For those of you inclined to pray……..
Please say a prayer for the greatest man I’ve ever known. He was a career USAF NCO serving during the Vietnam War and peacetime for 21 years, 7 months and 18 days. He was an ejection seat specialist and every pilot that felt the need to test his work went home to their families.
He slipped the bonds of Earth this morning at 4:55am surrounded by those he loved as I slept beside him. He was the only hero I ever knew or needed. The world is a poorer place without him.
Rest easy dad. I love you and miss you.
I’m so sorry for your loss IS. I know he was a good man, because he raised such a good son. My prayers are with you and your family.
Seconded. Take care of you and yours.
This is my father and youngest brother about a month ago when we were fishing just below John Day Dam on the Columbia River with one of two keepers dad got on his final fishing trip. This one was 52.75″.
Not sure why the pic won’t load so here’s the link.
https://www.theburningplatform.com/wp-admin/upload.php?item=144624
Ditto from me as well. Sorry for all of our loss.
Cherish the good memories that you may have of him.
He sounds like he was a wonderful man and father. And you sir, a wonderful man and son. May the Lord be with you and your family during your time of grief.
Heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
Sorry for your loss. In my prayers.
God Bless IS.
I’m sure he is among loved ones and friends. He’ll see youagain. God bless.
Sorry to hear of your loss IS. My deepest condolences.
My late old man’s birthday just passed. If I could be half the father he was, I’d be twice the father I am. Condolences, I.S. Prayers forthcoming.
Please accept my condolences. Sorry for your loss, I.S.
Having lived the grief you now experience my prayers are with you . As boys we never want to be like our fathers , fortunately for most of us as men we hope we can be as good !
Prayers sent. May the Lord be with him and your family.
May God bless and comfort you and yours IS. I lost mine 01/25/15 at the age of 94. He was 82nd Airborne, WWII. There’s not a day goes by I don’t see his picture as a young warrior with his leather jump cover, bloused boots and .45 strapped to his hip. There’s not a day goes by I don’t thank God for having made him my earthly father. You’ll find time is the great equalizer. And beyond grief lies the warmth of memories….. of the man….. and his deeds.
Flashman: Just this last week the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment held a reunion at Ft Bragg, NC and celebrated 5 living WW2 veterans and a regimental change of command. One of the vets was my father’s company commander and one was in his platoon. I learned things about my father’s conduct under fire that he never told me. There were over 120 of us who had not known each other just days prior but after three days together we were in fact “family”. Many thanks to Frank Van Lunteren who has authored 3 books about the 504 in Holland, the Bulge and Anzio who brought us together with his research and writing and to Beverly Cooper-Meise who jump mastered the operation in the US.
All of us here feel your loss, IndenturedServant. Prayers for you and your family, friend.
He moved on from this physical realm but in the spiritual realm he’s branded in your heart forever. Pick up his sword and carry on, he showed you the way.
He left the physical realm but in the spiritual realm he’s branded in your heart forever. Pick up his sword and carry on. He showed you the way.
The tide goes out but leaves behind bright seashells on the sand,
the sun goes down but gentle warmth still lingers on the land,
the music stops yet echoes on in sweet refrains,
for everything that passes, something beautiful remains.
Respects from Asia.
Sincerest sympathy and prayers for you in your time of loss I/S. Getting to know you over time has given me an insight into just how good a man was your father to raise such a good man as yourself.
Our hearts go out to you and your family. B
Godspeed to your Dad.
Best I could do was give up-votes to all.
Think of the ones that grew up without a father.
Hang in there,Indecent.
I remember you saying a few months ago that he was about to die.He must have been a helluva fighter to hang on so long.
Here’s a nice song for times like this.
Rodney Crowell,Things I Wish I’d Said
We are all destined to become worm food. It probably won’t be long before I make a similar post about my own father.
My thoughts are with you, IS, old friend.
The pain you now feel will over time fade away, but the gratitude you feel for having been blessed with the father that was selected for you will never fade away but will only grow stronger.
When a father gives to his son ,both laugh ; when a son gives to his father ,both cry. William Shakespeare….
” Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed , because His Compassions fail not ,they are new every morning.” Lamentations
BB, I would think this is a better verse: 2“Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3“that it may go well with you and that you may be long-lived on the earth.”…
A good way to honor your parents is to take care of them in their old-age. Give them a life worth living (East of Eden), don’t bring shame on them and show some respect.
After you’ve done those things, carry on.
Those who honor their father atone for sins.
– Sirach 3:3
Sorry for your loss.
