Flashback Friday...Remembering Dad with pride.

I've always known there was something about my family that is special.

I don't remember a particular time when we learned it, or if we were ever sat down and taught about it.
But it's always been there.

It is there when we see a flag.
It is there when we say the pledge of allegiance.
It is there at a ballgame when the National Anthem is played.
It is there when we see a man or woman in a military uniform.
It is there when we look at a purple heart medal or unfold and examine an aged telegram.
It is there when we hear those few notes on a trumpet.

Pride.
Not the prideful, can't be wrong type of pride.
Just simple American pride.
And it was instilled, however silently, by knowing what our Dad sacrificed for us and our country.
It is such a special feeling.
I wish he never would have had to endure what he did at such a young age, but he did.
And we are so glad to have called this American hero,
Dad.

Here is what Susie said at the closing of Dad's service:

Peace on earth...
That's what our dad fought for.
He left in peace and we are grateful for that.

We are thankful for the staff at Whittenberg that took such good care of him the last few years.

When your roles reverse and you become the parent to your parent and their quality of life diminishes, we cannot be sad that they have left this world and now have eternal life with those who have gone before them.

In our service today we have tried to celebrate the life of our Dad, our American hero.

Many of you know that Mom's sister, Mary, lived in Washington DC and in our visits there Dad would always grumble that there was nothing for the World War II vets....There was a Korean Memorial, there was a Vietnam Memorial.
So when we heard that they were building the World War II Memorial, I just prayed that Dad would be able to live long enough to visit there. We watched anxiously as they began to build it and they dedicated it on Memorial day 2004.
The world war II Memorial honors the 16 million who served in the Armed Forces of the United States, the more than 400,000 who died and all who supported the war effort from home.

Dad was living in assisted living in Whittenberg and the following year 16 of us took him to see the Memorial. Like Dave said he was so touched when strangers came up to him and thanked him for his service. It was one of the proudest days that we had with our Dad.The next year I found this video by Dr. Sam Bierstock. We'd like to close with that. it was made for those men and women who served our country in World War II, the greatest war, to whom we owe so much. We want to share this with you and thank any of you who have served and those that are serving. Dad has a grandson now, James, we appreciate your service, James; And to all those great grand kids to come may you share those stories. Conner asked me last night, somebody said something about Dad being a hero, he says "was he a hero?" We need to share those stories with all those great grand kids that will follow.

So please watch this video and may Dad go in peace.

We closed the service with this song that left us on our feet standing next to our hero:

"If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.

I’d thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
‘ Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there's pride in every American heart,
and its time we stand and say.

That I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

That I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA."