My Dad

I thought it would be appropriate to tell you about my Dad today since it is Veterans Day.

He is a Vietnam Vet. He never talks about it and the little I know, I either heard it from my Mom or saw pictures he took while there when I was snooping in their room. Yes, I snooped. Who didn't? He did not wait for the draft, instead, enlisted on his own. He is a very proud man and should be. He served our country because he believes in it. He has had many problems because of his time spent there but continues to go on every day without expecting a hand out. He has made me one proud daughter.

There is so much more to him though.

He is an amazing Dad and always has been. He has ALWAYS been there for me when I needed him most and even when I thought I didn't. I have wonderful childhood memories thanks to him and my Mom. He was home with us when he should have been and didn't go out to bars or anything.

He would take me hunting, fishing, bowling, camping, to the lake... and the list goes on. He always made sure we had a good time. He was the one to teach me how to play softball and was my batting coach. He always put us first.

Some of my favorite memories.

Throwing up in his plane and him chunking it out the window (it smelled really bad).

Him wearing the ugliest clip-on tie in the world with a t-shirt to a soccer tournament because I gave it to him for Fathers Day (as a joke, the joke was on me).

Beating the gar he cought while bow fishing.

Helping him build a fense at the deer lease.

Learning how to ski in his boat and driving said boat.

Catching a big bass with a gummy worm and having to throw it back because it was pregnant (I think he just didn't want to clean it).

Only hearing his voice when I was in the batters box.

His compasion when he found out I was 16 and pregnant.

Playing golf with him and laughing so hard we couldn't even swing the club.

Him holding my children for the first time.

Digging threw junk yards looking for old car parts.

Thanking him for my favorite doll (Sally) when I found out about Santa Clause.


I could go on forever but I wont.

He has helped teach me to be and do anything I put my mind to. I am blessed that I married a man a lot like him. I would say 'just' but I tend to compare Hubby to him a lot when Hubby pisses me off. It's Hubby's fault though, he askes "What man wouldn't do that?" and I tell him. My Dad, that's who.

He has so many great qualities about him and some that just annoy me. Mainly because I am a lot like him. I am stubborn, a smart ass, emotional, hate to admit when I am wrong and really love my family just like him. One of the only things I would change about my life are some of the things I have said to him when I was younger. I would not be who I am today without him. He is a good ole country boy that raised me right. He still comes to my rescue whenever I need him and I know he always will. Whether it be a busted up alternator in my car or a broken heart.

I am very proud of my Dad for serving our country and for being the man he was and still is to this day. I have often said, He has to live forever because I don't think I could handle life without him. I love him more than I could ever show him.

His favorite quote: "Freedom has a taste, the protected will never know."