My Pop passed this morning

wiredone · Post by **wiredone** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 1:15 pm

My Dad, who was a woodworker by hobby, passed quietly this morning after a year long battle with lung cancer. He just turned 84 last week.
He was a member of the "greatest generation" according to Tom Brokaw. I think so too. He taught me what I needed to know about a lot of stuff. tools, machinery, you know, all the important things.
We were never very "close" and I never understood him at all until I met my T.I. at Lackland AirForce Base in the spring of 76. THEN I new my dad. He was a Drill instructor in the Army after WWII, and went on to become what is referred to as a "Mustang" Lieutenant. Some of you may not know what this means, but some will.
I am alone out here in the desert and have no one to commiserate with so I thought I would unload a little on my new friends, hope you don't mind.
He was a Great American, who lived with ideals that he learned and adopted during the great depression and was deeply saddened with the state of his nation today. He was a Patriot. I am proud to be his son.
Thanks for listening.

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 1:30 pm

My deepest condolences, wiredone.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 1:36 pm

First, condolences!:)

I truly under the 'mustang' meaning.

The best officers I encountered started as enlisted. They understood!

The best recruit in my recruit platoon was going to ocs AFTER enlisted boot camp. He had the right stuff!!!

RIP

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 1:46 pm

My deepest condolences to you wiredone.

judaspre1982 · Post by **judaspre1982** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 2:23 pm

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getnby41 · Post by **getnby41** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 2:24 pm

Sorry for your loss.

gchapman · Post by **gchapman** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 2:56 pm

First of all, my condolences to you.

Second, I didn't really get to know my dad until I joined the Air Force and went thru training. He was a POW in Germany in WWII and after being in the military for a couple of years I had a lot better understanding of some of his attitudes and mindset.

I agree with JPG, most of the good officers that I served under were former enlisted that went on to become officers.

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 3:30 pm

My best to you in this sad time.
Parents and patriots are wonderful to be close to, and hard to lose.

mrhart · Post by **mrhart** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 4:02 pm

I can only offer the same condolences as others here have.
It seems most here that are posting have a few regrets about not know ing their fathers better. You are overlooking that you knew them at all, that is the blessing. From someone who lost their father in 1972 at age 8, and mother never remarried, I'm envious of you all.
Hopefully you have some fond memories sir and maybe some of his old tools as I do. When I grab some old tool that was my dads, I am thinking about it the whole time I'm using it. Might be kinda weird, but it's like he's helping.
Best of memories to you sir.

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 6:00 pm

My sympathies to be sure.

My Dad passed away a few years ago and it still stings. But then I remember the good times and the things he taught me. He is always with me. I have passed much of what he taught me on to my children and so he will continue on.

Our children are our legacy.