PUBLISHED: Friday, July 27, 2007
Each day, 1,000 to 2,000 World War II veterans die nationally.
"I love you my sweet Jesus"
Culpeper national veterans cemetary
You are always with me Dad !
My dad had two hip surgeries in the last 2 years. In the last month I had applied for veterans benefits for my Dad. He didn't want the benefits because he was more concerned for the Iraq veterans. I finally got him registered at the Salem VA Hospital last Monday. Two weeks ago my dad had a stroke. I went down to see him in Virginia. He was able to make a complete smile for me, even though he was paralyzed on one side. My brother went to see him the weekend before last. Then last Wednesday the nurses called me and said my dad had caught pneumonia. I told them to get him to a hospital. My brother (privately) then called and said maybe it was best to let my dad pass. I didn't know how serious my dad was or what my brother had done.My brother later told me that he didn't have much chances for a decent life.
I left last Friday at 7pm to help canvass in new Hampshire Saturday for the Barack Obama Campaign and Baracks Birthday. When I arrived I received a call about 11am that my dad had made a turn for the worse. The nurses said he might not make it though the night. I was shocked. I wondered what I should do. I knew I had driven 7 hours to help the campaign and my dad was dying. I stayed and canvassed
(because like my Dad, he would have wanted me to help other veterans by helping Barack get elected to end this stupid war)
which ended at 3pm and at 3:15 I received a call that they were giving my dad morphine to ease his pain. I then headed south. At about 4:30 I was driving over a bridge and a lake in Massachusetts. I saw a bright light in the sky. Its was like nothing I had even seen before. I said to myself DAD?
In about 15 minutes the nurses called again and said that my Dad had gone un conscience. I kept driving and about 9pm I was in new jersey. I had picked up a hitchhiker in conn who helped me stay awake. He was heading west. We talked. Then about 9:15 the nurses called to say my dads body was turning colors. I called my brother who had just got out of a wedding. My brother said if I felt able I should keep driving. I also had to call a funeral home to pick up his body. My brother was tired from the wedding so I made that call. I kept driving and I had to smack my face constantly to stay awake and the rider had helped me too. I had arrived in staunton Virginia at 5:53 am. I walked into my dads room and he was breathing hard but I didn't realize his condition. I just saw him burning up. I placed some towels I had soaked in ice water to cool him down. I still didn't realize just how bad he was. I cried as I layed my head to his chest and heart and hugged him and then he slowly began to breathe slower. I then called the nurses and they came into the room. Within 2 minutes he gritted his teeth and passed away. He had allowed his body to stay alive until I got there and then he saw I was hurting so he stopped his body. I then realized the bright light over that lake in Massachusetts was my dad. I then went to his sister rose's nursing home. I told her that he was gone. I had been keeping her informed as I drove from new Hampshire to Virginia.
Sunday night I was able to get some sleep at my aunt rose's house in waynesboro Virginia. There I was visited in spirit by my Dad, my grandma, my grandfather (who had never visited me spiritually) and my uncle Charles, who I barely knew but lived many years at that house. It was short but sweet.
Yesterday I buried my dad at culpeper veterans cemetery. He was a Normandy veteran. He was the second wave after D-day. My brother was there to receive the flag. We are both Vietnam veterans. I told the man to put "I love you my sweet Jesus" under his name and dates etc. My other siblings were not able to make it. There had been some issues they had but my brother and myself knew dad had suffered much from WWII. We had forgiven him for his issues over 20 years ago. We had been visiting him since the late 80's. My Dad had taught me how to work. He use to say a "nickel a bag" which meant we could earn some money by collecting weeds in a paper grocery bag and he would give us a nickel. He also prayed with me each night as a child. I would always end the prayer with "goodnight my sweet Jesus - I love you my sweet Jesus" My Dad would say that's a Danie prayer! My dad also taught me to plant vegetables and most of my life I have planted gardens if not for me for someone who had the space. This year I did plant mostly flowers for the woman I care give, but I did get a volunteer tomato plant which so far just has flowers due to it being in a shaded location. It was from my composting pile.
I finally got back to Phila last night. I had a friend take over for me (taking care of the 84 year old woman I care give)
I did just receive a call about my campobama training next weekend. I told them I would be able to make it.
Dad you are always with me now. You will help guide me in all I do just like nanny has been doing.
PUBLISHED: Friday, July 27, 2007
Each day, 1,000 to 2,000 World War II veterans die nationally.