old warrior.
Semper Fi’
Jarhead
Prayers sent, RIP
Any man can become a father . It takes a real man to be a Dad.
The world lost a warrior and you lost a father.....I am so sorry....
God Bless and Semper Fi
I’m sorry for your loss. I lost my father at age 11..you never ever get over it. God be with him.
Prayers for all of you
My prayers are with you and your family.
Your Dad sounds like a very good and proud man~~God Bless him and may he rest with the Lord.
Prayers up for you and your family RedCell. May God keep this proud Marine in his tender loving care.
I’m Sorry for your Loss, and my Prayers are with you.
Prayers out for you and yours.
I know he is smiling with pride from above.
God bless you.
When you wrote: "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."
I lost it... Thank God for all the parents in this world who took the time to raise their kids right. What a beautiful gift they give us, even during the worst of times when we don't understand it as kids...
God Bless!
I’m so sorry for you. My grandmother just passed from a stroke, so I guess we’re both have it pretty rough right now. Her death was mercifully quick. Maybe she is thanking your Dad up in Heaven for his service to our country.
Memorial PING for a man who died a proud Marine.
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