My dad, who was a Lt. Commander and a fighter pilot in the Navy during WWII, passed away peacefully this morning in Sacramento. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

He was much loved, and he will not be forgotten.

I was hoping 2 go see him again this next week, but I did get 2 visit with him at the end of June. His 88th b-day was July 7th.

He had all his wits about him right up until the end.

2 my dad: Thank you for being my dad!


"If our friendship depends on things like space and time, then when we finally overcome space and time, we've destroyed our own brotherhood! But overcome space, and all we have left is Here. Overcome time, and all we have left is Now. And in the middle of Here and Now, don't you think that we might see each other once or twice?"

- from "Jonathan Livingston Seagull", Richard Bach (a pilot who wrote stories about flight that my dad enjoyed)

-2long

oh 2Long ...

((( hugs )))

Sorry to hear that 2long.

In honor of your father -

High Flight
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 sunlit silence. Hov'ring 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, or ever 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.

— John Gillespie Magee, Jr

2Long,

I am very sorry to hear that. I know of what you speak. I lost my Dad in July, 1990. He was a veteran of the Navy, Pacific Fleet in WWII.

My sympathies to you and your family...


HCII

2long

Its an exquisite grief that affects a man with the death of his father.

As my Dad said to me on his deathbed "Don't cry too much, Its supposed to be this way, son". Parents seeing their kids mature then handing over the baton.

All blessings 2long.

{{{2long}}}

Your Dad had a lot 2 be proud of.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{2long}}}}}}}}}}}

I'm so sorry!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Your dad done good, 2long. I hope my (someday) kids turn out as good as you.

Sorry 2long to hear your sad news.

Like Believer I feel a poem can express so much, so for your & your Dad..

He is not dead -
But only flying higher,
Higher than he's flown before,
And earthly limitations
Will hinder him no more.

There is no service ceiling,
Or any fuel range,
And there is no anoxia,
Or need for engine change.
Thank God that now his flight can be
To heights his eyes had scanned,
Where he can race with comets,
And buzz the rainbow's span.

For he is universal
Like courage, love and hope,
And all free, sweet emotions
Of vast and godly scope.

And understand a pilot's Fate
Is not the thing he fears,
But rather sadness left behind,
Your heartbreak and your tears.

So all you loved ones, dry your eyes,
Yes, it is wrong that you should grieve,
For he would love your courage more,
And he would want you to believe
He is not dead.
You should have known
That he is only flying higher,
Higher than he's ever flown

Celestial Flight
Elizabeth MacKethan Magid

Prayers for your family and Dad 2long

2long, your dad must have been quite a man. I'm sorry you've lost him.

GC

My dear 2L,

My deepest sympathies to you and your family. Both you and your dad have a lot to be proud of. Good father and son relationships are t/b cherished. They are special in every way.

{{{Hugz,}}}
L.

((((( 2long ))))

My prayers for your father, and for you.

(((2long))) I'm sorry to hear this news.

Your dad must have really been proud of you. I'm sure he is saying "thank YOU for being my son". I'm glad you got to visit him recently.

Peace to you and your family,
Susan

{{2Long}}, I am very sorry for your loss. I am sure your father left this earth proud of his accomplishments, especially you..his son.

No greater legacy than this.

(((((2long)))))

2long,

I am so sorry - I know you've been expecting this; but it's still hard.

Another favorit RB Book - There's No Such Place As Far Away.

A piece from it is, "Can miles truly separate us from friends? If we want to be with someone we love, aren't we already there?"

Then there's, "Fly free and happy beyond birthdays and across forever, and we'll meet now and then when we wish, in the midst of the one celebration that never can end."

Blessings to you and your family

I never know what to say at times like this. Nothing you say ever seems enough.

Wish I did though, I really wish I did.

Glad you have so many friends, hope it helps.

SS

My condolences. ((((2long))))

{{{2long}}}

I am sorry for the loss of your Dad.
It's good that he was lucid to the end.

My Dad died at 86 yrs old in '89. My mom didn't make it as long. She died when she was 52 (in '67)....my current age. I still miss her but at times I can feel her with me.

It must be a blessing that you were able to see him last month.

2,

I'm sure your dad was a fine man - and proud of you.

Though it was more than 10 years ago, I clearly remember the breathtaking shock of my Dad's passing. We all expected it. It was time. It was a relief for him. But, when the phone rang at 2am, and my brother gave me the news, it was still a tremendous shock.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

-AD