A PATRIOT'S PASSING

Me ^ | 12/19/01 | Self

[TheRightGuy]

A PATRIOT’S 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 30’s 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 70’s.

He took an early retirement, disgusted by the increasing powers of Teacher’s 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 he’s gone.

I ask you not to grieve with me,
but to CELEBRATE the passing of a true PATRIOT!

Thank you.

TRG, and family

[Tasha]

Bump!

[cmsgop]

Great tribute.! I raise my Glass!

You Take Care Friend!

[ClancyJ]

So very sorry for your loss. God bless you and all of his loved ones. Please remember that you have been greatly blessed to have him for a father. You will carry him with you daily in your heart from now on. A good man for a father is a wonderful lifelong blessing.

[meadsjn]

Our condolences and prayers. May God bless your father and rest his soul.

[MissAmericanPie]

The loss of a man of your Dad's caliber is certainly the world's loss and a reason to grieve. May I offer my deepest sympathy, we grieve but the Angels sing for joy, a good man has gone home to his eternal reward. Amen for the time to come when there will be no more partings, no more tears nor sorrow, only joy forever in the present, forever in the presence of the Lord.

[IronJack]

I ask you not to grieve with me, but to CELEBRATE the passing of a true PATRIOT!

How about if we do both?

[JEC]

Dad was a SeaBee. God Bless both of them and America.

[Rowdee]

It is an honor to read of someone who lived and believed in what America is supposed to be....

God Bless this Patriot and provide his family comfort in the knowledge of how great this man was.

[billhilly]

What a wonderful man he must have been. You are justifiably proud of him. God rest his soul., and comfort you and yours.

[woollyone]

God bless you through these times and His best to you and your family RightGuy.

[mafree]

My condolences to you and your family- maybe your father is with mine someplace in heaven where the good husbands and fathers who loved their country are.

[Fred Mertz]

Thank you for sharing and celebrating your Dad's wonderful life as a patriot. My prayers go out to his family and friends.

[Pegita]

..."O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years

Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears!

America! America! God shed His grace on thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!"

We thank you, TRG, for sharing the passing of your Dad with us, and we rejoice that God graced America, and your family, with the presence of this wonderful man. And so we celebrate ...

Pegita

[billhilly]

God bless you. I did not know that your mom had passed away. Merry Christmas to you and your family. My mom and dad both passed away in the summer of 1999. Sometimes I feel very vulnerable without them. Just knowing they are there, when they are alive, means so much. Dave

[MadelineZapeezda]

May his Memory be Eternal.

[MadelineZapeezda]

in a tough Ohio steel town.........Youngstown, Cleveland or Mingo Junction??????

[solzhenitsyn]

Awfully sad that you had to lose him, TRG, but I'm glad that you had such a father.

Guys like your Dad really did save the world in WWII, and they've been the mainstay of this country in the years since. Thanks for telling us about your father, TRG. Here's to the memory of a great man.

These last words aren't for you, but for all the young people out there: never pass up an opportunity to honor your parents. Do it while you can. And if you're lucky enough to have parents who are in their old age, spend time with them every chance you get. Enjoy your parents while you can.

[RedWing9]

A Chicagoland bump for a friend... Sorry I got here so late Jeff. May our Lord and our God find comfort in your fathers presence. His patriotism will shine brightly in heaven.

Now go have a beer in his honor! :)

[expose]

My prayers

[kayak]

TRG ~~~ sounds to me like one of his greatest accomplishments was raising a mighty fine son!

My prayers for your family for I know that even as you celebrate his promotion, you also mourn. May God be with all of you!