Ron J
Active member
Reading a "post" below,jogged the "memorybank" abit.So figured i'd share this memory before it got buried again.
My Parents were fortunate enough to retire to Florida for 20 years or so.They owned a trailer in Fort Lauderdale/Dania area.That trailer was PARIDISE to my Mother.Dad enjoyed it,but i don't think as much as Mom did.
Their first trailer was across from Ft.Lauderdale Airport.I MEAN across the street!The park was mostly Canadian,and most could only speak French.My Mom was a "frenchfry" so she was right at home! Dad was Portuegese,so no comprende French!He managed though.
When the Airport expanded in the late 70's?,they bought a double,a few miles up at the second park. They would visit most summers with me,in Massachusetts,and leave in the fall.
In the summer of 1989,they left,and as usual,would stop in North Carolina,for a few days,to visit my older brothers family,then to their Paridise in Florida. This time was not good.They arrived in N.C.on Friday.Well,Saturday,I got a call from Lenora,my brothers wife.She informed me my Mom wasn't well,and was rushed to the hospital.Not to worry. Sunday,she called,and let me know,things were worse,and i better come down.
I flew down Monday a.m.,My younger brother, Paul flew in that night.Man was our Dad,glad to see us.We were worried about both parents of course,but Dad was 82,20 years older than Mom.We needed to keep him relaxed.
Well Tuesday,was "DDAY".Mom didn't make it.No easy way of sayin it. We made the nesc arrangements,and drove Mom's Chrysler Convertible home,with Dad.LONG, ROUGH TRIP i might ad! Getting sidetracked... Dad lived with me,in Massachusetts till his death in 1997.
Dad had one hellova life! Over 25 years in the Coast Guard.Two marriages,3 sons,1 daughter,from the first,and 2 sons from the second.Collected from Uncle Sam from 1950!He had earned it! Biggest things in his life: Coast Guard,My Mother,Family,and the Ocean.He loved the ocean.Come to think of it,so do i,and my two surviving brothers,Paul,and Allen,(alsway).
When i was making arrangements for Dads funeral,a Master Nissan tech,Bob Breaker,who was working for me at the time,asked if i would like a presentation from the Coast Guard? Bob was also a Coastie,and still is,in Gloucester,Mass. Of course i would!
Bob called his Commander,and set up a presentation at the funeral.I'll never forget it. Three Coasties,(two men,and a women) were already at the cemetary,when the funeral proccession arrived.The usual words were said,and the Coast Guard folded the American Flag in the correct manner.The Woman Coastie,then walked to me,and presented The U.S.flag,to ME! She then saluted!
I, of course,saluted in return! I guess it was a private feeling inside,that i was not only saluting to the U.S COAST GUARD,but to my DAD at the same time! Almost like saying the final "Goodbye."
Later,as the procession was breaking up,Allen approached me,and said "I'll bet that was the first time you ever saluted anyone?" You know what? It was...and Damn proud of it!! I know i'll never forget it,and niether will Al!....
My Parents were fortunate enough to retire to Florida for 20 years or so.They owned a trailer in Fort Lauderdale/Dania area.That trailer was PARIDISE to my Mother.Dad enjoyed it,but i don't think as much as Mom did.
Their first trailer was across from Ft.Lauderdale Airport.I MEAN across the street!The park was mostly Canadian,and most could only speak French.My Mom was a "frenchfry" so she was right at home! Dad was Portuegese,so no comprende French!He managed though.
When the Airport expanded in the late 70's?,they bought a double,a few miles up at the second park. They would visit most summers with me,in Massachusetts,and leave in the fall.
In the summer of 1989,they left,and as usual,would stop in North Carolina,for a few days,to visit my older brothers family,then to their Paridise in Florida. This time was not good.They arrived in N.C.on Friday.Well,Saturday,I got a call from Lenora,my brothers wife.She informed me my Mom wasn't well,and was rushed to the hospital.Not to worry. Sunday,she called,and let me know,things were worse,and i better come down.
I flew down Monday a.m.,My younger brother, Paul flew in that night.Man was our Dad,glad to see us.We were worried about both parents of course,but Dad was 82,20 years older than Mom.We needed to keep him relaxed.
Well Tuesday,was "DDAY".Mom didn't make it.No easy way of sayin it. We made the nesc arrangements,and drove Mom's Chrysler Convertible home,with Dad.LONG, ROUGH TRIP i might ad! Getting sidetracked... Dad lived with me,in Massachusetts till his death in 1997.
Dad had one hellova life! Over 25 years in the Coast Guard.Two marriages,3 sons,1 daughter,from the first,and 2 sons from the second.Collected from Uncle Sam from 1950!He had earned it! Biggest things in his life: Coast Guard,My Mother,Family,and the Ocean.He loved the ocean.Come to think of it,so do i,and my two surviving brothers,Paul,and Allen,(alsway).
When i was making arrangements for Dads funeral,a Master Nissan tech,Bob Breaker,who was working for me at the time,asked if i would like a presentation from the Coast Guard? Bob was also a Coastie,and still is,in Gloucester,Mass. Of course i would!
Bob called his Commander,and set up a presentation at the funeral.I'll never forget it. Three Coasties,(two men,and a women) were already at the cemetary,when the funeral proccession arrived.The usual words were said,and the Coast Guard folded the American Flag in the correct manner.The Woman Coastie,then walked to me,and presented The U.S.flag,to ME! She then saluted!
I, of course,saluted in return! I guess it was a private feeling inside,that i was not only saluting to the U.S COAST GUARD,but to my DAD at the same time! Almost like saying the final "Goodbye."
Later,as the procession was breaking up,Allen approached me,and said "I'll bet that was the first time you ever saluted anyone?" You know what? It was...and Damn proud of it!! I know i'll never forget it,and niether will Al!....
