Sadly, Dad's been gone since the mid 80's. I was a very young 21 years old when he passed away after an ugly 3 week stay in the hospital. Dad was a proud member of America's Greatest Generation. He served under General Patton in the infantry. Wounded twice in combat, Dad saw a lot of action, and lived to see another day. He was my mentor, my hero, and my dad, all rolled into one. 10 feet tall and bulletproof-that was Dad. He didn't talk about his experiences a lot, but when he did, I'd be riveted to the chair, listening to what he did, what he went through. Stuff like the first time he saw a jet airplane, his run through Italy and so many others. He'd say he was just doing his job, and trying to survive. So many fine men didn't make it back, and of the ones that did, their numbers are dwindling quickly. Never pass up an opportunity to thank them for their service.
