Remembrance Day - Personal Journal 2

My father started off as a commissioned officer, by the time I came into this world we were living in the United States. He retired back into Canada. I never really took that much to all that he had done till he had his fist cancer that literally was the hardest one he had to battle.

This was nine years ago and the stories that he told me while I sat at his bedside - you know I don't buy some of these stories when they are told by an officer or any rank above that as there is an oath that is taken to not breach what you know and fortunate for me, I was told. There is nothing like sitting and watching a few Generals from Ottawa and Washington. The stories that they shared during this time were one that I never have forgotten. As well, during this time it was really the beginning of computers. Not anything like we know it today. One could freely find out where people are and making a long story short - I never thought my father had such an impact with so many others. As there was a website that I had sent his situation too and here after - he received more than 100 letters.

His best friends had been within both countries. What I found to be the most interesting story was that of the Cuban Missile Crisis and as well the first Gulf War. As during the Gulf War he was already retired. Reagan had called him to come back to the US, but at a certain time my father retired and opened up a chain of Donut Shops. As well, he thought it was time to bring the family back home to the roots of were he and my mother were from.

I never knew how much influence he had till he I came back from NYC and for six months he was battling Cancer. It's probably the time that will never happen again, but I have never forgotten the stories that he shared with me. Then I realized that he certainly did something in which he was very humble in never telling anyone within the family.

He had never fought within the war but he directed several things within what we know as NORAD. I don't think a man that has been within any portion of the military will ever go back completely to being civilian. And although we have our differences and there has been much to handle with him I will never forget so many of the things that he has done.

We were closer than most think to having a 3rd War during the times of the Cuban Missile Crises....yet it's one of many stories and he is an admiral man. We never lived on a base, my father was on what is called Diplomatic Status - and everything is pretty much paid for while you are representing your country and working along with another as he did within United States. Six years in a row he was flown into Boulder Colorado as each time he was awarded the best in Achievements for six consecutive years.