My Dad would have been 75 today.

[PragMantisT]

He passed away in June of 1997. He had lung cancer which was cured, but by the time he was cured he had developed an inoperable brain tumor.

He was a Democrat until the Reagan years. He always said that every war he fought in was started by a Republican. He was a USAF pilot. He flew the P-51 Mustang (greatest plane ever) and KC-135's. He had pictures of the SR-71 when it was a secret weapon. He flew the air refueling routes out of Thule A.B. in Greenland. He did his twenty years and retired. He sent five kids through college. We always had food, clothes and shelter. He was fanatical about the crossword puzzles in the newspaper which he read daily. He was a scratch golfer; friends have said that he could have gone pro. He took us on many vacations. Usually we would leave by 6 a.m. He never left the house without a six-pack of Miller light, but never drove drunk. He and my mom smoked pot once; he said it kicked his ass. He drank two Martinis after work. He hated the dogs but couldn't live without them. He once resuscitated one that bit through a lamp cord.

He was a good guy.

Sadly, I'm glad he is not here to see what a mess things have become.

Happy Birthday, Pa.

[For PaisAn]

1. Happy Birthday to your Dad

Sounds like he was a good father.

[silverlib]

2. What wonderful memories.

My dad was a good Democrat, too, and he also talked about all the big wars the Republicans started, just as yours did.

I love my memories and feel so bad for those that aren't so blessed as to have them to carry with them.

We are so fortunate.

[Cobalt Violet]

3. How sad.

How terrible a thing lung cancer is. My dad also died of it, as did my aunt, and 1 grandmother. My father's birthday will be in a few weeks and Father's day and his birthday are hard days for me.

He was also a democrate that served. He started smoking in a foxhole in Korea. Free government cigarettes they gave the troops back them. They just sent them into foxholes with complementary cigarettes. Who wouldn't start smoking! As a poor boy drafted out of South Boston he couldn't afford shoes never mind cigarettes. Well, it killed him.

I miss the talks with my dad about the religous wackos, and right wingers. We saw eye to eye about those things.