"Mary, glad to see your comment, and you are exactly right.
Apathy is the biggest enemy…"
Political CHIPS - Conservative Heritage Institute for Principled Strength
My Veteran Hero, My Dad
As many of you know, my dad served in World War II as a member of the 15th Army Air Force, 483rd Heavy Bomb Group stationed in Italy in the summer of 1944, immediately after the D-Day invasion. He flew as a part of a B-17 "Flying Fortress" crew. I thank so many of you for your kind remarks after he presented his World War II experiences to a Political Chips group this past May. He really enjoyed meeting many of you and appreciated your interest in his service.
Like most veterans of that conflict, he never thought that he had accomplished anything extraordinary when he returned from the War. It was just a job that had to be done. After his return to the States, the Air Force promised him an officer's commission should he "re-up" for another tour of duty -- most likely in the Pacific Theater. And, like most veterans of that war, he turned down the opportunity. He had seen enough. He just wanted to be home.
After his war experience, he followed a path taken by nearly every other young man in his hometown of Gary, Indiana: he went to work at U.S. Steel. He also started taking college classes through Indiana University, Northwest campus. Both steel mill and school were short-lived, however, as he accepted a more desirable job with Illinois Bell Telephone. Starting as a telephone installer in rural Indiana, he spent over 40 years with the company, achieving management status and eventually retiring as the manager of the Indiana Bell office in Crown Point, my hometown.
He married my mother -- his first and only wife -- 63 years ago, raised three of us kids, and managed to vacation with us through nearly every state in the contiguous U.S., with the benefit of cheap gasoline, a series of station wagons, and two travel trailers. He made sure that his family went to church every Sunday and that his kids attended parochial school. He and my mother worked to establish and maintain a successful small rental property business.
The challenge of cancer entered Dad's life 23 years ago, as he successfully fought a particularly virulent strain, one that led one of his amazed surgeons to declare, "You must have had Someone upstairs looking out for you." Now, at age 86, he finds himself a caregiver once again, as my mother's health is in decline. But he carries on, like the good soldier he once was, and to the best of his ability. It's the way he has always approached life: with duty, honor, and responsibility.
Like most veterans of that conflict, he never thought that he had accomplished anything extraordinary when he returned from the War. It was just a job that had to be done. After his return to the States, the Air Force promised him an officer's commission should he "re-up" for another tour of duty -- most likely in the Pacific Theater. And, like most veterans of that war, he turned down the opportunity. He had seen enough. He just wanted to be home.
After his war experience, he followed a path taken by nearly every other young man in his hometown of Gary, Indiana: he went to work at U.S. Steel. He also started taking college classes through Indiana University, Northwest campus. Both steel mill and school were short-lived, however, as he accepted a more desirable job with Illinois Bell Telephone. Starting as a telephone installer in rural Indiana, he spent over 40 years with the company, achieving management status and eventually retiring as the manager of the Indiana Bell office in Crown Point, my hometown.
He married my mother -- his first and only wife -- 63 years ago, raised three of us kids, and managed to vacation with us through nearly every state in the contiguous U.S., with the benefit of cheap gasoline, a series of station wagons, and two travel trailers. He made sure that his family went to church every Sunday and that his kids attended parochial school. He and my mother worked to establish and maintain a successful small rental property business.
The challenge of cancer entered Dad's life 23 years ago, as he successfully fought a particularly virulent strain, one that led one of his amazed surgeons to declare, "You must have had Someone upstairs looking out for you." Now, at age 86, he finds himself a caregiver once again, as my mother's health is in decline. But he carries on, like the good soldier he once was, and to the best of his ability. It's the way he has always approached life: with duty, honor, and responsibility.
Comment
-
Comment by Yvonne Starks on November 11, 2010 at 9:42am -
First paragraph dittos, Leah.
-
Comment by Yvonne Starks on November 11, 2010 at 9:41am
-
So warmly written and expressed, Kim. Veterans and fathers---and often men in general---just do not get the credit, appreciation, and warmth from our society that they should. You have combined it all in your conveyance of love and respect along with wonderful childhood memories.
