In digging thru the safe for dad's will,

[S&W645]

I came across several things of interest. One was the Certificate of Appreciation for dad's service in the Navy from 5 Dec 1946 to 30 Apr 1971 and bearing Richard Nixon's name. Along with it was a letter of Commendation from the CO, NAVSECGRUACT Homestead dated 3 Feb 1970 and sent via the CO , NAVSECGRUACT Bremerhaven and with an attached endorsement from said second CO. The CO of Homestead also made sure that when dad retired , he retired under his command a little over a year later. And had as a guest, an Admiral who knew and worked with dad. There are other letters of commendation in the safe that also refer to classified letters with commendations in them. Sad to say, I will never know many of his accomplishment while in. I will be going north this week with his will and dress blues for his funeral. He has been diagnosed with terminal Pancreatic Cancer with only a short time left to live.

Another vet of the greatest generation will soon be no more. For those who still have them in the family, cherish them while you can.

 

[Peggy Reist]

So sorry to hear that. I wish you the best.

 

[jcreek]

I came across several things of interest. One was the Certificate of Appreciation for dad's service in the Navy from 5 Dec 1946 to 30 Apr 1971 and bearing Richard Nixon's name. Along with it was a letter of Commendation from the CO, NAVSECGRUACT Homestead dated 3 Feb 1970 and sent via the CO , NAVSECGRUACT Bremerhaven and with an attached endorsement from said second CO. The CO of Homestead also made sure that when dad retired , he retired under his command a little over a year later. And had as a guest, an Admiral who knew and worked with dad. There are other letters of commendation in the safe that also refer to classified letters with commendations in them. Sad to say, I will never know many of his accomplishment while in. I will be going north this week with his will and dress blues for his funeral. He has been diagnosed with terminal Pancreatic Cancer with only a short time left to live.

Another vet of the greatest generation will soon be no more. For those who still have them in the family, cherish them while you can.

I'm very sorry to hear that. Best wishes to you and your family. When he does pass, if he is to be buried in a local cemetery, make sure to get in contact with the closest Navy reserve station so they can come out and give him full military honors at the ceremony. It's something I do in the Marine Corps reserve and take it very seriously. There's no greater honor, IMO, than getting to participate in laying a fallen brother to rest. Send your father my regards, and eternal thanks.

 

[wolf_fire]

I came across several things of interest. One was the Certificate of Appreciation for dad's service in the Navy from 5 Dec 1946 to 30 Apr 1971 and bearing Richard Nixon's name. Along with it was a letter of Commendation from the CO, NAVSECGRUACT Homestead dated 3 Feb 1970 and sent via the CO , NAVSECGRUACT Bremerhaven and with an attached endorsement from said second CO. The CO of Homestead also made sure that when dad retired , he retired under his command a little over a year later. And had as a guest, an Admiral who knew and worked with dad. There are other letters of commendation in the safe that also refer to classified letters with commendations in them. Sad to say, I will never know many of his accomplishment while in. I will be going north this week with his will and dress blues for his funeral. He has been diagnosed with terminal Pancreatic Cancer with only a short time left to live.

Another vet of the greatest generation will soon be no more. For those who still have them in the family, cherish them while you can.

One of the things that made that generation so great was their humility. They performed a job because it was their duty and not for any personal accolades. I salute your father and my prayers go out to your family.

 

[S&W645]

I'm very sorry to hear that. Best wishes to you and your family. When he does pass, if he is to be buried in a local cemetery, make sure to get in contact with the closest Navy reserve station so they can come out and give him full military honors at the ceremony. It's something I do in the Marine Corps reserve and take it very seriously. There's no greater honor, IMO, than getting to participate in laying a fallen brother to rest. Send your father my regards, and eternal thanks.

Will see if we have one nearby. I do know there is an Army one just across the river in WV. He has also requested that the Patriot Guard Riders attend.

 

[S&W645]

One of the things that made that generation so great was their humility. They performed a job because it was their duty and not for any personal accolades.

So true. He has asked that nothing other than his collar devices ( E-9 ), insignia on his sleeve ( Master Chief and CT ), and his hash marks be on his uniform. He is very proud of the fact that he was a CT. No ribbons to be on the uniform although I know he had about a dozen or so including ones that were for double or triple awards with attached devices.

 

[buckey01]

I haven't seen any mention that today, June 6, is the the anniversary of the D-Day Invasion. I'm sorry if I missed it but it is worth another mention. I had two uncles involved in the invasion and both survived but one was killed later in France where he is buried along with 11,000 other Americans at St. Lorraine Military Cemetery. My father was in the Pacific.. Neither he nor his surviving brother would ever talk about the circumstances of their service or the death of their brother. I'm sorry that I wasn't more persistent because they're both dead now and I will never find out.

If you know any WW2 vets thank them for their service because soon they will all be gone. We are losing a very important part of our history that we really need to remember. And too many in this country don't seem to care what has been sacrificed for their liberty.

 

[dcselby1]

I came across several things of interest. One was the Certificate of Appreciation for dad's service in the Navy from 5 Dec 1946 to 30 Apr 1971 and bearing Richard Nixon's name. Along with it was a letter of Commendation from the CO, NAVSECGRUACT Homestead dated 3 Feb 1970 and sent via the CO , NAVSECGRUACT Bremerhaven and with an attached endorsement from said second CO. The CO of Homestead also made sure that when dad retired , he retired under his command a little over a year later. And had as a guest, an Admiral who knew and worked with dad. There are other letters of commendation in the safe that also refer to classified letters with commendations in them. Sad to say, I will never know many of his accomplishment while in. I will be going north this week with his will and dress blues for his funeral. He has been diagnosed with terminal Pancreatic Cancer with only a short time left to live.

