Passing of a Hero

GoldenRivet · 01-18-09, 10:52 PM

Today, Sunday, the 18th of January 2009, at approximately 8:20 am my Grandfather passed away at the age of 89.

Aside from being my personal hero, he was a hero of the second world war serving under Patton. He was a participant in every major campaign between Normandy and the Occupation of Germany.

A coal miner and heavy truck driver during the pre-war years, he enlisted into the United States Army on December 8th 1941 and became a sharp shooter with the rank of Corporal.

After the war years he settled down in Indiana, married and eventually moved his 3 sons and 3 daughters to Eastern Kentucky on a quiet little farm house just outside the town of Harlan.

His legacy is his massive family. Between his six children he has scores of grandchildren and great grandchildren.

His life epitomizes the story of a World War II Infantryman who served his time in hell, and spent the rest of his life seeking peace with all around him.

Today i have lost a Grandfather, a hero and a friend, but i am eternally grateful for the times I had with him in my 29 years - and I will do my best to honor him throughout the rest of my life.

Rest in peace Grandpa.

I love you.

nikimcbee · 01-18-09, 11:02 PM

GR, I'm sorry to hear of your loss.

Your family will be in our prayers.

Digital_Trucker · 01-18-09, 11:10 PM

May peace be with him. My condolences to you and your family, and my thanks for his service to us all.

TarJak · 01-19-09, 12:49 AM

Sad news indeed. Give him the send off he deserves and keep your chin up.

magic452 · 01-19-09, 12:59 AM

Very sorry to hear of the loss of yet another of the GREATEST GENERATION and your personal loss as well.
There are so few left that each one who passes to his reward is a loss for all of us.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Magic452

Task Force · 01-19-09, 01:09 AM

Sorry to hear about your grandfather. I know how it feels. My last grandfather died in February 08, he served in the Korean war. If i remember it correctly, he was gonna turn 67 in later that month.

bookworm_020 · 01-19-09, 01:20 AM

Sad to hear of your loss

My last Grandfather passed away in 2000. He missed the worse of the fighting, but lost a lot of good mates. Just like yours he lived a quiet life devoted to his family.

HunterICX · 01-19-09, 04:39 AM

May he rest in peace ~Salute~

HunterICX

Dowly · 01-19-09, 05:33 AM

So sorry to hear that.

RIP

GoldenRivet · 01-19-09, 07:03 AM

thanks for the kind words, our flight departs in a few hours.

better get moving.

back in a few days.

Oberon · 01-19-09, 08:49 AM

Take care mate, he's with his other squaddies that have gone ahead of him now, having one heck of a time I'd say

He has my salute as a great man and hero.

ReallyDedPoet · 01-19-09, 08:55 AM

My condolences GR.

RDP

AVGWarhawk · 01-19-09, 09:01 AM

Sorry to hear that GR. Sounds like your Grandfather took life by the horns and had a very busy ride. The best part is you were able to be a part of his life and learn from his life experiences. May he rest in peace.

Schroeder · 01-19-09, 11:25 AM

Sorry to hear that.

May he rest in peace.

Enigma · 01-19-09, 12:21 PM

Sorry to hear of your loss.

You can be grateful for the time you had with him! Both of my Grandfathers are WWII vets with amazing stories to tell, yet I heard few of them and understood less, as they both passed when I was still a kid. You are fortunate to have had time as an adult with him!

01-18-09, 10:52 PM	#1
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	Passing of a Hero Today, Sunday, the 18th of January 2009, at approximately 8:20 am my Grandfather passed away at the age of 89. Aside from being my personal hero, he was a hero of the second world war serving under Patton. He was a participant in every major campaign between Normandy and the Occupation of Germany. A coal miner and heavy truck driver during the pre-war years, he enlisted into the United States Army on December 8th 1941 and became a sharp shooter with the rank of Corporal. After the war years he settled down in Indiana, married and eventually moved his 3 sons and 3 daughters to Eastern Kentucky on a quiet little farm house just outside the town of Harlan. His legacy is his massive family. Between his six children he has scores of grandchildren and great grandchildren. His life epitomizes the story of a World War II Infantryman who served his time in hell, and spent the rest of his life seeking peace with all around him. Today i have lost a Grandfather, a hero and a friend, but i am eternally grateful for the times I had with him in my 29 years - and I will do my best to honor him throughout the rest of my life. Rest in peace Grandpa. I love you. __________________

01-18-09, 11:02 PM	#2
nikimcbee Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Patroling the Slot. Posts: 17,952 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	GR, I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Your family will be in our prayers. __________________

01-18-09, 11:10 PM	#3
Digital_Trucker Silent Hunter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The Peach State Posts: 4,171 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 10	May peace be with him. My condolences to you and your family, and my thanks for his service to us all. __________________ RSM-GIEP-Killflags-LV Tribute-Playable Elco __Peace be with you, Dave.

01-19-09, 01:09 AM	#6
Task Force Rear Admiral Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SPACE!!!! Posts: 10,142 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	Sorry to hear about your grandfather. I know how it feels. My last grandfather died in February 08, he served in the Korean war. If i remember it correctly, he was gonna turn 67 in later that month. __________________ Task Force industries "Taking control of the world, one mind at a time"

01-19-09, 01:20 AM	#7
bookworm_020 Navy Seal Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sinking ships off the Australian coast Posts: 5,966 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Sad to hear of your loss My last Grandfather passed away in 2000. He missed the worse of the fighting, but lost a lot of good mates. Just like yours he lived a quiet life devoted to his family. __________________ "There is always one person in any organization who knows whats going on, That person must be fired"

01-19-09, 12:49 AM	#4
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	Sad news indeed. Give him the send off he deserves and keep your chin up.

01-19-09, 12:59 AM	#5
magic452 Sea Lord Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Reno Nevada USA Posts: 1,860 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	Very sorry to hear of the loss of yet another of the GREATEST GENERATION and your personal loss as well. There are so few left that each one who passes to his reward is a loss for all of us. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Magic452

01-19-09, 04:39 AM	#8
HunterICX Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2006 Location: Malaga, España Posts: 10,750 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	May he rest in peace ~Salute~ HunterICX __________________

01-19-09, 05:33 AM	#9
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,052 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	So sorry to hear that. RIP

01-19-09, 07:03 AM	#10
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	thanks for the kind words, our flight departs in a few hours. better get moving. back in a few days. __________________

01-19-09, 08:49 AM	#11
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Take care mate, he's with his other squaddies that have gone ahead of him now, having one heck of a time I'd say He has my salute as a great man and hero.

01-19-09, 08:55 AM	#12
ReallyDedPoet Canadian Wolf Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canada. The one and only, East Coast Posts: 10,886 Downloads: 946 Uploads: 5	My condolences GR. RDP __________________ Back in the Day

01-19-09, 09:01 AM	#13
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,256 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Sorry to hear that GR. Sounds like your Grandfather took life by the horns and had a very busy ride. The best part is you were able to be a part of his life and learn from his life experiences. May he rest in peace. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

01-19-09, 11:25 AM	#14
Schroeder Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Banana Republic of Germany Posts: 6,170 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	Sorry to hear that. May he rest in peace. __________________ Putting Germ back into Germany.

01-19-09, 12:21 PM	#15
Enigma The Old Man Join Date: May 2005 Location: At comms depth, obviously. Posts: 1,476 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	Sorry to hear of your loss. You can be grateful for the time you had with him! Both of my Grandfathers are WWII vets with amazing stories to tell, yet I heard few of them and understood less, as they both passed when I was still a kid. You are fortunate to have had time as an adult with him! __________________ "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." -Mark Twain