Being one in the Political Chips group who was fortunate enough to meet and hear your father that meeting in May, I remembered taking photographs of him, your also-served mother, all of you together, and a couple others---his bombadier jacket, etc. So, decided to look it up on the PHOTOS pages here where they were posted so others could see him now---either again or for the first time.
As I write this--go to pages 89-91--other veterans also there from that evening in the pics are Sam Bradley (April Clark's father), our Political Chips member vets--Tim, Larry, Roger (WTP), and Bill. (hope I didn't miss anyone)....
Thank you all.
-
Comment by Leah Herron on November 11, 2010 at 8:22am -
Kim, I was one of those in attendance to hear your dad this past May. I love hearing the stories of our Veterans.
My dad's story is different that most. He is a Veteran of the Korean war. My grandfather owned and operated a dairy farm in Arkansas. He contracted TB and was unable to operate the farm. The army told him that one of his boys needed to stay home and keep the dairy going. That was my dad! While his brothers served overseas, my dad kept the farm operating. When the war ended, and his brothers came home, my dad was sent to England to work on reconstruction projects. He served 18 months in a non-combat capacity. While he does not have big stories to tell, he is my hero! He did what was needed, as did so many others, to keep our country going.
Your childhood reminds me a lot of mine. We camped our way through much of the United States. Those whirlwind, two-week, driving vacations leave a big, happy memory in my mind. My parents celebrated their 58th anniversary this past spring. I'm so lucky to have my dad.
A big thank you to all who served and are serving to keep us safe!
-
Comment by Christina Blair on November 11, 2010 at 8:14am -
Thanks for sharing Kim, your Dad is amazing!
Thank you for your support!
Latest Activity
Mary C. Weaver commented on W Dale Russell's blog post Speaking out !"What must be done is to shake the apathy and gnorance of a large part of our citizenry!! …"
Leslie Schmidt posted a blog postObamacare Donor-Gate Scandal Looming Over White House
May 18, 2013Courtesy…See More
W Dale Russell posted a blog postSpeaking out !
It is time for Conservatives to publicly speak out on issues in our back yards.Here in an example…See More
Mary C. Weaver liked Leslie Schmidt's blog post Federal Court Slams Obama's Use of Recess Appointment Power
Jeffrey G. Locke commented on Leslie Schmidt's blog post Federal Court Slams Obama's Use of Recess Appointment Power"The court doing its job guided by the constitution. Like a well-oiled machine!
Take that imposter!"
Jeffrey G. Locke liked Leslie Schmidt's blog post Federal Court Slams Obama's Use of Recess Appointment PowerJeffrey G. Locke liked Leslie Schmidt's blog post Federal Court Slams Obama's Use of Recess Appointment Power
PoliticalCHIPS via TwitterNew Jersey Usurps First And Second Amendment Rights - @Jarkesy Political http://t.co/j7Fk4gUtrA
PoliticalCHIPS via TwitterBacklash Against Common Core - Eagle Forum http://t.co/8lylUu6Z0K via @EagleForum
Political CHIPS - Conservative Heritage Institute for Principled Strength via Facebook
The national news media haven’t discovered it, but the issue that is bringing out hundreds…
See MorePolitical CHIPS - Conservative Heritage Institute for Principled Strength via FacebookObama Administration Lied to America!…
See More
Political Chips's video was featuredMilton Friedman - Greed
In his book "Capitalism and Freedom" (1962) Milton Friedman (1912-2006) advocated minimizing the role of government in a free market as a means of creating p...
Political Chips posted a videoMilton Friedman - Greed
In his book "Capitalism and Freedom" (1962) Milton Friedman (1912-2006) advocated minimizing the role of government in a free market as a means of creating p...
Sponsored Ads
Badge
© 2013 Created by Political Chips.
You need to be a member of Political CHIPS to add comments!
Join Political CHIPS