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Safe passage Dad...

from WinCustomize Forums

I've been away for awhile if you haven't noticed.  The title of this post is taken from a sign at the entrance of Bath National Cemetery located in Bath, NY.  My father was buried there with full Military honors on February 23rd, 2009.  He was 61.  Over the past month, my Dad had been suffering from the effects of liver cancer (we know he'd been sick much longer now).  He passed away on February 19th, 10 months to the day that my Grandfather passed.  It's been real rough lately for my family, but we are strong and we will persevere.  My Dad and I were separated when I was only 8 years old and for the next 16 years we never spoke.  So my memories of him are very limited.  But I'm finding out that he was quite a guy.

My Dad served in Vietnam from 1968 until the end of the conflict.  First with the Air Force and then as an Army Ranger.  In that time, he shed much blood and earned a chest full of medals, most notably the 4 Purple Hearts for wounds he suffered during combat.  The stories I've heard in the last two weeks about my Dad have made me very proud to be his Son and sad that my early views of him were poisioned by the opinions of others.  I'm glad I got to spend some time with him before he went.

I'm also so thankful for all the kind folks at the Canandaigua, NY Veterans Hospital who made my Dads last couple of days as comfortable as possible for him.  They and anyone that works with Veterans are truely gifted human beings in my opinion.

I've found that it's hard to watch a hero die.

 

19,475 views 31 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

messiah, my thought's are with you hon, this year it's been 10 years since Dad died, and it's lonely, as he was my best friend, so I truly 'do' know how you feel... and your Dad was a wonderful man.

You, and your family, have my deepest sympathies, and I'm here if you ever want to drop me a line.. :)

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

My condolences, m1. Feel the same about my own late father.

Your hero did not die. Not the part that made him immortal. Check the mirror for that. Look at your siblings, your children and theirs.

When my wife passed I was left with many feelings I couldn't cope with. I still find it hard at times, but with the help and advice of friends like Mark and Ed I am learning day by day.

You'll find that the severity and suddenness of the attacks of raw grief will become less frquent with time. Let that happen. No one can tell you how to grieve. The best to hope for is friends who'll listen when you speak and just be there.

Just give it time. That sounds hackneed but it's true...believe me...I've lost both my parents. Be grateful for the times you had, without regrets (I doubt he'd count anything against you), and that you had the time to say "Goodbye".

Have faith, for the part of him that G-d gave him returned to it's maker: as all do.

Love to you m1, and an easing of the suffering. Rest easy: His passage was eased by The Shepherd.

Seth

 

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Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

After reading this, I'm just proud to know this man's Son!

:')  

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Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I sorry to hear about your loss, good thoughts to you and your family.

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Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

As always, at a loss for words, but both Doc and Cp said it perfectly.  Really very glad you were given the time you needed to know and understand your Father, not everyone gets that chance. <3 *hugs*

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Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

My thoughts go out to you and your family in this difficult time. My deepest condolences, messiah

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

It never seems that the right words can be found at these times.  Know that your Father will alwsys be remembered by and for the lives he touched.

Each generation will always have thier Heros and your Father was truly one.  Those that have served through the years, as myself, and I'm sure your Father would have gladly given whatever it would take to try and insure that those that followed us would never have to do so. 

If only the current and next generations would learn that from History.

My sincere and deepest condolencences to you and your family.

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

That's sad news. My condolences, messiah. :'(

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

your situation is similar to mine, both our dads fought in nam and we both didnt know our dad's very well either, but I do know that hearing stories about your dad from the people that knew him best are always good to hear..... i DO feel your pain, i know what its like.....you will still miss him every single day of your life.....im glad your proud of him.

 *a hug for you monkey face*

 

vamp xx

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

so sorry messiah....thanks for sharing a little about him with us.....

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

my condolences.

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Very sorry to hear of your loss. It's tough when you lose a father.

With the way you speak of him, it sounds like he was a great man.

You have my condolences.

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

My thoughts and prayers are with you, man. I lost my Dad to cancer that started as prostate, ended up in his throat, bones, lungs. My sister to pancreatic cancer, my Mom to breast cancer. The latter 2 just a year ago, within a week of each other. God bless.

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top

my condolences messiah

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

My condolences to you and your family.

 

 

 

 

Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

If only the current and next generations would learn that from History.

Memorial Day
Of every year
The little valiant
Flags appear
On every fallen
Soldier's grave--
Symbol of what
Each died to save.
And we who see
And still have breath--
Are we no wiser
For their death?---Unknown

Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top

My friend, as long as he is remembered he lives.  Celebrate his life and emulate his character, then you do him the greatest service.  My sympathies for you and yours.

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Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I'm very sorry for your loss, messiah.  My condolences to you and your family.

Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Sorry for your loss, messiah. It sounds like a great loss for his country as well.

 

 

 

 

Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top

My condolences messiah !

Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Hey buddy! Sorry to hear about your dad...was wondering where you had been. -_-

Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top

sorry to hear of your loss buddy :'(  

 

Back during the NIXON years , my Dad had just taken a new job at a 

Long Beach,Ca. Hospital - when then President Nixon entered with a 

condition .. he was there for awhile and soon he and my dad became

friends Nixon requested my dad whenever he could to help him ......

My Dad was having sooooo much fun hop-knobing with the president ....

 

Then BOOM ......... Cancer got him (age 45 ) they gave him 8 months

to live and 8 months later he was gone ..........

things about Nixon were not yet known at that time ... anyway ....

 

sooooo sorry for your lose  ... it just brougth up memories of my Dad ..... Thanks .. Az ...

Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Sounds like he was quite a guy, same age as my Dad,  sorry to hear of his passing my friend.. chin up, stay strong.

Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top

So sorry for your loss, messiah...it's hard to lose someone who means so much to you. Good memories be with you.

Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top

your in my thoughts brother