Happy Memorial Day....

I called Dad this morning to wish him a happy Memorial Day. The nurse told me he had a visitor. She described my sister, Holly. I called her cell and she put me on with Dad.  He sounded wonderful!

So happy, I could hear his big smile. She emailed this picture of Dad to all of us.  She took an American flag to him and attached it to the back of his wheel chair.

Dad told me it was a beautiful day and he was having a wonderful time with Holl Doll, Dad's nick name for her. I told Dad how much I loved him and I wanted to thank him for all he went through, fighting for our country. He said he was so happy and proud to be a Marine.  I told him we were proud of him as a Marine, but also very thankful he is our Dad.  He thanked me as his heart poured over with love as he expressed his love for the entire family...

He told how much he loved all the great grand children, grand children, his children and all his family and friends.  He was very PROUD, PROUD, PROUD, PROUD of his boys and girls.... When Dad says 'his boys & girls', he not only refers to his four sons and two daughters, but also his six grand sons, six grand daughters and his two and a half great grand sons.

One of his most precious possessions is a white sweatshirt with the first names of each of his twelve grand children, listed down the front in two columns. 

Dad served in the Marine Corps and was in the Second  Marine Division fighting in the Battle of Tarawa.  It is known as one of the bloodiest battles in Marine history.  None of his six children, grand kids or great grand kids would have been born had he died on that beach over those three days of constant battle.

Thank you Dad for who you are and for the untold horrors you experienced fighting for our freedom and our country. It is a happy Memorial Day, having you.