What you have inherited from your fathers, earn over again for yourselves, or it will not be yours. – Goethe
We all have shoes to fill.
Godspeed.
We all have shoes to fill. Indeed. Thoughts and prayers, IS.
Peace be with you and your family; your old man is in a much better place now.
Many condolences prayers for all
My sincerest condolences and prayers for you and your family. May God comfort you.
Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss.
God bless and keep him.
My prayers are for you and yours indentured servant for strength and encouragement and comfort for your loss. But, I do hope your dad was a believer in Jesus.
Blessings:-}
IS, it sounds like you and your father had a good relationship. When I am gone, this speaks to how I wish my daughters to view me:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACZymR41YAw
Losing your father is a marker in a man’s life. The passage to the other side of that Great Divide takes time. May he rest in peace (thanks one last time for his service) and may you find peace.
“(My dad) was a career USAF NCO serving during the Vietnam War and peacetime for 21 years, 7 months and 18 days. He was an ejection seat specialist and every pilot that felt the need to test his work went home to their families.”
—-Indentured Servant
Perfect.
As a retired Air Force pilot, I know first hand of the incredible teamwork that it took to keep the pilots as safe as possible to perform their missions, during war and peace. Your dad was an integral part of that team, and I deeply honor his service and the fully justified respect you have paid to him. Keep him close to your heart, as I know you will.
Uncle Ronnie quoted this poem on another sad occasion:
‘High flight’ by John Gillespie Magee, Jr.
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of; wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sun-lit silence. Hovering there
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air;
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark nor even eagle flew —
And while, with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
I have a lot of respect for you SSS and you being a pilot I really appreciate your comment. My father took extreme pride in doing his job well it paid off when every pilot came home.
He was so humble that he requested no service or memorial upon his death. That didn’t surprise me one bit.
Present Arms!
Order Arms!
Thanks!
Retired USAF F-4 pilot
IS,
You told us you were spending time with your Dad.
Excellent. What a good son you are. All the best to
you and your family. Peace to your Dad and to you.
Condolences, IS.
I was lucky to be with my father when he passed in 2009, and share your feelings about being close when your dad passed, both physically and emotionally.
My prayers are with you in this difficult time.
My condolences. I feel the same about my Dad.
Thank you for your service, so many have no idea the sacrifices of the few.
So sorry IS. Sucks to lose a good man like him, like your Dad. Take care.
Efarmer
We will keep you in our prayers. Sorry for your loss. Sounds like you have many good memories with him.
He left timeless footprints.
I’m sorry to hear of your loss I/S and as one inclined to pray, I’ll say one for your father, whom no doubt is now resting high on that mountain.
https://youtu.be/P5qdfTIrOw8?t=443
I’m sorry for your loss, Indentured Servant. I am a man who believes in God and in prayer, and I will pray for your family.
My Dad now 89. Will be tough when his time comes.
Sorry for your loss.
I’m sorry for your loss, I know this is a difficult time. I am glad that you were able to be with him, and that you have a lifetime of good memories with your dad to remember him by.
My Dad went in 2003, just a month after my sister and brother and I had visited with him. He and my Mom lived in Zambia, a place of little in the way of hospitals and certainly no emergency services.
Dad got up one morning in 2003, made tea, took a cup to my Mom, sat down at the dining room table and died, his cup of tea still half-full.
Just a few months before I’d taken him on a safari to the Lower Zambezi . We’d fished for tiger-fish, caught (and released) some good ones, got close to elephants (my Dad’s favourite animal) and drank “some” beer.
I realised then that my Dad and I had transitioned from Father/Son to good friends.
For the very first time he told me of his time in Burma in WWII, he was in the RAF, flying over the “Hump” into China as well as para-dropping supples to the Chindits in the Burmese jungle. He teared up when he told me of seeing his Squadron Leader ‘go in’ when the Zeros pounced during one mission. I’m named after the Squadron Leader.
I wept when I carried the coffin of an ordinary man who had done some extra-ordinary things.
My heart goes out to you, when your Dad goes, so goes a piece of your life.
Worst TBP headline I can recall reading. So sorry for your family and I offer my sincere condolences. For what it’s worth I have found it cathartic to re-watch the movie Harold and Maude when someone close passes. Unfortunately I’ve had to watch it more times than I would like the past few years but it helps every time.
Yousef Islam? Seriously?
God Bless! My Prayers Are With You!
IS, you are a good son so you can rest easy knowing your dad was loved right to the very end of this life. I’ll say a prayer for your father and one for you in the hope that when your time comes you’ll also be with loved ones.
No one should have to face death alone.
Peace.