Posted on 12/19/2001 5:49:08 PM PST by TheRightGuy
A PATRIOTS PASSING
He was born the youngest to immigrant parents at the onset of the Roaring 20s. In his teens he struggled through the depression years of the 30s in a tough Ohio steel town. Playing hardnose high school football gave him the opportunity to attend a college he could never otherwise afford.
The day after Pearl Harbor he left college to join the U.S. Army Air Corps, where he served as a 1st Lt. and B-24 bomber pilot on combat missions from bases in North Africa. Returning to the States in 43, he married his high school sweetheart, and served as a test pilot in the B-29 bomber program, based in New Mexico.
After the war, he completed his undergraduate and graduate education at Northwestern University and served as an elementary school teacher, at a time when a public education actually meant something.
He progressed into administration and served his far South Suburban Cook County community as School Superintendent for over 20 years. He also served as the Regional Superintendent for Special Education in South Suburban Cook County, Illinois during the 70s.
He took an early retirement, disgusted by the increasing powers of Teachers Unions and the ever-growing dominance of federal government programs.
He loved God, and was the ultimate churchman: a charter member and Elder Emeritus in his congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
HE LOVED HIS COUNTRY! He was a devoted husband, a loving father, and the best friend a man could ever have.
He was my Dad. And,. tonight hes gone.
I ask you not to grieve with me,
but to CELEBRATE the passing of a true PATRIOT!
Thank you.
TRG, and family
This will be the best Christmas he ever had. And now he needs no wings of steel to fly.
God bless you and your lovely wife and family in this time.
My father has a biography that reads a lot like your father's with respect to his service to this nation in World War II combat (U.S. Navy LCI Commander in the Pacific) and his commitment to it for decades following. He has been close to death several times over the last few years and the thoughts and prayers of many friends on this forum helped us through those times.
I know that your father is in a better place now, serving with distinction. I know you will see him again.
All of this reminds me of a saying a like to apply to my father:
"If I can be half the man my father was, and raise my sons to be twice the man I am ... I will have contributed greatly to society."
Again, may the Peace of God, that passeth all understanding comfort and keep you and your loved ones.
Mine has been gone for over 30. He, too, was a WWII Army Air Corp. vet stationed in New Guinea for three yrs. returning home diseased and permanently affected. But he raised 7 sons and ran his own business until his death.
I blame the heart attack at the age of 51 upon the 3pak a day habit. (Hint, hint.)
I lost my father, with a similar story to yours, on Veteran's Day, 2000.
It's hard, but his example will never leave you.
For five generations our family has always said the 121st Psalm before any journey and at the final journey.
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