OT: In Memory of My Father ~ "Bless Em All"
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OT: In Memory of My Father ~ "Bless Em All"
Sorry this is so long, but I wanted to share this with all the gang here...
Like the good soldier he was, my father was "called up" on Friday, February 1st, and "reported for duty" up above. We figure God must have needed a professional locksmith, experienced flight chief and an all-around great guy who loved to talk about boats, hunting and fine guns -- especially the older lever actions and single shots. He loved to shoot too; sure hope they have a nice shooting range up there!
The man in me is OK with this, as he passed very peacefully in his sleep and is no longer suffering. And my mom, 3 brothers and I all realize that 89.5 years is a pretty good run for anybody. But yes, the "little boy" in me still has some weak moments... And I probably will for the rest of my life...
I was so very impressed with the Air Force Honor Guard at the cemetery service on Wednesday. On a cloudy day with a drizzling rain, the sound of Taps from the bugle was such a beautiful sound. I used to play taps at military funerals back in high school -- I admit I did it for the money -- but I never realized just what it meant to the families until that moment. Then the two Air Force guards at graveside completed the beautiful flag folding ceremony with such perfect precision -- tight, crisp hand motions, while standing so solemn and silent -- and they treated our flag with such care and reverence. Wow...
Then the commanding officer presented the carefully folded flag to my mother and said those words "On behalf of the President and a grateful nation..." and there wasn't a dry eye around... Words can't convey the beauty of that moment -- so sad, but yet so awe inspiring -- I was proud and happy and crying all at the same time... It seems really weird to say it, but yes, it was an awesome moment. One I shall remember forever...
From a prior post announcing the completion of Project Sword, some of you may remember that my father was a WWII veteran. He was very proud of the fact he enlisted in the Army Air Corp right after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was good with machines and equipment, and wanted to help keep our planes in the air, and he did that as a T/Sgt and Flight Chief in charge of other "ground pounders". He started his service in England on an RAF base north of London, maintaining British Spitfires flown by American pilots of the famed Eagle Squadrons. (Some of the Brit pilots used to pee on the tail wheels for good luck which caused them to rust! Not so lucky for the ground crews...)
The U.S. Army Air Corp took over flight operations in 1942 and formed up as the 4th Fighter Group of the 8th Air Force -- the highest-scoring group of the 8th (for air & ground kills). Check out the books "1,000 Destroyed" or "Escort to Berlin" for a good read. In 1943 they switched to the massive P-47 Thunderbolts, and then the mighty P-51 Mustangs came on base in 1944; first the B's, then the D models with drop tanks. I could drone on and on with stories, but suffice to say that when Hermann Goering looked up and saw P-51 fighters flying over Berlin (the "little friends", as the bomber crews used to call them); he knew "the jig was up". Those fighters were from my Dad's base in Debden -- the famed red-nosed Debden Eagles. Love those Mustangs!
Here's a picture of my Dad from back then:
And here's a pix of him shooting his favorite Ballard .38-55 single-shot (hey, it has a lever!):
In honor of my Dad, I'll close with the words from his favorite song from WWII...
BLESS 'EM ALL
Bless 'em all, bless 'em all; the long and the short and the tall.
Bless all the sergeants and W O 1's; Bless all the corporals and their blinkin' sons.
'Cause we're saying goodbye to them all; as back to their billets they crawl.
You'll get no promotion this side of the ocean; So cheer up me lads, Bless 'em all!
RIP: T/Sgt Dean W. Hubbard
Son ~ Brother ~ WWII Vet ~ Husband ~ Father ~ Grandfather ~ NRA Member ~ and My Hero
July 2, 1918 -- February 1, 2008
As we say goodbye to yet another of "The Greatest Generation"... Bless 'Em All!
Old No7
Like the good soldier he was, my father was "called up" on Friday, February 1st, and "reported for duty" up above. We figure God must have needed a professional locksmith, experienced flight chief and an all-around great guy who loved to talk about boats, hunting and fine guns -- especially the older lever actions and single shots. He loved to shoot too; sure hope they have a nice shooting range up there!
