SlyFox 0 #26 October 16, 2006 Thanks for sharing. Very touching story, I can't imagen the emotions that ran through you. *****Why would anyone jump from a perfectly good airplane? Because it isn't much fun if it's broke.**** Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SwampThing 0 #27 October 17, 2006 I'm glad to know you Twardo! Thanks for telling a story the way it should be told. I have to believe he's as pround of you as you are of him. The Pessimist says: "It can't possibly get any worse!" The Optimist says: "Sure it can!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #28 October 17, 2006 Awesome story! I often wonder if some day Iraq will have museums like that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #29 October 17, 2006 Just a quick note to thanks you guys for all the gracious comments both here and in PM's... Like I said, this was both the hardest AND the easiest story I've ever 'told'! Blue Skies! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #30 October 17, 2006 Just amazing...thank you, 'twardo!! Now if you'll excuse me, I think I've got something in my eye... ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #31 October 26, 2006 QuotePlease give your dad our heart-felt gratitude! I can't express how much I wish I could. My sister called Wednesday evening last week and told me to get up there to Illinois. I was on the first flight Thursday morning and was fortunate enough to be able to spend my fathers last day with him. The 'vessel' had worn out, and he just couldn't fight anymore. My Mother, Sister and I were holding him when he died~~~ I doubt I'll ever be the same. We spent much of that last 'time' with him, telling old family stories and remembering how much we all mean to each other. Dad was my biggest fan as far as my skydiving, I told most of the 'scary stories' I wrote about in a different thread....my mother adding, "...and you wonder why we have gray hair!" The wake was Sunday evening, my 49th birthday... The ole man always WOULD go the extra mile to steal the show! The funeral was Monday..... My sister had done a little Internet Searching back at her home the night he died after we left the hospital. I guess when I'd mentioned that I'd posted those 'Scary' stories here...I sparked her interest. She is the brains of the family..."Rocket Surgery" type of an IQ. She's a talented, media savy woman, once being an 'on air' personality for a FM radio show. Running sucessful political campaigns for people trying for various state level offices. Has a habbit of creating unique businesses, building them up and selling them off... Sis had just sold a 'one of a kind' store in the local mall back there a few months ago, to free up time to help Mom more with Dad. To say that I was the Black Sheep of us two, would be grossly understating the obvious! Needless to say I was taken aback when she asked me if she could read THIS thread's story during the service at church! She told me she had been trying for some time to figure out a way to express, just who it is, our Father 'was'. ~and that after reading about "My Own 'personal' Bridge Day"...I'd captured it. I was unconvinced as to something like this story, being approporate at a funeral, in a church, surrounded by Dad's friends and relatives... Until Sissy said, your words ~ my voice... Dad will be up there, BRAGGING for years! It's been a very emotional six months, Sis really had her heart on her sleeve as she told how she'd pulled a story from a skydiving website.... ...How she ever got through reading it without spilling any tears is quite beyond me! Hearing her tell the story, in the church I attended in my youth... that until then, I hadn't realized is actually as much a story, about a Son's love for his Father as a Father's love for his family...totally tore me up. Mashing my teeth to regain composure and dry my face, I was...for lack of a better word, HONORED, to see that I was far from the only one wiping tears. Dad lived a fruitful and prosperous life. In a way, because of what he taught 'us' about love and family....he had a good death. I however, do so dearly, miss my Father ~ my Friend. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #32 October 26, 2006 Wow. I'm sorry for your loss but so happy that you got to share that last bit of your dad's history before he passed on."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
katiebear21 0 #33 October 26, 2006 Hugs to you and tissues for me! Thanks, I felt like I needed a good cry! I lost my Dad last year and held him as he took his last breath as well - you're right - you will never be the same. Katie Get your PMS glass necklace here Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monkycndo 0 #34 October 26, 2006 Damn it. I wish I hadn't read this thread at work. The guys in the trailer are wondering what the hell is wrong with Sean. I don't often have to hold back tears. Twardo, my condolences for your dad. Sounds like an incredible man. A man that was like my adoptive dad landed on Omaha beach on D-Day and crossed a few bridges as a medic. He had many stories to tell, plus some incredible pictures of meeting up with the Russians. Even though he had hoped to be there first to hit the beach on D-Day, he landed 6 hours after the first boats dropped their