Tributes to Our Fathers
Thu Jan 22, 2009 4:54 pm
Craig59's recent loss brings me to wonder how others pay tribute to their Fathers, Uncles, Grandfathers, etc.
I know I am a bit overcenter but here is my version. New jacket this Christmas adorned with leather patches Dad painted while he was alive. I don't care what others really think but it is important to me and that's all I need. I'm not trying to decieve anyone by wearing it and will be the first to explain that the jacket is in honor of him and the rest.
Also wear his Cadet ring which is pretty cool.
I know I am a bit overcenter but here is my version. New jacket this Christmas adorned with leather patches Dad painted while he was alive. I don't care what others really think but it is important to me and that's all I need. I'm not trying to decieve anyone by wearing it and will be the first to explain that the jacket is in honor of him and the rest.
Also wear his Cadet ring which is pretty cool.
Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:05 pm
I like the jacket and I think that is a nice tribute to your father. It doesn't matter what anybody else thinks. Your wearing of the jacket allows you to have a piece of your father with you at all times. If I had a father who was a Veteran like that, I would have done the same thing. If nothing else, maybe it can stimulate conversations about our Veterans and all of the sacrifices they have made.
I wish more people would do things like that. It would bring increased visibility to our Greatest Generation and let others know that their sacrifices will never be forgotten!
I wish more people would do things like that. It would bring increased visibility to our Greatest Generation and let others know that their sacrifices will never be forgotten!
Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:30 pm
It was losing my father that got me involved in the restoration of the Hurricane at VWoC. The first aircraft he worked on after enlisting at the start of the war was Hurricanes. Sure wish he was around to share it with now.
If it keeps you connected its important enough not to worry what others think.
If it keeps you connected its important enough not to worry what others think.
Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:30 pm
I agree with warbird.
Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:47 pm
Awesome jacket and ring man. Great way to honor your dad.
Thu Jan 22, 2009 6:01 pm
A fitting tribute. Wear them with pride. For every person who doesn't understand, there is someone who does, and they are the people who really matter.
This line , written in the year 1320 , in the Declaration of Arbroath during the Scottish wars of independence, still rings true after nearly 700 years, "It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom -- for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself. "
Thankyou to people of your fathers generation, for what they sacrificed.
This line , written in the year 1320 , in the Declaration of Arbroath during the Scottish wars of independence, still rings true after nearly 700 years, "It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom -- for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself. "
Thankyou to people of your fathers generation, for what they sacrificed.
Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:13 pm
Wow that is awesome!
Barbara has worn her current leather to shreds, and one of those would fit her perfect.
She still has her dads 33FG uniform, but have not seen one of the jackets.
Hope you don't mind if I duplicate it, for a child of the 33rd.
Wear it with Pride!
Barbara has worn her current leather to shreds, and one of those would fit her perfect.
She still has her dads 33FG uniform, but have not seen one of the jackets.
Hope you don't mind if I duplicate it, for a child of the 33rd.
Wear it with Pride!
Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:51 pm
Thanks for all the great comments. This, along with my "stick & rudder" quest, make me feel so much closer to my Pop and brings me to want to be more of a spokesman for all of them.
Rogue, if I can help in any way, let me know. Love to hear more about her Dad. PM me with details.
To all, if you'd like to have a PDF format book I wrote about Dad, PM me and let me know. It is a compilation of his letters home from the time he left for San Antonio in February of 1943 through the end of the war. All in his words. Everybody's relative took a very similar path and I guarantee you'll hear your relative's words in Dad's book. Trust me, "swell" was the operative word in 1943.
Rogue, if I can help in any way, let me know. Love to hear more about her Dad. PM me with details.
To all, if you'd like to have a PDF format book I wrote about Dad, PM me and let me know. It is a compilation of his letters home from the time he left for San Antonio in February of 1943 through the end of the war. All in his words. Everybody's relative took a very similar path and I guarantee you'll hear your relative's words in Dad's book. Trust me, "swell" was the operative word in 1943.
Fri Jan 23, 2009 9:49 am
Scott, the jacket looks great. I am sure your dad would be proud. I think that & you wearing his ring is very honorable. I have my dad's cadet ring, but I don't think it will fit. I have his Wilkinson Sword fighting knife that he carried on every mission, but I don't think it would be a good idea to carry it around. 
Regards
Robbie
Regards
Robbie
Fri Jan 23, 2009 10:46 am
The jacket is a great tribute!
I've got the uniform my dad mustered out in. Every so often I get it out of the storage closet and put it on just to make that little connection once again. The Eisenhower jacket fits a lot tighter than it did when dad gave me the uniform, but I can still button it up. I've been thinking about getting a photo taken of me in the same setting as his final military photo just as a "then-and-now" comparison.
Scott
I've got the uniform my dad mustered out in. Every so often I get it out of the storage closet and put it on just to make that little connection once again. The Eisenhower jacket fits a lot tighter than it did when dad gave me the uniform, but I can still button it up. I've been thinking about getting a photo taken of me in the same setting as his final military photo just as a "then-and-now" comparison.
Scott
Last edited by Second Air Force on Fri Jan 23, 2009 10:52 am, edited 1 time in total.
Fri Jan 23, 2009 10:46 am
All,
I would highly recommend taking a look at Scott's Dad's letters and pictures during the war. I have a copy that Scott was nice enough to provide for me and it is priceless.
Jacket looks great Scott.
Mark
I would highly recommend taking a look at Scott's Dad's letters and pictures during the war. I have a copy that Scott was nice enough to provide for me and it is priceless.
Jacket looks great Scott.
Mark
Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:15 pm
For a person who is/was in the armed forces of the USA, there are a group of web sites that I discovered about 18 months ago that are a bit like facebook or the other social web sites, but are for military personnel. Registration is required to view the contents, but members can also maintain pages in tribute to lost comrades or those who have died.
For example, I maintain a page for my father at:
http://navy.togetherweserved.com/profile/228237
and have chosen to make his page publicly accessible.
All four DoD services are represented -- just replace "navy" with army, airforce or marine as applicable.
Note that registration is primarily restricted to those in the military BUT at least when I joined there was also an option for a surviving family member to register.
For example, I maintain a page for my father at:
http://navy.togetherweserved.com/profile/228237
and have chosen to make his page publicly accessible.
All four DoD services are represented -- just replace "navy" with army, airforce or marine as applicable.
Note that registration is primarily restricted to those in the military BUT at least when I joined there was also an option for a surviving family member to register.