When dad died, apart of me died too. I never did tell him how I felt about my life and how he affected it. Like I had said, I didn't get to know him very well, when I was young. He just wouldn't talk about his life in WWII.

It wasn't until he joined the ex-pow's that we found out. I wanted to let him know, I understood and I didn't hate him for my childhood. It was just understood. When he died I knew I had to write something to be said at his funeral, that would say it all. I couldn't say it myself, but, it needed to be said. The minister read it for me.


Here is what I wrote:


Dad,

As I was growing up, I was just trying to be a normal kid, it wasn't easy, but, I didn't know.

I wanted to play and make noise, but, I didn't know.

I hated to wake you up for dinner, but, I didn't know.

I thought it was because you didn't like me, but, I didn't know.

I followed the footsteps of my friends and took their advice over yours, but, I didn't know.

When fads were going around and I put a swastika on my hand, I thought you were old fashioned when you made me scrub it off, but, I didn't know.

As I got older, I just tried to stay away, but, I didn't know.

Then I learned what I didn't know.

You hated the swastika, because of what it represented.

I learned that in the prison camp, the guards would come in and blow a whistle in your ear to wake you up, hoping you would swing at them, so they could shoot you.

You needed quiet, because of the two years you had to spend in the German prison camp.

I learned you had experiences that we could never understand and your only true desire was the best for all of us.

I learned that you didn't dislike me, but, you loved me more than I could ever know.

I learned what you went through, and I understood.

Dad, I thanked you Saturday Night, for what you went through for all of us. I couldn't say it good enough, though. You taught me to be willing to fight for my country and to die for the freedoms, we should really cherish more than we do.

I thank you for paying a price, so I can have the life I have today.

Dad, I love you and I will miss you more than I can say

Dad, I never thought I had one, but, you are my hero.

God Bless You Dad


Your youngest son Jim.



The next page is a picture of dad, me, my son and Bud's great-granddaughter