Another one of "The Greatest Generation" members is gone

[navy2kcoupe]

Guys, I lost my Father on Sunday March 15, 2009.
Dad was 92 years and 7 months old, and had been in an Alzheimer's lock
down unit for about 5 years. My Mom died in 2002, and my 2 brothers and
I figured that Dad would go within about 6 months. Having to put him in the
Alzheimer's unit definitely added years to his life, but it wasn't much of a life.
The last time I went to see him, he was sure that he was on summer break
from school, was sure that he was still living at home with his mother, was
sure that his father was still working for the city, and was sure that his brother
John was still around. I'm gonna be 63 in May, and his Father as well as his
brother John were both dead BEFORE I was born.I'm pretty sure that he saw
me as one of his brothers, not his son. Anyway, he's the last one on both
my parent's side to pass away, and now he can visit with those family
members that he hasn't seen in a LONG time. I'm sure gonna miss him,
but I know that he's in a better place and that I'll get to see him again
sometime in the (distant I hope!) future. He was a veteran of WW2, and
served in (got drafted into) the Marine Corps in the South Pacific. He was
in the Solomon Islands, Iwo Jima, and Guadalcanal and was wounded
3 times, the last time seriously enough for him to be medically discharged.
Most American Doctors wanted to amputate his right leg, but one Australian
doctor convinced them to let him work on Dad's leg and wound up saving
it. To say that Dad had a soft spot in his heart for anything and everything
Australian would be putting it VERY mildly. Anyway........viewing on Thursday
March 19, 2009, with funeral services and burial (right next to Mom where
he always wanted to be when alive) on Friday March 20, 2009
All things considered, I'm OK with this and am smiling inside! [:-)........
"Semper Fi" Dad, enjoy your final PCS!
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt...obit_id=169120 if you want to view the obituary
Andy Anderson