troops. He envied the guys that were chosen to be first to take back Europe. All of the other medics from his training class had died before he touched the now bloody sand. He felt the rest of his life after June 6, 1944 was a bonus and did his best to not be envious of others. He lived his life like an example to others and shared of himself without regard to cost to himself. I learned so much from Bob "Don't call me Olney!" Thorn. Your telling of your father's story reminded me just how special my adopted dad was to me. Thanks. Look forward to meeting you down the road or in the sky sometime. Sean Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StreetScooby 5 #35 October 26, 2006 Sorry to hear about your loss We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steveorino 7 #36 October 26, 2006 Twardo, I lost my dad over 21 years ago. He died at age 60, I was 30. Way too young. Not a day goes by I don't think of him. I wish I could talk to him, I wish I could see him. I know many think my religous beliefs are a death denial ... eh, it helps me get by. I bet your dad and mine are talking about their crazy Texas boys. I bet they can't help but be proud of us, as much as we are proud of them. My sincere sympathies, and for what it is worth, I pray God sustains you with His grace and surrounds you with many loving friends and family members. Here's to our dads! steveOrino Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gene03 0 #37 October 27, 2006 "Dad lived a fruitful and prosperous life. In a way, because of what he taught 'us' about love and family....he had a good death." I can't think of a better tribute to a father from his son. Thank you for the excellent narrative.“The only fool bigger than the person who knows it all is the person who argues with him. Stanislaw Jerzy Lec quotes (Polish writer, poet and satirist 1906-1966) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #38 October 27, 2006 I have been there and it was a very humbling experience and make no bones about it your Father probably never expected to survive that ordeal. He has my utmost admiration, and will be loading mags with the rest if them in heaven.It would have been much easier to be the defender there than the attacker the terrain limits the possible attack approaches severely and made it a shooting gallery for the Wermacht defenders. I am lucky enough to have done the Nijmegen March, and even though my feet were bloodied by the time I got there, it was of no concern.I reminded myself of what those boys endured just to fight and die there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrabGrass 0 #39 October 28, 2006 Quote...until then, I hadn't realized is actually as much a story, about a Son's love for his Father as a Father's love for his family. Quote You may not have realized it Twardo, but I think the rest of us here did. My sincerest condolences on the passing of your father. I can't imagine how you must feel. I read thru this thread a few times today and I want you to know it has touched me. It made me think about all the stuff I want to say to my father, and I better get to doing it. I have said things to him I didn't mean and mean a lot that I never say. That all will change, and thank you and your dad for the wake up call. Truly amazing ~ "Pack Fast, Pull Low... and Date Your Riggers WIFE!" ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites groundrush134 0 #40 October 28, 2006 Amazing life story!~~~> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Calvin19 0 #41 October 28, 2006 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites TheClown 0 #42 October 30, 2006 Like an older brother, Jim was the only one who ever convinced me into jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. Needless to say, my attempts at arching my back as instructed lead to heals over head flips while departing static-lines…a recipe for disaster…two attempts resulted in the same, which scraped the third…never again would I attempt a jump. It’s been longer than I can remember since I last saw Jim, at least a couple decades, gee how time can fly without the static of lines. Memories of Jim are of an over-zealous lad seeking the thrills of adventure having no fear of riding upon the edge of life, which obviously continues within Jim’s passion for skydiving today, while others contend he’s still just a lucky fool. Our fathers were mutual friends both former military with a common passion for firearms additionally, Art also worked with my father’s mother…pretty typical for a small Midwest community where many knew each other. Like it was yesterday, I remember Art stopping by to share a few jokes and stories, he was really proud of his only son…this big ole teary-eyed, crew-cut bulldog of a man had a smile which beamed like a firefly on a hot August night, chuckling between stories boosting about this crazy bird called Jim. I am grateful for having the opportunity to have met the Twardowskis’ and unfortunately share the same emotions as Jim does today…as my father has recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer which is expected to take his life sooner rather than later, which is probably a blessing. Although, my father never seen the horrors of active duty to leave behind a trail of memories upon foreign soil to be retraced, many of us share as well as cherish the same bonding and memories “bridged” between our fathers’ as Jim. Thank you for sharing your heart-felt experience with us Jim, please accept my sincerest condolences while passing my sympathies on to Sue and Rosemary…we all loved that big ole teary-eyed, crew-cut bulldog of a “kid” you knew as dad. