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

You guys are just swell!

Thank you for the kind words and thoughtful poems and quotes!

I don't know if any of you saw it, but Venus and the Moon were close 2geether in the sky this evening. A beautiful sight. I 2k pic2res.

I think my dad did that.

-ol' 2long <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My dad used 2 call my mom "Sweetheart" all the time. I always thought it was corny, but not anymore. It's from a song he was fond of. I don't know if it was his favorite, but it might have been... ...I'll ask my sisters.

"Let Me Call You Sweetheart" - Beth Slater Whitson

"I am dreaming Dear of you, day by day
Dreaming when the skies are blue, When they're gray;
When the silv'ry moonlight gleams, Still I wander on in dreams,
In a land of love, it seems, Just with you.

Let me call you "Sweetheart," I'm in love with you.
Let me hear you whisper that you love me too.
Keep the love-light glowing in your eyes so true.
Let me call you "Sweetheart," I'm in love with you.

Longing for you all the while, More and more;
Longing for the sunny smile, I adore;
Birds are singing far and near, Roses blooming ev'rywhere
You, alone, my heart can cheer; You, just you.

Let me call you "Sweetheart," I'm in love with you.
Let me hear you whisper that you love me too.
Keep the love-light glowing in your eyes so true.
Let me call you "Sweetheart," I'm in love with you."

-ol' 2long

You are being hugged right now. The very best squidges are saved for you 2night.

- Kimmy

Ole 2long - my friend i have not met - (almost...)

my condolences - my grief for you.

I get the feeling that you feel great loss - but great magic with your father's last flight.

God's peace to you, sir.

I will pray for you.

May your father's flight be as exciting as he hoped for...

far

I don't know if any of you saw it, but Venus and the Moon were close 2geether in the sky this evening. A beautiful sight. I 2k pic2res.

I think my dad did that.

I *know* he did, 2Long.

I remembered a really simple poem when I read of your father's passing and thought I might post it for you.

Gentle hugs to you and your family, and those that knew & loved him.


slh
_________________________________________________________

THE PILOT

Someday we’ll know where the pilots go
When their work on earth is through
Where the air is clean and the engines gleam
And the skies are clear and blue.
They have flown, with the engine’s moan
As they climbed to the great beyond
And taken delight at the awesome sight
Of the world spread far and ‘yond
And how they love, and are beloved,
But their love is most for air
With wings spread out, they still fly out
And leave their troubles there.
How near to God, these men of sod
Who come near danger’s door;
They are real, not made of steel
He knows who goes before.
Yet not alone, above their home
When the earth is out of sight
They make their stand, He takes their hand
And guides them through the night.
He knows these things, of men and wings
And they are surely true.
He’ll give a hand to such a man,
Because He’s a pilot, too.


©Leo D. Hymas, 1978

Peter Gabriel, "Father, Son":

"Father, son
Locked as one
In this empty room
Spine against spine
Yours against mine
Till the warmth comes through

Remember the breakwaters down by the waves
I first found my courage
Knowing daddy could save
I could hold back the tide
With my dad by my side

Dogs, plows and bows
We move through each pose
Struggling in our seperate ways
Mantras and hymns
Unfolding limbs
Looking for release through the pain

And the yogi's eyes are open
Looking up above
He too is dreaming of his daddy's love
With his dad by his side
Got his dad by his side

Can you recall
How you took me to school
We couldn't talk much at all
It's been so many years
And now these tears
Guess I'm still a child

Out on the moors
We take a pause
See how far we have come
You're moving quite slow
How far can we go
Father and son

With my dad by my side
With my dad by my side
Got my dad by my side
With me"

May time mercifully dull the pain you must now feel.

I'll raise a glass to your dad 2long.

2L,

That sighting was visible waay out here also. We got a pix of it. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

It was a very special sighting. Venus and the moon. Wow.

Keeping happy thoughts for you and your dad.

Hugz,
L.

2Long:

I honor your father, who brought you up to be a man among men. You'll be in my thoughts today. In all of this, be well my friend.

so sorry to hear it, 2Long. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

thoughts are with you..
may your grief be gentle...

ARK

2long, so sorry for the loss of your dear dad. You have had many years to appreciate and love him, which also means you will miss him. I am glad he died peacefully. HUGS! CV

{{{{{{{{2Long}}}}}}}}}

My thoughts and prayers are with you. God blessed you with a father that helped to shape the man you are today. Take comfort in you memories.

2long,

My condolences to you and your family.

committed

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
(((2long)))

-rh- & Lady Elina

2Long,

You truely have my condolences. I know how you feel and was doing good reading the posts until I came to Believer quoting High Flight, sort of lost it. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I wanted to read it at my fathers funeral many years ago, but knew I could never get through it. He too was a pilot in WWII and was at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked.

I think as others have said you have done your father proud, and that is something you need to remember. It will carry you along as you now carry the torch.

