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My Dad...
Born in a sod hut on a farmstead, they moved in to a wood frame house in the '20s but he never had electricity or indoor plumbing till going to college. Dropped out and enlisted in the army in 1943. He was glider infantry, walked into the bulge near Bastogne on December 24, 1944. There were 58 other guys in his platoon, he and 4 others walked out on Feb 7, 1945. The rest were either killed, injured, or had frostbite. He flew over the Rhine in a glider on March 24, 1945, and received the "million dollar wound" the next day. His unit was beginning to prepare for the invasion of Japan when the bombs were dropped. He had recouperated back in the states, and would have been involved in the airborne invasion. I am thankfull he did not have to, as the odds were he would not have survived.
He finished working his way through college, with degrees in accounting and law. Ended up a clinic manager, and served 4 terms as a state legislator. He's still active in state politics and business stuff, and is very active for an 85 year old. The last decade or so I've had the privledge of accompanying him to his 17th Airborne reunions all over the country.
He's the most honest, generous, and decent man I know. While he was working, though, the stress really got to him, and he could have a short fuse at home. These days it is pretty hard to get him angry. I'm really proud to say he's my dad.
His patience and sense of fairness are two qualities that have helped me the most when dealing with my own kids. I only wish I would have inheirited at least half his intelligence.
It is always sad to me to hear others say their dad was a bum or a jerk, I wish you could all say you had/have a great relationship with the old man. Personally, I've been blessed, and I appreciate it.
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"It ain't no sin to be glad you're alive"
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