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites StreetScooby 5 #43 October 30, 2006 Quote Memories of Jim are of an over-zealous lad seeking the thrills of adventure having no fear of riding upon the edge of life, which obviously continues within Jim’s passion for skydiving today, while others contend he’s still just a lucky fool. It's much simpler than that. Jesus loves him. We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites airtwardo 7 #44 October 31, 2006 Thank you for sharing your heart-felt experience with us Jim, please accept my sincerest condolences while passing my sympathies on to Sue and Rosemary…we all loved that big ole teary-eyed, crew-cut bulldog of a “kid” you knew as dad. *** Damn! "The Clown"...! Great to 'hear' from you!!I can't tell ya how much it means to me...the things you wrote here! Thank you. I got to spend some time with your dad while I was up for my dad's funeral. He hasn't changed a bit!!! He told me what he was dealing with, and how long they figured... All I could imagine was~ The Head Arab, The Head Pollack & The Head Kraut, all together again... ~ Saint Peter is gonna have to make a few changes to the rules! You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers Dwayne. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Guest 1010 #45 October 31, 2006 Hey Jim sorry I wasn't paying attention to the threads, my sincerest condolences on your Dad's passing. I had the chance to "crunch some numbers" with my pa tonight, and things are good. Great story, as we've come to expect now ... your pop must be smiling down pretty big with kids like you and your sister. You can have it good, fast, or cheap: pick two. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites airtwardo 7 #46 October 31, 2006 I just got back a few hours ago from a quick trip to Washington D.C. for The Marine Corps Marathon. Spent most of yesterday, split between cheering on my better 1/2 who was running the race, and inching my way through the Air & Space Museum....AGAIN! My Mother asked a few minutes ago during a phone call, if I'd been to the 'New' World War Two Memorial, she said she'd heard it was magnificent... It was a fantastic afternoon in D.C. as far as weather today, so we took a walk to see some of the sights, without the weekend crowds around. Walking away from the Capital Building, past the Washington Monument, we finally came upon the WWII Memorial...Majestically Beautiful. It's kind of a large circle with a fountain situated in the center. I started walking to the left, reading all the granite set inscriptions and admiring the detail of the sculptures and artwork. When I almost got to the 'end' of completing the circle...I froze. I just stood there staring, trying to again 'hold back' a wave of grief and emotion that I've been able to keep hidden for a while now. Thankfully my 'Marathon Girl'...who was rather sore from the day before, was resting on a bench at the other side, because I must have presented quite a sight. An older gentleman came over to me and asked if I was alright...If I had 'lost' someone in the war. I explain that, no...I had 'just' lost my father, but that he had indeed fought in the war. I told this stranger how I had been fortunate enough to recently visit one of the battle grounds he'd told me about as a child, and that though I knew it was an 'important' battle...I guess I hadn't realized the significance until that moment. The old guy shook my hand warmly, and offered me his sincere and deepest condolences...from a 'fellow' veteran. He told me he had been wounded during the Battle Of The Bulge, but that it was his 'outfit' that had provided artillery support for the guys taking that last standing bridge...artillery support for my Father. I think we both were at a loss for words, but this 84 year old veteran, whom I'd never met, put his arm around me and let me finally get out what I needed to for some time now. In parting, I shook his hand and thanked him. The tears in his eyes reflected mine and he said to me~ " Your Father taught you well, you go on now, and teach 'your' children." Like I told my Mother on the phone a while ago... "Magnificent....?" "That can't even BEGIN to describe it Mom!" It's been a hell of a month, can't wait till things get somewhat back to normal. I think tomorrow...I'm going jumping!! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites NWFlyer 2 #47 October 31, 2006 Damn you, 'Twardo. You keep making my allergies act up or something. Every time I read your posts on this thread my eyes keep watering."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ladyskydiver 0 #48 October 31, 2006 QuoteDamn you, 'Twardo. You keep making my allergies act up or something. Every time I read your posts on this thread my eyes keep watering. You're not the only one. Thank you for sharing! Hugs!Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sioux 0 #49 October 31, 2006 Wow. You are very fortunate to have had such a great father and such a close relationship with him. Your kids are equally fortunate Thanks for sharing what must have been incredibly emotional for you. I haven't seen such convoluted lines of conversation and such expert chronicling thereof since my days of all day bong marathons in college. ~ Lindercles Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites popsjumper 2 #50 October 31, 2006 Jim, I feel it...oh, God how I feel it. thanks for sharing.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 3 Next Page 2 of 3 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
groundrush134 0 #40 October 28, 2006 Amazing life story!~~~> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Calvin19 0 #41 October 28, 2006 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites TheClown 0 #42 October 30, 2006 Like an older brother, Jim was the only one who ever convinced me into jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. Needless to say, my attempts at arching my back as instructed lead to heals over head flips while departing static-lines…a recipe for disaster…two attempts resulted in the same, which scraped the third…never again would I attempt a jump. It’s been longer than I can remember since I last saw Jim, at least a couple decades, gee how time can fly without the static of lines. Memories of Jim are of an over-zealous lad seeking the thrills of adventure having no fear of riding upon the edge of life, which obviously continues within Jim’s passion for skydiving today, while others contend he’s still just a lucky fool. Our fathers were mutual friends both former military with a common passion for firearms additionally, Art also worked with my father’s mother…pretty typical for a small Midwest community where many knew each other. Like it was yesterday, I remember Art stopping by to share a few jokes and stories, he was really proud of his only son…this big ole teary-eyed, crew-cut bulldog of a man had a smile which beamed like a firefly on a hot August night, chuckling between stories boosting about this crazy bird called Jim. I am grateful for having the opportunity to have met the Twardowskis’ and unfortunately share the same emotions as Jim does today…as my father has recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer which is expected to take his life sooner rather than later, which is probably a blessing. Although, my father never seen the horrors of active duty to leave behind a trail of memories upon foreign soil to be retraced, many of us share as well as cherish the same bonding and memories “bridged” between our fathers’ as Jim. Thank you for sharing your heart-felt experience with us Jim, please accept my sincerest condolences while passing my sympathies on to Sue and Rosemary…we all loved that big ole teary-eyed, crew-cut bulldog of a “kid” you knew as dad. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites StreetScooby 5 #43 October 30, 2006 Quote Memories of Jim are of an over-zealous lad seeking the thrills of adventure having no fear of riding upon the edge of life, which obviously continues within Jim’s passion for skydiving today, while others contend he’s still just a lucky fool. It's much simpler than that. Jesus loves him. We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites airtwardo 7 #44 October 31, 2006 Thank you for sharing your heart-felt experience with us Jim, please accept my sincerest condolences while passing my sympathies on to Sue and Rosemary…we all loved that big ole teary-eyed, crew-cut bulldog of a “kid” you knew as dad. *** Damn! "The Clown"...! Great to 'hear' from you!!I can't tell ya how much it means to me...the things you wrote here! Thank you. I got to spend some time with your dad while I was up for my dad's funeral. He hasn't changed a bit!!! He told me what he was dealing with, and how long they figured... All I could imagine was~ The Head Arab, The Head Pollack & The Head Kraut, all together again... ~ Saint Peter is gonna have to make a few changes to the rules! You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers Dwayne. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Guest 1010 #45 October 31, 2006 Hey Jim sorry I wasn't paying attention to the threads, my sincerest condolences on your Dad's passing. I had the chance to "crunch some numbers" with my pa tonight, and things are good. Great story, as we've come to expect now ... your pop must be smiling down pretty big with kids like you and your sister. You can have it good, fast, or cheap: pick two. