As you know, my Dad passed away in 2012 and I think of him daily. I am currently cleaning out my parents house preparing for an estate sale in July, and there are times when it is rather difficult. My Mom is still here so we have spent a few trips lately walking down memory lane as we go through everything.
Let me tell you a little bit about my Dad....He was born in North Carolina, the oldest of 10 children. Seven of those children lived to adulthood, and are still with us today. There is 20 years difference between him and his youngest sibling, a brother. My Dad joined the Air Force just before graduation from High School, so he didn't even get to know that brother until they were stationed at the same base together, many years later. My Dad knew at a very young age that he wanted to be a pilot. He and 3 other high school buddies got together and bought themselves a plane! When Daddy joined the Air Force in 1945, they closed pilot training because WWII was over. A few months later they reopened pilot school and Daddy re-joined, and loved every moment of his 30 year career in the Air Force, he flew F-80s in Korea, and F-105s in Vietnam, and many other planes. He had homemade and some professional models of all the planes he flew in a case that he made, in our house, as far back as I can remember. He talked about flying all the time, and about all of his experiences in and out of the Air Force.
Today, I took my Dad's most prized possessions out of the house, his plane collection....I forgot to take a picture of them in the case, but did take them individually....
This is an F-105 (called a "Thud")....look closely.....
For some reason, this one is especially special to me!! ;)
This is exactly how it looked on his plane in Vietnam!! Talk about feeling special!! :D
This was the last plane he flew....a Delta Dart (F-106)
With his planes, and case I took some other Very special things.....
A plaque I found in the attic, from Vietnam ....
Has a map of the entire area on it.....I don't remember ever seeing this.
And of course I got his medals....
...and his patches.
I also found his helmet bag in the attic!!!!!
....and added his helmet
...and his hat!
He marked his missions on the rim....I cannot remember for sure the difference between the red and black ones....
All these things will be cleaned up and placed in a place of honor at our home in Florida soon, I will eventually be passing them on to our daughter Jess, and her son Joseph. (Joseph's middle name "Harvey" is my Dad's middle name also) :)
Today was a pretty tough day, I am surprised how emotional I got, I have been at this for a long time, but somehow taking these things out today was very difficult. Maybe because Father's Day is coming up, who knows why emotions are easily triggered sometimes....It's kinda 'funny', but secretly in my heart I just kept saying..."Daddy has left the building".... Very Strange. <3
::Hugs::