God Bless,

JL

These men and women really were THE GREAT GENERATION ...

So sad to see them disappear one by one. My Dad is frail since Mom died last year ... but his strength has inspired me to push through my own grief and enjoy the life I have been blessed with.

My dad died of motor neurone desease in 2000.

He served in the royal navy in WW2. He sailed to New york on the Queen Mary with his ship mates to pick up a US-built frigate.

On Atlantic convoy duty his ship was torpedoed. He jumped overboard with his best friend. His friend was lost but Dad spent 6 hours in the north atlantic. He was 20 at the time.

The nightmare of his ordeal haunted him for most of his life. He met an officer from the U-boat which sank his ship at a shipmates reunion many years later. They embraced as brothers...total unconditional forgiveness.

WS´s parents have also died in the past 5 years. They met at Belsen when they were both sergeants in a british hospital unit in 1945. Something good can come out of total horror.

Both sets of parents were married for over 50 years without going astray.

We can learn a lot from our parents generation...some lessons for MBers here.

You´re right to be proud of your dad, 2long.

From one Navy flier to another, wishing...

"Fair Winds, and following Sea's"

2long,

I haven't met you, but I can tell by your posts that your father did an outstanding job raising his son. The father son relationship is a special one. My thoughts are with you.

HTW

2long,

My sincere condolences. I bet your dad was an outstanding person. I wish I had met him.

Was he in Europe or the Pacific theater? I ask because my uncle, who is also 88 this year was a pilot in the Pacific theater. Maybe they knew each other.

Also, 2long, Venus, Moon and Jupiter are all closing in on each other. I think conjunction is Sept 1. A metaphor for increasing closeness even after this time, perhaps.

With prayers,

My prayers and thoughts are with you.

Sorry for your loss.

Ap:

My dad was in the Pacific.

He was 2 be assigned 2 the torpedo squadron that lost all but one pilot during the battle of Midway, but was transfered the week before the battle 2 Widby Island. Then, 2 Dutch Harbor, Alaska, where I think he spent the remainder of the war.

He was missing 2 fingers of his left hand, and had been temporarily blinded after a crash landing on a carrier in rough seas. They said he'd never fly again, but he was back in the air within a 2ple months.

He never talked much about it, but we do have some photos of him and his squadron, including one in front of one of their Wildcats on the airstrip. I didn't even know how much had happened there until a few years ago when I was watching a program on Discovery Wings about the Army Air Corp in Alaska. They mentioned the Navy's involvement, but the program was mostly about the army pilots. The Japanese had set up air bases and seaports on a couple of the eastern Aleutian islands, and the pilots from Dutch Harbor had to fly something like 500 miles, often in bad weather, 2 engage them. My dad said they typically had less than about 15 minutes over their targets (which were often hard 2 see through cloud cover), before they had 2 2rn around so they'd have enough fuel for the re2rn flight. The Japanese attacked Dutch Harbor on at least one occasion, as well.

He loved flying, and always wanted 2 build his own airplane, but never did (raised 5 kids instead!!!).

-ol' 2long

I understand your dad's not wanting to talk about it much.

I have never been able to get my uncle to talk about his WWII flying experiences except in general terms. He was part of the air cover during landings for the island hopping all the way to Okinawa.

And my own dad was in the second wave on Iwo Jima. He wouldn't talk about it at all. Not even once.

I've noticed that the people in the thick of the fighting don't seem to have much if any war stories - unlike like those who were on the margins seem to.

We have a family friend that was a WWII pilot. Fascinating stories.

I'm so sorry for your loss 2long. You and your family will be in my prayers.

God bless,
Carol

We just got back from the memorial services last night.

I was wrong about some things. My sisters found a loan application for the last house my mom and dad bought 2gether that had a copy of his discharge papers attached.

Prior 2 his time in Dutch Harbor, he was on the Saratoga and the Yorktown. There isn't any detailed information on the discharge form, just places and ships he was stationed on, plus mention that he received 4 stars for service in the Asiatic Pacific, including Phillipine Liberation, and another star and ribbon that I'll have 2 look further in2 when I can.

We have none of his stars or other service awards, and as I said, he never really talked about the war much.

-ol' 2long

It's fun to find stuff like that.

I don't know what you are feeling now, never having been there yet. I hope it's not to uncomfortable.

I know all of us will make the same trip your dad made, none of us gets out of here alive, but it has to set you to thinking some days.

Wishing you a happy week.

SS

2Long,

I'm glad you've had a chance to find out more about your dad's war service.

My dad was in the navy too - was in the pacific. He was a "communications" guy - a.k.a. radio man, so not in the heaviest fighting as far as I know. He was in the phillipines after the Japanese were driven out, I think - for quite some time. He never would tell stories either - except just one or two - and nothing to do with combat.

It wasn't til after he died that I figured out that he joined the navy two days after Pearl was bombed. He was teaching school at the time, and the Navy let him finish out his contract and report to them in May.

-AD