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites airtwardo 7 #46 October 31, 2006 I just got back a few hours ago from a quick trip to Washington D.C. for The Marine Corps Marathon. Spent most of yesterday, split between cheering on my better 1/2 who was running the race, and inching my way through the Air & Space Museum....AGAIN! My Mother asked a few minutes ago during a phone call, if I'd been to the 'New' World War Two Memorial, she said she'd heard it was magnificent... It was a fantastic afternoon in D.C. as far as weather today, so we took a walk to see some of the sights, without the weekend crowds around. Walking away from the Capital Building, past the Washington Monument, we finally came upon the WWII Memorial...Majestically Beautiful. It's kind of a large circle with a fountain situated in the center. I started walking to the left, reading all the granite set inscriptions and admiring the detail of the sculptures and artwork. When I almost got to the 'end' of completing the circle...I froze. I just stood there staring, trying to again 'hold back' a wave of grief and emotion that I've been able to keep hidden for a while now. Thankfully my 'Marathon Girl'...who was rather sore from the day before, was resting on a bench at the other side, because I must have presented quite a sight. An older gentleman came over to me and asked if I was alright...If I had 'lost' someone in the war. I explain that, no...I had 'just' lost my father, but that he had indeed fought in the war. I told this stranger how I had been fortunate enough to recently visit one of the battle grounds he'd told me about as a child, and that though I knew it was an 'important' battle...I guess I hadn't realized the significance until that moment. The old guy shook my hand warmly, and offered me his sincere and deepest condolences...from a 'fellow' veteran. He told me he had been wounded during the Battle Of The Bulge, but that it was his 'outfit' that had provided artillery support for the guys taking that last standing bridge...artillery support for my Father. I think we both were at a loss for words, but this 84 year old veteran, whom I'd never met, put his arm around me and let me finally get out what I needed to for some time now. In parting, I shook his hand and thanked him. The tears in his eyes reflected mine and he said to me~ " Your Father taught you well, you go on now, and teach 'your' children." Like I told my Mother on the phone a while ago... "Magnificent....?" "That can't even BEGIN to describe it Mom!" It's been a hell of a month, can't wait till things get somewhat back to normal. I think tomorrow...I'm going jumping!! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites NWFlyer 2 #47 October 31, 2006 Damn you, 'Twardo. You keep making my allergies act up or something. Every time I read your posts on this thread my eyes keep watering."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ladyskydiver 0 #48 October 31, 2006 QuoteDamn you, 'Twardo. You keep making my allergies act up or something. Every time I read your posts on this thread my eyes keep watering. You're not the only one. Thank you for sharing! Hugs!Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sioux 0 #49 October 31, 2006 Wow. You are very fortunate to have had such a great father and such a close relationship with him. Your kids are equally fortunate Thanks for sharing what must have been incredibly emotional for you. I haven't seen such convoluted lines of conversation and such expert chronicling thereof since my days of all day bong marathons in college. ~ Lindercles Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites popsjumper 2 #50 October 31, 2006 Jim, I feel it...oh, God how I feel it. thanks for sharing.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 3 Next Page 2 of 3 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
TheClown 0 #42 October 30, 2006 Like an older brother, Jim was the only one who ever convinced me into jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. Needless to say, my attempts at arching my back as instructed lead to heals over head flips while departing static-lines…a recipe for disaster…two attempts resulted in the same, which scraped the third…never again would I attempt a jump. It’s been longer than I can remember since I last saw Jim, at least a couple decades, gee how time can fly without the static of lines. Memories of Jim are of an over-zealous lad seeking the thrills of adventure having no fear of riding upon the edge of life, which obviously continues within Jim’s passion for skydiving today, while others contend he’s still just a lucky fool. Our fathers were mutual friends both former military with a common passion for firearms additionally, Art also worked with my father’s mother…pretty typical for a small Midwest community where many knew each other. Like it was yesterday, I remember Art stopping by to share a few jokes and stories, he was really proud of his only son…this big ole teary-eyed, crew-cut bulldog of a man had a smile which beamed like a firefly on a hot August night, chuckling between stories boosting about this crazy bird called Jim. I am grateful for having the opportunity to have met the Twardowskis’ and unfortunately share the same emotions as Jim does today…as my father has recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer which is expected to take his life sooner rather than later, which is probably a blessing. Although, my father never seen the horrors of active duty to leave behind a trail of memories upon foreign soil to be retraced, many of us share as well as cherish the same bonding and memories “bridged” between our fathers’ as Jim. Thank you for sharing your heart-felt experience with us Jim, please accept my sincerest condolences while passing my sympathies on to Sue and Rosemary…we all loved that big ole teary-eyed, crew-cut bulldog of a “kid” you knew as dad. