So, I’m at my mom’s today reviewing some old family folders full of stuff and she tells me a little story that I didn’t know about my dad.
Apparently, while serving in the military, an officer asked my dad and his fellow soldiers to volunteer for an undisclosed “something.” My dad, never one to sit by and let life happen around him, volunteered. As it turns out, he volunteered for the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles! I had no idea! I knew my dad had an incredible and scary time during his service, earning a Purple Heart and a couple other medals, but I did not know he trained to be a Screaming Eagle! How freaking cool is that?
It’s amazing that almost 32 years after his death that I still get to learn new things about my dad. I always knew he was brave, but to jump out of a plane? There isn’t enough money in the world for his wimpy daughter to do that.
I’m proud of you, Daddy. What an amazing man you were.
Daddy and me about 35 years ago
Stop it–you’re making me cry!
Great post–we never know what stories we’re missing out on from our parents or grandparents, do we? And often, the people are gone before we even realize that we wanted to know more.
LikeLike
Hey there Sylvia. You are always so sweet.🙂
It is amazing how you think you know so much about a person but can then still be so surprised. I was just delighted to hear this story about my dad. I had no clue. I’m sure he’s up in Heaven right now showing off his battle scars.🙂
LikeLike
Your stories about your Dad are wonderful. Only the body leaves, the feelings, personality, stories and love linger on with us as their caretakers, and you caretake fabulously🙂
LikeLike
Thank you so much. What a kind thing to say. It’s nice to be able to remember my dad publicly. He was such a fascinating man.🙂
LikeLike
Awesome. Very awesome discovery of your Dad. Great picture too.
LikeLike
I was so tickled when my mom shared it with me. I had no clue! Thanks for the sweetness about the picture. We both look so sleepy!🙂
LikeLike
thats life, dear… its like watching a movie half-way… v nevr think abt d past scenes & attempt to keep pace… but they do exist…….
LikeLike
Very true. It was really nice to learn something new about Dad. It helps keep the memories alive.
LikeLike
How absolutely brilliant! To find this out about your day must have made you nearly explode with pride for him (which would have been rather messy to clean up with all that blood and goo laying around)
In the UK, we have heard of them as well.
LikeLike
As always, you make me giggle.🙂 “Blood and goo laying around.” I just love you.🙂 Yeah, it was amazing to find that out. I was so young when he died that I didn’t know him as a man, just as a dad. I’m so glad my mom shared that with me.
LikeLike
Your mum sounds brilliant. All this information she’s giving you about him. She must have really, really loved him.
On a different note, I thought of you when I was speaking to my parents the other day. I was out at the shop with my mum and said something to her which prompted an answer for something unrelated. Then when we came back, my dad was making us all a cuppa. I said something to him and he gave me an unrelated answer. I just thought “Jodi would have a field day with this” Waited for them both to be in the same room and said “How does a conversation ever work between you two? ‘Would you like a cup of tea?’ ‘Oh yes please I will have a blow job'” So glad they found the funny side of it😀 It was actually your post from the other day that made me think of it.
LikeLike
Oh my God! I’m passing out laughing!! You tell THE best stories ever!!!🙂 Your parents sound awesome. ‘Would you like a cup of tea?’ ‘Oh yes please I will have a blow job’” That had my dying!!!
LikeLike
Oh believe me they can be a pain in the backside, but my sister and I can have a giggle at their expense some times😉
LikeLike
Must be wonderful learning new things about him. He was a very brave man, I see!
And that picture is so cute.
LikeLike
It was wonderful. Dad was a brave guy–never backed down from anything, including the occasional bar fight!😉
LikeLike
What an excellent tribute to your dad. God bless him, and I respect and honor him for his brave service to our nation!
LikeLike
Thank you, John. Dad did mostly hand-to-hand and didn’t talk much about it, so being able to hear this story just helped me solidify yet another image of him when he was young and full of life.🙂
LikeLike
awesome pic! It reminds me of my dad – he was in the army and air force. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
Thank you! Sounds like both of our dads kicked butt!🙂
LikeLike
I got one from my mom just last week. She an my father were both in the Canadian airforce in the early 60s. I knew that and I knew that is how they met. Never thought anything more of it. Then last week she told me that she was stationed at a Canadian base with 35 women and 200 men. Next to it was an American base with a couple thousand guys and no women. The Americans would come to the Canadian base’s bar and lure the women over to theirs. My mom went once. She was a tea totaller and was offended when they tried to slip something in her orange juice. She went back to the Canadian bar and sat with some of the Canadian men (my dad was in that group) and told them the story. The Americans tried to lure her back but she wouldn’t go. My parents are divorced now but I asked what was the attraction. He was nice looking (in a uniform especially) and he was funny. It was kinda nice to think of them in that way….you know…at people not as parents…..
LikeLike
What a wonderful story!!! It’s it amazing how a confluence of events, small as they may seem, can change the lives of people in such a huge and wonderful way.🙂 Sorry to hear they are divorced now, but it certainly seems like it was wonderful for quite a few years.🙂
LikeLike
It sounds like he was an amazing man. Great picture.
LikeLike
He really was. Thank you so much and thanks for stopping by.🙂
LikeLike
I love the picture because there is so much love in the picture. I don’t know the full story here. Is your dad still alive? I’m guessing not. And you didn’t really know him?
LikeLike
Thank you!!! I did love Daddy so much. He was killed in a hunting incident when I was 10, so I was blessed to have him for a little over a decade. Were he still alive, I’m sure he’d still have me wearing turtlenecks and skirts down to my ankles. I’d be a 42 year old virgin who’d never been on a date! He’d have scared away any got that even got close.🙂
LikeLike
I love this story about your dad and I’m so glad that you are still getting to learn so many cool things about him! I also wanted to say thanks so much for following my site (diary of a jaded heart). I wanted to let you know that I’ve moved it to a new site in case you would like to continue following – http://diaryofajadedheart.wordpress.com/, have a great day!!
LikeLike
Thank you, doll. What a sweet comment. I’ll head over right now and follow at your new page.🙂
LikeLike
Will you look at that little girl? She’s absolutely adorable. Anyways, this is awesome. I used to build parts for the C-130 and only lived an hour away from Fort Campbell so I have a few emotional ties to the 101st.
LikeLike
Awwww…thanks hon!!🙂 What a sweetiepie you are. Wow, you were right in the thick of it. Building parts for the C-130…how cool. We both have some love for 101st.🙂
LikeLike