Father's Day 2009

Well all, it's that time again, when we pay homage to those that contributed half of our DNA. So in the spirit thereof, I'd like to tell you all about two men that shaped my life, my father, and his father.

My father is, by any standard that matters, a brilliant man. I can't even begin to recall the number of nights that we stayed up until 11pm working on algebra, geometry, science of all sorts (he was my 'lab safety' for many years of science fairs), and all the weekends that we spent working on this or that project. I still have a bunch of the model airplanes that my father and I made together. We are still slowly working on an RC aircraft (we'll get to it Dad, I PROMISE!). But more than the 'stuff' that we did together, was the stuff that we talked about. My parents and I have sat up nights talking about everything from women, to nuclear fusion as a realistic power source. My dad has a unique and very well-researched opinion on just about anything, and had no problem working me through them, no matter how long it took me to get the concept. He's been there through every woman, every job, every life experience, and I think it's just amazing, looking back. He may not have experienced everything I did, but he has always been there as a sounding board, if nothing else. Even when conversations got heated (I was a hellion as a teen), he always attempted to get me to see reason, or at least calm down long enough to find answers for myself. Thank you Dad, from the bottom of my heart.

The second man that I want to talk about is my Dad's dad, my grandfather. He is, and always will be, a genuine United States HERO. Born 1917 to German parents in Pennsylvania, he was drafted into the Army for WWII. He would have volunteered, for the Army, but his draft number was something retardedly low, like 17 or somesuch. He completed Basic Training, and was trained as a Military Policeman, eventually assigned to the 44th Infantry Division, Atlantic Theatre. He, along with the 33 MP's under his direction, assaulted Omaha Beach on D-Day. Of the 33, 3 survived. I have had the great honor to speak with 2 of them, and they both were adamant that if anyone else had lead them that day, they would have all died on that beach. His unit was assigned to guard Buckingham Palace in London, and on two separate occasions, he saved the life of Queen Elizabeth (yes, THAT Queen Elizabeth). He applied to push the Germans back into their homeland, and was denied due to his 'German heritage'. After the war, he returned to his job as a machinist, part-timing as a barber. He married his sweetheart, and in 1947, my father (first of two) was born. I didn't know my Grandfather as well as I wish I would have, but he was directly responsible for my choice to join the military, and to join the Army. The man I remember (he went back to God 2 Jan 2006, 3 days after I arrived in Iraq) was kind, caring, with a core of steel. He took no flak from anyone. Period. He was an avid mechanic, often fixing 4 or 5 lawnmowers at a time, even well into his 80s. The war took a good portion of his hearing, and that was hard on all of us, but it didn't change his outlook on life. Before my Grandmother died December 29 1999, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, which proves to me that no matter what, love soldiers on. I miss you Granddad, for all the stories that you never told, all the time we didn't get to spend together. But God is good, and we'll see each other again, I'm certain.

I encourage you all to go out, and at least thank your fathers. Without them, you wouldn't be here. They may have left you behind or done you wrong, but that made you strong. They may have been there for you, and for that there is nothing that you could possibly do to repay them. But remember your fathers, and surrogate fathers, stepfathers (they CHOSE to stick around), and grandfathers. Pray for them if they're still with us, and remember them if they have gone home.

Until Next Time!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!