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StreetScooby 5 #43 October 30, 2006 Quote Memories of Jim are of an over-zealous lad seeking the thrills of adventure having no fear of riding upon the edge of life, which obviously continues within Jim’s passion for skydiving today, while others contend he’s still just a lucky fool. It's much simpler than that. Jesus loves him. We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #44 October 31, 2006 Thank you for sharing your heart-felt experience with us Jim, please accept my sincerest condolences while passing my sympathies on to Sue and Rosemary…we all loved that big ole teary-eyed, crew-cut bulldog of a “kid” you knew as dad. *** Damn! "The Clown"...! Great to 'hear' from you!!I can't tell ya how much it means to me...the things you wrote here! Thank you. I got to spend some time with your dad while I was up for my dad's funeral. He hasn't changed a bit!!! He told me what he was dealing with, and how long they figured... All I could imagine was~ The Head Arab, The Head Pollack & The Head Kraut, all together again... ~ Saint Peter is gonna have to make a few changes to the rules! You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers Dwayne. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest 1010 #45 October 31, 2006 Hey Jim sorry I wasn't paying attention to the threads, my sincerest condolences on your Dad's passing. I had the chance to "crunch some numbers" with my pa tonight, and things are good. Great story, as we've come to expect now ... your pop must be smiling down pretty big with kids like you and your sister. You can have it good, fast, or cheap: pick two. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #46 October 31, 2006 I just got back a few hours ago from a quick trip to Washington D.C. for The Marine Corps Marathon. Spent most of yesterday, split between cheering on my better 1/2 who was running the race, and inching my way through the Air & Space Museum....AGAIN! My Mother asked a few minutes ago during a phone call, if I'd been to the 'New' World War Two Memorial, she said she'd heard it was magnificent... It was a fantastic afternoon in D.C. as far as weather today, so we took a walk to see some of the sights, without the weekend crowds around. Walking away from the Capital Building, past the Washington Monument, we finally came upon the WWII Memorial...Majestically Beautiful. It's kind of a large circle with a fountain situated in the center. I started walking to the left, reading all the granite set inscriptions and admiring the detail of the sculptures and artwork. When I almost got to the 'end' of completing the circle...I froze. I just stood there staring, trying to again 'hold back' a wave of grief and emotion that I've been able to keep hidden for a while now. Thankfully my 'Marathon Girl'...who was rather sore from the day before, was resting on a bench at the other side, because I must have presented quite a sight. An older gentleman came over to me and asked if I was alright...If I had 'lost' someone in the war. I explain that, no...I had 'just' lost my father, but that he had indeed fought in the war. I told this stranger how I had been fortunate enough to recently visit one of the battle grounds he'd told me about as a child, and that though I knew it was an 'important' battle...I guess I hadn't realized the significance until that moment. The old guy shook my hand warmly, and offered me his sincere and deepest condolences...from a 'fellow' veteran. He told me he had been wounded during the Battle Of The Bulge, but that it was his 'outfit' that had provided artillery support for the guys taking that last standing bridge...artillery support for my Father. I think we both were at a loss for words, but this 84 year old veteran, whom I'd never met, put his arm around me and let me finally get out what I needed to for some time now. In parting, I shook his hand and thanked him. The tears in his eyes reflected mine and he said to me~ " Your Father taught you well, you go on now, and teach 'your' children." Like I told my Mother on the phone a while ago... "Magnificent....?" "That can't even BEGIN to describe it Mom!" It's been a hell of a month, can't wait till things get somewhat back to normal. I think tomorrow...I'm going jumping!! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #47 October 31, 2006 Damn you, 'Twardo. You keep making my allergies act up or something. Every time I read your posts on this thread my eyes keep watering."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #48 October 31, 2006 QuoteDamn you, 'Twardo. You keep making my allergies act up or something. Every time I read your posts on this thread my eyes keep watering. You're not the only one. Thank you for sharing! Hugs!Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sioux 0 #49 October 31, 2006 Wow. You are very fortunate to have had such a great father and such a close relationship with him. Your kids are equally fortunate Thanks for sharing what must have been incredibly emotional for you. I haven't seen such convoluted lines of conversation and such expert chronicling thereof since my days of all day bong marathons in college. ~ Lindercles Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #50 October 31, 2006 Jim, I feel it...oh, God how I feel it. thanks for sharing.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