Another vet of the greatest generation will soon be no more. For those who still have them in the family, cherish them while you can.

My condolences to you and a salute to a hero. In that vein I actually spent today (anniversary of D-Day) with my Dad who was in Normandy shortly after the invasion with the Third Armored Division (Spearhead). He was wounded in France and we talked a while about both of our wars. After your post, I am especially glad that I went. Thanks for sharing.

 

[S&W645]

I haven't seen any mention that today, June 6, is the the anniversary of the D-Day Invasion. I'm sorry if I missed it but it is worth another mention. I had two uncles involved in the invasion and both survived but one was killed later in France where he is buried along with 11,000 other Americans at St. Lorraine Military Cemetery. My father was in the Pacific.. Neither he nor his surviving brother would ever talk about the circumstances of their service or the death of their brother. I'm sorry that I wasn't more persistent because they're both dead now and I will never find out.

If you know any WW2 vets thank them for their service because soon they will all be gone. We are losing a very important part of our history that we really need to remember. And too many in this country don't seem to care what has been sacrificed for their liberty.

Dad got an e-mail back in May that the Doolittle Raiders are now ( at that time ) down to only 4 survivors. There will be no public reunion for them in 2014. They have been meeting yearly since 1946. They were supposed to open a bottle from 1896 ( year Doolittle was born ) and toast the crew members who had passed when there were only two survivors left. But they decided this year that they will have a private get together so that all 4 can be there as they could lose 3 in a short time.

I can count myself lucky as having met a number of WW II vets over the years. And had a number of them as family members. But also saddened by the fact that even those who did survive, many years later may have died from their service. An uncle of mine got frostbite at the Battle of the Bulge ( Bastogne ) but survived the war. Less than 30 years later, that same wound caused gangrene starting at the big toe. It spread so fast that even with amputations of the toes, foot, and leg below knee they could not stop it and in less than 4 hours he was dead. A number of members on mom's side of the family never survived the war as they served as aircrew members in B-17s over Europe. A picture of one crew with a named relative in it is displayed at the Pima County Air Museum in Tuscon, AZ.

 

[S&W645]

Dad passed at 0715 this morning. He has now joined his fellow shipmates that proceeded him including Adm ( Ret. ) G. P. March who was a close friend.

 

[Peggy Reist]

You have my sincere sympathy. It's so hard to lose a parent and I know how you feel. So sorry.

 

[wolf_fire]

Dad passed at 0715 this morning. He has now joined his fellow shipmates that proceeded him including Adm ( Ret. ) G. P. March who was a close friend.

I stand and salute all that he has done for this great nation.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family S&W645.

 

[Itstjs]

If you can not find a Navy reserve station in your local area, the National Guard (Any Armory) will be able to get you in touch with an Honor Guard personal they will be able to help you in finding the right people to lay your father to rest. Im sorry your family has to endure such a tough time in both seeing your father sick, as well as all the tough times cancer brings. Wish you all the best.

 

[S&W645]

Thank you folks for your sympathies.

As for the honor guard, that has been already approved pending paperwork with 2 to attend, play taps, and present the flag.

Hardest day will be 14 June, his birthday, for which my sister and I had bought him cards. It is also the date that his mother died. We checked on their ( my grandparents ) grave site after getting dad's, mom's and mine today. That also was per dad's request that I get one near his. Another of several reasons for his not wanting Arlington as his final resting place.

 

[S&W645]

If you can not find a Navy reserve station in your local area, the National Guard (Any Armory) will be able to get you in touch with an Honor Guard personal they will be able to help you in finding the right people to lay your father to rest. Im sorry your family has to endure such a tough time in both seeing your father sick, as well as all the tough times cancer brings. Wish you all the best.

The Navy was who was contacted per the DOD site for Ohio. Approved and the Patriot Guard Riders will also act as escorts from the funeral home to the cemetery. Found out today that an 82 year old USAF vet died here the day after dad. And that mom may have attended school with him.

 

[S&W645]

Proud to have been Navy.Link Removed

 

[Babarock]

My most heartfelt condolences. We are honored that you allowed us to share the knowledge of him. Prayers sent.

 

[TroutStalker]

A generation with character, integrity and loyalty to their country. As we loose these great men, its as if you can feel our country going with them. Truly upsetting. I'm sure your father was a great man who loved his family and country. My deepest condolences.

 

[S&W645]

Just got back from the services and meal at the church.

I must say that the attitude of the Patriot Guard Riders from Ohio sets a very high standard. Some of the group rode from as far away as Columbus which even in a car is a very tiring 2.5 hour drive. We didn't get all their names committed to memory but their faces will be forever. Before the service they did a short presentation ceremony plus stood out front of the funeral home with US Flags. After the service they rode escort in front of the hearse and behind the third car out to the cemetery where they joined two active duty Navy personnel as honor guard. Service at the cemetery included a short service by the minister, Taps, and flag presentation by the Navy crew to mom.

 

[whodat2710]

One of the things that made that generation so great was their humility. They performed a job because it was their duty and not for any personal accolades. I salute your father and my prayers go out to your family.

I concur, but I think that the thing that made their generation great was their love for America. The "recruiters" were turning away people that wanted to serve. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, there was an amount of patriotism that has not been seen since. The men (and some women) went to war, the women manufactured the tools of war, and the country was united. No one asked "what's in it for me?". 9/11 should have produced similar patriotism, and there were those that showed it (Pat Tillman of the Arizona Cardinals comes to mind) but there were just as many lowlifes protesting.
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Please know that there are still those of us that represent that "Grateful Nation" and appreciate his service while mourning our loss and yours.