Today you would be 90 years old and it's Veteran's Day.
I miss you every day.
I thank you so much for stepping in and being the father that I needed. I have read the statistics on girls who grow up without their dads. I totally would have been one.
I miss you so much.
Your gentle guiding but firm discipline was so needed when I was growing up. I always tell mother, your daughter, that you were able to finesse and charm me into minding when I was normally too stubborn to comply.
I wish you were here to help me with my son. He needs that firm hand, that my husband is unwilling and incapable of providing.
It makes me miss you that much more.

On your birthday at Boone Tavern in 1984, this day 25 years ago.





Service in the Philippines



On the beach in Hawaii on your way to the Philippines.
Goofing around with your buddies no doubt.
I can tell by the look on your face you are probably tipsy, but I don't blame you
you were so young and facing death; hell I would have drunk anything I could get my hands on.


You in your Army Air Corp uniform, your first stint in the service.
You were discharged when they found out you were married.
Married men weren't allowed to be flyer's in that new and dangerous branch of service, the precursor to the Air Force.
You wanted to be a flyer more than anything. You were later able to join back up in the regular Army and were sent to the Philippines.


You got sick when you were in the Philippines and the Army sent you home to die. Yes, that's what they told my grandmother, your wife. You obviously didn't die then. I attribute your survival to our strong will. I say "our" because we, your descendants, have all been blessed with this fighting Irish will to survive.

Thank you for raising and loving me. Thank you for fighting for our country.
I love you and I miss you.