My father passed away September 16th, at 0855. He was 81. He was a combat soldier who served three tours in Vietnam earning the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star, the Vietnamese Cross Of Gallantry w Palm device and numerous other medals. The following is my testament to him (with some small edits). I love you dad.
First, to know that my father was loved by so many people is truly a testament to the man that he was, and is, because my father lives on.
He may not be with us day-to-day, but he is in each of his children, and in his wife. He is in our hearts, he is in our souls, and he is in the makeup of who we are. And he gave each of us gifts.
My mother, got a loving partner of 56 years. They were each other's rock, their inspiration, their place of peace. Their happiness was as intertwined as two trees that grow together to become stronger than either one alone. And even as one tree passes from the seasons, it remains present and supports the other, so they are never truly alone.
My brother, got his love of athletics from my father. Dad was a golfer, a skier, a hiker and a handball player. I remember going on Volksmarches with him in Germany, which some of you in the military may have also gone on. I remember going skiing with him. I remember playing golf with him. I remember the day he got his hole in one.
To the oldest sister, he gave passion. He could be a very intense and passionate man. I remember he and I watching our beloved Redskins once again take it to the wire and not quite make it. I've never seen anyone get so lovingly frustrated. And yet there we were again next week, rooting for them again. Never say die.
To the younger sister, he gave his steadiness, his inner calm. It is one of the things that truly made him, a man of grace. When things were going wrong all around, or when under fire, he was a man of steady presence. He was a man you wanted with you, by your side. He was our rock in so may ways.
And to me, he gave his love of learning, of exploring. My father started out as a Tanker. An armor officer. Working with dangerous things, in dangerous places. And yet he never stopped learning. He became a man of science and math. A prodigious reader. A man who read the paper cover to cover and one or two books a week, every week, for decades.
But his most precious gift to us all, was one of time. Dad always had time for his wife, and his children. No matter how busy he was, or how involved in other things he might be, he always, always, made time for his family whenever they wanted, or needed, it. And time is a precious thing. You always think there will be more. But time is finite, and Dad knew this, and made the most of his.
So you see, he is gone now, but he is not gone at all. Because as you look at his children, his grandchildren and his great grandchildren, you see him. He is still here, all around us. I only hope, we have made him proud. I believe, that we have made him proud. And I know, that I am proud of him. And that I love him very much. And that I miss him, very very much.
Please remember one thing. In the lessons that he taught his children, his family, and in the impact he made on all of us here, he is not gone. He lives on, through each one of us. So please think of him once in a while, smile, and remember him. Remember his smile, his laughter, and his love. Know that, as he touched you, he changed you.
God Bless You All.
Regards,
-Bouncer-