The man in me is OK with this, as he passed very peacefully in his sleep and is no longer suffering. And my mom, 3 brothers and I all realize that 89.5 years is a pretty good run for anybody. But yes, the "little boy" in me still has some weak moments... And I probably will for the rest of my life...
I was so very impressed with the Air Force Honor Guard at the cemetery service on Wednesday. On a cloudy day with a drizzling rain, the sound of Taps from the bugle was such a beautiful sound. I used to play taps at military funerals back in high school -- I admit I did it for the money -- but I never realized just what it meant to the families until that moment. Then the two Air Force guards at graveside completed the beautiful flag folding ceremony with such perfect precision -- tight, crisp hand motions, while standing so solemn and silent -- and they treated our flag with such care and reverence. Wow...
Then the commanding officer presented the carefully folded flag to my mother and said those words "On behalf of the President and a grateful nation..." and there wasn't a dry eye around... Words can't convey the beauty of that moment -- so sad, but yet so awe inspiring -- I was proud and happy and crying all at the same time... It seems really weird to say it, but yes, it was an awesome moment. One I shall remember forever...
From a prior post announcing the completion of Project Sword, some of you may remember that my father was a WWII veteran. He was very proud of the fact he enlisted in the Army Air Corp right after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was good with machines and equipment, and wanted to help keep our planes in the air, and he did that as a T/Sgt and Flight Chief in charge of other "ground pounders". He started his service in England on an RAF base north of London, maintaining British Spitfires flown by American pilots of the famed Eagle Squadrons. (Some of the Brit pilots used to pee on the tail wheels for good luck which caused them to rust! Not so lucky for the ground crews...)
The U.S. Army Air Corp took over flight operations in 1942 and formed up as the 4th Fighter Group of the 8th Air Force -- the highest-scoring group of the 8th (for air & ground kills). Check out the books "1,000 Destroyed" or "Escort to Berlin" for a good read. In 1943 they switched to the massive P-47 Thunderbolts, and then the mighty P-51 Mustangs came on base in 1944; first the B's, then the D models with drop tanks. I could drone on and on with stories, but suffice to say that when Hermann Goering looked up and saw P-51 fighters flying over Berlin (the "little friends", as the bomber crews used to call them); he knew "the jig was up". Those fighters were from my Dad's base in Debden -- the famed red-nosed Debden Eagles. Love those Mustangs!
Here's a picture of my Dad from back then:
And here's a pix of him shooting his favorite Ballard .38-55 single-shot (hey, it has a lever!):
In honor of my Dad, I'll close with the words from his favorite song from WWII...
BLESS 'EM ALL
Bless 'em all, bless 'em all; the long and the short and the tall.
Bless all the sergeants and W O 1's; Bless all the corporals and their blinkin' sons.
'Cause we're saying goodbye to them all; as back to their billets they crawl.
You'll get no promotion this side of the ocean; So cheer up me lads, Bless 'em all!
RIP: T/Sgt Dean W. Hubbard
Son ~ Brother ~ WWII Vet ~ Husband ~ Father ~ Grandfather ~ NRA Member ~ and My Hero
July 2, 1918 -- February 1, 2008
As we say goodbye to yet another of "The Greatest Generation"... Bless 'Em All!
Old No7
"Freedom and the Second Amendment... One cannot exist without the other." © 2000 DTH
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a wonderful tribute to a member of a very special generation. Thank you so much for sharing. I pray my son would remember me so. I shall raise a glass in honor of your dad and his loving son this evening. God Bless
Mike Johnson,
"Only those who will risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Eliot
"Only those who will risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Eliot
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What a wonderful tribute to your Dad, "Jack". I lost my own father at age 87 in Dec. 2005. He also had a full military Honor Guard and went to his rest in a coffin with Eagles and the US Army insignia on the corners.
