Thursday, June 28, 2018
Grandpa, your life will always be remembered through our family. Some of my favorite early memories of our time was in Indiana when I would try and sneak past you in your chair to snatch a Dr. Pepper from the fridge behind the bar. Sometimes you would catch me and make sure I got a cold one (always reminding me to restock) and sometimes I would catch you while you were napping. Dr pepper is still my favorite, maybe thats why. Your personality was HUGE and for small children was sometimes intimidating. But, I will always remain inspired by your ability to connect to people and how you always seemed to know everybody wherever you were. The importance of networking is probably one of the first of many adult lessons I learned from you. Later in my life as I was ready to start my adult journey you were the only one who believed in us. I appreciate more than you know your willingness to assist me in enlisting in the Army and letting me use your home as a safe space to explore my options of journeying into adulthood. You are strong, confidant, and proud; Qualities I hope to carry on in my life and on to your Great-Grandchildren. Thank you for your love, guidance, and confidence in me! Although we will miss you, I am happy to know you have your freedom from the pain of this world. See you soon!
Jeremy
Grandpa,
When my father passed away from cancer a few years ago, you were there. You knew all too well the hardships of being in a military family and you were the only one who seemed to be able to sit there with me and understand exactly how it felt to have two sons one of which was a brand new colicky baby, and a deployed husband for the second time in 3 years all while experiencing the emotional rollercoaster I was in. Sitting downstairs with you having a glass of brandy (that you always had stocked just for me), was comforting. There was a familiar feel to spending time with you and Grandma that I didn’t get anywhere else. Finding out that you fought right along side my own grandfather in the Korean war was quite powerful and a connection that provided contentment and consolation in place of the cavity I had for my own grandfather passing years before and now my father. The strength that you possessed was to some, a “threatening and sometimes scary” quality, but to myself I found it a captivating quality to anyone who sought greatness from within. Our children looked forward to going and spending time with you and got a kick out of how you use to bellow at them to “be careful” and “ make sure you get them a coke”. Thanks for always being there for a laugh, a good cry or a cold drink. Thanks for the unconditional love of a father. Till we meet again. Cheers!
~Nicole
Pop pop,
Hello. I miss you. Last time I visited you I drank almost all of your soda…that was pretty cool. Thanks to you, I love anything with strawberry ice cream, WWII, Korean War, or basically all military. I loved your stories of war and making fun of Kim Jong Un…”PROTECT MY CHOO CHOO TRAINS!!! “ Im really gonna miss you. You inspired me to want to join the military and at the same time…told me it would be a waste of my lifetime…lol. History is my passion because of you. I loved it when I came down to the basement and saw you with a cigar and watching black and white movies. Im never going to forget those times with you. Thank you.
Love Noah (aka swifty)
3180 Bellevue Avenue