Happy Birthday Dad
Today would have been my Dad's 88th birthday. He was born on June 4th, 1918. This photo was taken on April 10th, 1942. He would have been about 24. He served in WWII over in Europe and North Africa chasing Rommel (The Desert Rat). He didn't see heavy fighting but he was a many famous places right after many famous things happened. there was one funny story that I remeber him telling where him and his company were coming into a friendly German village and he had his hands up over his head saying something like "nicht scheißen" which he thought was "don't shoot". Instead, he actually had said the German for "Don't Shit" which is something like "nicht schießen" (that old i before e thing).
He was also a very good harmonic player. He almost played with the group the Harmonicats. Unfortunately he had a pretty major stroke when I was 18 and he really could never play again. I had always wished that we had the chance to jam together, who knows if that would have happened. This other picture was taken maybe 20 years ago or so, Maybe a little longer. He died on August 3, 1989. He never got to see my kids.I miss him...
10 Comments:
I understand. Lost my mom when my kids were 2 and 1. She was so crazy about them. Every time I'm so proud of them, I always wish she was here to share it with me.
By
kathi, At
June 04, 2006 12:06 PM
I met your dad, remember?
I didn't realise that his stroke was so close to when we hung out in midland park. (1982-3) He was sick for a while. My mom was sick for one year with glioblastoma (brain cancer) .... that's when I nursed her in 1998. very rough and hell for us. I think its better sometimes when people have quick merciless illnesses.
By
NINANINA, At
June 04, 2006 1:19 PM
aw, P...that makes me sad because my dad's birthday is Saturday and he was in the Marines (not sure what branch your dad was) He told us all these crazy stories like his buddy begging him to slam his hand in a car door so he didn't have to go to Korea. And sad because my mom never got to see my daughter either. Maybe he's looking down on them?
By
JLee, At
June 04, 2006 4:40 PM
Phil, I love the military photo of your Dad. The second photo is sweet..love his cap! You really favor your Dad.
Definitely a bittersweet day for you, my friend.
By
Kayla, At
June 04, 2006 6:45 PM
My dad's birthday was May 22nd and my daughter Katie who passed away birthday is June 17th. Anniversary and Birthdays are a difficult time. You're in my thoughts.
By
Rose, At
June 05, 2006 12:12 AM
{{hugs}}
By
boo, At
June 05, 2006 2:38 AM
Yes, I agree with Boo, big HUGS. That military picture of your dad is great! I love old photos like that... I hope you are doing well.
By
Sarah, At
June 05, 2006 6:26 AM
Happy Birthday to your Dad! He knows that you remember him. How sad that he didn't get to see your kids, he would have enjoyed them.
My Dad had great stories from WWII but only told the funny ones to us kids. He died of cancer in 2000, I miss him.
By
PBS, At
June 05, 2006 7:43 AM
Wow, Hoppy Hoofday to your Dad!
Nice story. I love stuff like that and it must be so interesting to talk to someone who was actually there!
By
DoGGa, At
June 05, 2006 4:18 PM
My dad died of cancer in 1983. He would have been 83 this year. I wrote about him too here:
http://inherentvalue.blogspot.com/2006/01/my-father-genius-my-father-mahmud-al.html
Like you the greatest sadness I have is that he has never met my children. Strangely my younger daughter reminds me of him because she has his teeth so every time she smiles it's like he's appeared in the room.
By
snowqueen, At
June 12, 2006 3:35 PM
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