Rest in peace, Col A.J.D, USA, Ret.
Rest in peace, Col A.J.D, USA, Ret.
"Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale, and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested, exiled or hanged"....President Abraham Lincoln
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Thanks for sharing...
An excellent tribute....
Many of had father's in that "Greatest Generation". I pray we can live up to their memory.
Don
Many of had father's in that "Greatest Generation". I pray we can live up to their memory.
Don
Great tribute to obviously a great man. I lost my Dad at the same age in 2000. My only regret was not asking enough questions about is life before kids etc. Still have great memories of time shared with him. Best of luck to you and yours. Keep the memories and stories alive.
Happiness is a comfortable stump on a sunny south facing mountain.
My condolences to one and all in your family. Congratulations to your dad on living such a good life so well appreciated by his son and to you for as fine a tribute as I've ever read.
Sincerely,
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
No 7,
Thank you for sharing your father's story. My own father passed away in 1973 when I was only 15 years old. I'm 50 now and I still miss him.
You and your family have my condolences.
Happy Trails and God Bless,
Thank you for sharing your father's story. My own father passed away in 1973 when I was only 15 years old. I'm 50 now and I still miss him.
You and your family have my condolences.
Happy Trails and God Bless,
If you're gonna be stupid ya gotta be tough-
Isiah 55:8&9
It's easier to fool people than it is to convince them they have been fooled.
Isiah 55:8&9
It's easier to fool people than it is to convince them they have been fooled.
Sorry to hear of your Dads passing. But from our past conversations it does indeed sound like he had a darn good run. I am glad to hear that he passed peacefully since you had mentioned that he had been feeling poorly. I will continue to include you and your family in my prayers.
Jeremy
GySgt USMC Ret
To err is human, To forgive is devine, Neither of which is Marine Corps policy
Semper Fidelis
GySgt USMC Ret
To err is human, To forgive is devine, Neither of which is Marine Corps policy
Semper Fidelis
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Thats strange. My Dad passed on Jan. 26 of last year. ---SixgunPapa wrote:Much thanks for sharing, and my condolences. I lost my father a year and 2 weeks ago. He was a vet from the Korean War, or police action, as it is sometimes called.
God bless all those that made it possible for us to be free!
Papa
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Ole #7,
It nice to hear of a nice write up concerning your Dad. It shows the respect you had for your Dad which is reflected in the quality time you shared. I experienced a very similar experience with my Dad who passed Jan. 26 of 2007. While it was hard to deal with it, the pain subsided more quickly than it did for my brother who did nothing but argue my Dad all his life. Everything was at peace between my Dad and me during the time on his deathbed.
Your Dad sure looked like a very happy dude with that Ballard in his hand.
--------------Sixgun
It nice to hear of a nice write up concerning your Dad. It shows the respect you had for your Dad which is reflected in the quality time you shared. I experienced a very similar experience with my Dad who passed Jan. 26 of 2007. While it was hard to deal with it, the pain subsided more quickly than it did for my brother who did nothing but argue my Dad all his life. Everything was at peace between my Dad and me during the time on his deathbed.
Your Dad sure looked like a very happy dude with that Ballard in his hand.
--------------Sixgun
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My prayers are with you and yours. Our dad's generation is rapidly disappearing, and with them, so is a type. These men and women who faced what must be the greatest evil ever, and came through it to become quite, unassuming heros. Today, when I see an elderly man, and find out that he served, and occassionally what he accomplished, I am still amazed. God be with you and yours.
Jeepnik AKA "Old Eyes"
"Go low, go slow and preferably in the dark" The old Sarge (he was maybe 24.
"Freedom is never more that a generation from extinction" Ronald Reagan
"Every man should have at least one good rifle and know how to use it" Dad
"Go low, go slow and preferably in the dark" The old Sarge (he was maybe 24.
"Freedom is never more that a generation from extinction" Ronald Reagan
"Every man should have at least one good rifle and know how to use it" Dad