Today is the day we pause to honor our military heroes both in service and out of the service. My Daddy was very proud to be a Marine and though he never talked about it, he was the recipient of 2 Purple Hearts. He won them for valor in fighting. We, his children, had no idea that he had these medals until after he passed and we were preparing a display for his service. We went to the place that he stored his memories in a small unassuming carved chest he brought my Mom back from Korea. In there among other medals we found the 2 Purple Hearts.
My Dad was very proud of his service in the Marines and would have most definitely retired from service except that he stepped on a land mine in the Korean war and lost part of his leg. That never slowed him down. Mom said that he spent months in the military hospital learning how to use his new limb. My dad served in both the end of the 2nd World War and the Korean War. He also wore his crew cut very proudly for many years.
My Daddy had a great sense of humor and everyone knew if he didn’t tease and harass you he didn’t like you. I have to believe he is proud that all of his children grew up to be smart@$$e$!
He drank his coffee strong and black. He would reheat day old coffee and loved it reheated. Mom always said one day it will walk over to you! He also loved his Horseradish! OMG! He grew it at our farm in West Virginia. We had to leave the house when he ground it. The house would have to be aired out afterward as it would bring tears to your eyes, but Dad happily ground away shedding nary a tear.
Dad had no mechanical ability whatsoever and our home was filled with the remnants of his attempts. The riding mower he tried to tune up that NEVER ran again, the picnic table he built that you had to always keep someone at each end or it would tip over. Even when it was filled with people! Now that was an engineering feat! Then there was the time that he and my Uncle Bob decided to work on my Aunt Sis’ plumbing. With the blow torch, he set the kitchen ablaze. My little brother and I were left on the lawn as the firemen arrived to save the kitchen!
So to Daddy and all of our veterans and heroes currently serving in the war, here is a great big THANKS! We would not enjoy what we have today without each and every one of you.
I am sure that many of you have received the recent e-mails to send a card to a recovering soldier at Walter Reed. This is a hoax. Please read Walter Reed’s statement here. Instead they list organizations that you can make a monetary donation to.
If you happen to have a member of the military in your circle or your family be sure to give them a hug today and a great big “thank you”! If my Daddy were here I would! So I look heavenward and say “thanks” and give him that big blue eyed dimpled smile that he could never resist! Daddy loved his baby girl! Right back at ya, Jarhead!
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November 11, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Vicki W
What a beautiful tribute! I’m so glad you posted it.
November 11, 2007 at 8:48 pm
*Heidi*
Wow, Cindy, I agree. What a beautiful tribute to your daddy. My daddy is still alive and I do honor him today, Veteran’s Day. He served as Merchant Marine, and only in the recent years have the Merchant Marines received the honoray tribute from our country. He was a radio man, his nick name was Sparky. If you visit my blog you’ll notice my sister, Sallie, has a blog named Sparks in Life’s Engine, which she named after my Dad in a cool sort of way! My dad is a very lively person, as was your dad. He is a minister and still to this day has a church, preaching every single Sunday. He has stories that go back to the Merchant Marine ships and how some sank, and many were attacked, but he was always safe. I think God protected him, knowing He had a plan for my dad, that even at age 80, my dad would continue to preach the Gospel!
And, as if this isn’t long enough…My husband Mark is a Marine! He served for 4 years the end of the 70’s. He served proudly and once a Marine always a Marine. Siempr Fi.
I loved reading about your father. I honor him, my dad, my husband as well as the countless others who have served and served this day for our freedom!
Thanks for listening!
November 12, 2007 at 3:08 am
Christy
A very nice tribute to your Dad!
They had a lovely ceremony on Friday at school. The students were encouraged to invite their relatives who are Veterans to attemd. Many of those attending served in Korea and Vietnam. For many of them, it was the first time they had acknowledged or spoke about their service. It’s taken a long time for them to come to terms with those wars. My Grandfather served during World War II. He’s never spoken to us about it much.
My Dad served in the Navy. He would have been sent to Vietnam if I hadn’t come along when I did. He’s not into professional or college football, but you DO NOT interrupt him while he’s watching the Army-Navy game!