MY HERO IS MY DAD~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY

67 years ago a child was born to an Immigrant Family in America. Now dad, this is my story, so go along with it. LOL (I can hear my father interrupting already)

67 years ago a child was born in a factory town with a lot of "Blue collared workers". His parents didn't have much, nor did they want for much. I think I can remember the story of not having indoor plumbing in their house in the city until he was roughly 16 years of age. Yes, my father walked 20 miles through the snow and ice to make it to school every day and there probably wasn't a kid on the playground he hadn't roughed up. He pretended to dislike stray animals, but there wasn't one out there he wouldn't feed, yes if you were our neighbor your dog was probably fed a pack of hot dogs in a day. (another interruption from my father, okay a half a pack of hot dogs)

My grandmother told me when I was young: she said when he was a little boy he used to take his soldier friends into battle on the mounds of what is now a park on Vail Street. She said he loved oranges and would peel them to use them as tanks, leading the troops into war.
A lack of effort in earlier education, will always weigh heavily on his mind, but he did graduate High School. Now to look at him with a Doctorate's degree, was that even the same person? Isn't that what America is all about, allowing us to choose our own paths and pushing ourselves for improvement?

Working different jobs such as Continental Steel, Delco Electronics (by the way, he is the man who wrote the letter for Delco to work with the Government for their radios in Vietnam) and lastly an owner of a Motorcycle shop selling Indians, Triumphs, Norton's and BSA's. Retiring as a Brigadier General, then retiring from a Credit Transaction company and now his latest retirement from the State as the Deputy Director for Logistics Public Health Preparedness and Emergency Response.

My father is my Hero, not just because he is my father, but because in reality, he is a HERO. He is a Veteran of the United States Army. With over 44 years of dedicated service to his country. Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, Master Parachutist- yes I can go on and on about his credentials, but I think the biggest part of why he is my Hero is for one simple reason. I worked for him. No pity for family either. I watched this man at the age of 53 (after taking his own physical training test) a Full Bird Colonel at the time get out on the track and run with a Private E-1 when that Private couldn't pass his physical training test. Never once did I respect someone more than that day. Honestly I don't think I've ever seen an officer higher then that out on the track lol. A person can lead, but in order for them to follow you, you must be their greatest example.

Growing up with this man was a free education. It didn't matter if it was the World's Largest ball of mud, we were loading up the Truckster and going to see it!

Dad, thank you for implementing HISTORY into my life, the importance of it and the importance of books, reading, travel, God and family.

He has finally retired, but don't be fooled by those words. I'm sure he's still out there on the sidelines rooting for all my fellow Patriots and backing the fundamentals of what made him a success and what pushed his family to come to America in the first place!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD- I LOVE YOU and I am so proud to call you my father.