My Father - The Hero of My Heart

Tonight I write this message in the memory of my Father, who's battle with cancer was finally won last evening, and he started on a new begining.

I write this because my Father, while a great man to me, was a great man overall. He was born during the early 1920's and grew up in the depression-era. He was the second youngest of 4 boys, his two older brothers have already gone ahead of him into death. When he was but 17, he joined the Merchant Marines, over the objections of his Mother and Father, but he was drawn to service by a spirit of need, something not many of us have had to deal with in our lives, thanks to men like my Father, and many other great men that served their country in WWII.

When my Father turned 18, he immediately transferred into the Navy, and was tested to determine his position. He was given two choices, either Submarine duty, working with the ordnance, or ordnance disposal. My Father chose Ordnance Disposal and was sent to Clark Field in the Pacific.

Clark Island was a "shared" island. Where the American's operated a landing field and a marine area, but also, the Japanese held parts of the Island as well. My Father's job was to gather up unexploded ordnance and remove it from where it might cause more casualties. Ordnance Disposal is usually a pretty safe practice, but somehow on Clark Field, one afternoon, the Ammunitions Dump caught fire. Without thinking of his own safety, my father jumped into the Fire Truck on the base, and drove headlong into the fire. He fought back a blaze so two other service personnel could get to the other side of the dump and evacuate the villagers who lived there. My Father was left fighting the fire for nearly an hour on his own. Once the village was cleared, the others returned, and the three of them fought the fire from the inside. From the outside, the base commander would not allow anyone else into the fire, because from where they were, it looked to be a hopeless fight.

18 hours later, three men emerged from the smoke that clogged everyone's view. My father, bloodied from multiple lacerations suffered from the shrapnel flying by, and his two helpers. My Father refused the Purple Heart, even though his commander put him up for it. Instead, the Navy rewarded my Father the Medal of Heroism. My Father was lucky enough to be interviewed by a Time/Life Correspondent and they made a record of the whole story. My Father, in his usual dismissiveness, said he wasn't a hero, he was only doing what everyone else would have done if they would have been in the position he was in that day.

I choose to remember my Father tonight as a hero. A Hero to a grieving son, a Hero to a grateful nation, and another WWII Veteran that has died this year. I am honored to have known my Father, to be His son, and to carry his name. My Father was not only my Hero, but the a true Hero to many. I proudly display as my Icon, the Medal of Heroism, while my Father wouldn't ever feel comfortable playing the role of a Hero, tonight, I know he waits for me to arrive, but before I go, I must let all that I know, that my Father was and is a Hero.

Thank you Father for making me the man I am today. For putting up with me during those troublesome teen years, and for giving me the ability to succeed. Without you Father, I would be nothing. I look forward to seeing you again, and remember Dad, you can't go visiting all those Quasar's without me.


I love you, your grieving, your proud Son.

I don't mean to be a grouch or anything, but shouldn't this be on off-topic? :\

My heartfelt condolences Bob. I'm truly sorry for your loss.

What a beautiful tribute!

I too am sorry for your loss Bob...

Blessings to you and your family...






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Bob,

I am sorry to hear about your loss. To you and your family, I offer my sincerest condolences.

My sympathy and condolences to you and yours Bob.

oh Bob! I am so sorry! And what a great memory your father has left in you. You and your family will be in my thoughts! *hugs*

My condolances go out to you and yours.

That was really beautiful Bob. Best wishes to your and your family in this difficult time.

A fine figure of a man, your dad! A proud and elegant tribute you've done here, thanks for sharing.

When the time comes, if my eulogy to my own father is half as good as that, I will be proud of myself.

He sounds like someone I would have liked to know.

My condolences on your loss.

I am so sorry for your loss. Your father sounds like a man of extraordinary courage and great personal integrity.

Treasure your memories and record the stories to pass on to your own children... they will be very grateful one day that you did (I wish I had a written record of my father's experiences).

God bless you and your family, now and in the future.

Sorry to hear of your loss Bob...he sounds like he was a great man who had a great son

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My deepest sympathies for your loss. I lost my father 3 years ago, and reading your post instantly brought me back to that moment. Your father was obviously quite a man, because he raised a son that is someone that I definitely admire. My heart goes out to you and to your family at this very difficult time.

Cristiano

I'm sorry to hear about your loss

Your father sounds like a wonderful man. Very touching tribute you've written.
Take care






~Olympia

Heartfelt Condolences, Bob.

Bob Bravo

My dear sweet friend,
I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my both my parents at a young age so long ago, but the hurt never really stops.

My heartfelt sympathy to you and your entire family...

May you be comforted by the wonderful memories that you hold in your heart...

With love, Baccara

What a wonderful tribute to your Father, even more, how fantastic that there was someone in your life that you could love and respect so much. Which must make the loss ever so more painful.

My condolences and sympathies Bob - the world is a lesser place for his loss.

What a wonderful tribute to a great man from a proud son. We can all only hope that our sons and daughters will pay as eloquent a tribute to us upon the starting our own new beginning some day.

Most “true” heroes are just like your father, uncomfortable and unwilling to take credit for their great deeds. It is thanks to men like your Dad that we now live in a free country. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.

I obviously did not know him but I was touched by your words. Know that through the story you shared that he now lives in my heart too. You and your family are in my thoughts prayers. Hold onto that faith that you will see him again one day.

Hugz… Billy

*hug* That was beautiful Bob. My heart goes out to you.

-aimee

Your father was truely a couragious and honorable man and you show great respect, honor and family values. Your words are seen and will be remembered as your fathers deeds have, with acknowledgement that he truely is a Hero and both of you Men of Honor, for the goodness you reflect in life will last for an Eternity.

May God Bless you and your family, and give you strength to persevere through this hard time. One day you will be together again. I am sorry for your loss as I am sorry we have all lost a Hero.

That was gorgeous! My heart-filled condolances go out to you Bob.

Bob your post moved me to tears, I'm so sorry for your loss. Below is a poem read out at my late father-in law's funeral, I think it's a beautiful piece of writing.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
(Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!

Mary Frye (1932)

That was a beautiful tribute, Bob. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.