Father's Day

Today, being father's day, brings me close to tears as I recall all that my dad was and is to the Gregory family. How he always was there for any of us, never thinking twice about interrupting whatever he was engaged in, to give his full attention to us, his children. Actually, that's the way he was with anyone who wanted his attention for any reason. My dad was a hero to me, and I know he was to the rest of his family as well, all the way down to his last great, great grandchild, between his 6 children he had a bunch! To say he was my hero just is not enough. He was my role model, mentor, and teacher, always ready to give me whatever time I needed. I had the honor to take my dad's remains from Fremont California, to Arlington, where he received the burial that he wanted so much, with full honors. My dad served his country for over 33 years before his wife, my mom, gave him an ultimatum to which he scummed to her wishes and with tears in his eyes stood tall for his retirement ceremony. Standing tall for my dad was tough, as he was only 5'5" tall, made up by his huge makings of the man he was. Mom passed away years before dad, and she lay waiting for him to join her at Arlington. Both my dad and my brother Michael J. Gregory, are spending their final resting days on earth, with mom, at Arlington Cemetery. I am torn between being laid to rest there with them, or here in Fairburn, near my son, Wayne M Gregory, who passed away at 36. Now, back to my dad, as it is Father's day after all, his time on earth was very special, special not only to his family, but his country. After serving 33 years in the military, a number of years in the army, when they still had horses, and the rest in the Air Force, serving in combat in WW II, and participated in the Viet Nam conflict as a logistic officer. We used to banter back and forth about who was the most decorated in the family. I would claim he was, and he would claim that I was. My brothers and son I am afraid just could not compete, although they were very decorated. Ultimately it was I, with a couple of Bronze Stars with V devices, decorated by the Viet Nam government for heroism, with a number of Air Medals, three Meritorious Service medals, and a number of Army commendation medals, along with the Purple Heart, put me to the front of the line. But, the medals were/are just medals, my dad was the hero, the real hero, and I cant count the decorations, which included the Legion of Merit, that he was awarded for his service. Encouraging his sons and grandsons to enter into the military was more than something he thought they should do, but must do, it was a passion for him. He could never understand why anyone born in this great country would not want to give at least two or three years of their lives to the military. The funny thing is, all four of his sons, and my son, followed his example and did enter the service of their choice, one in the Navy, three sons in the Army Intelligence community, along with my son, following my footsteps and his grandfather's, by enlisting and serving in the Army Intelligence community. Milt III and his uncle Marshall, my brother, continued to serve, but as a civilian contractor in the intelligence field, just one we can't talk about at this time. So, you see, my dad had a huge influence in all of our lives, reflected in the service each of us volunteered for, to follow the example of dad, who was our hero. This is a special day, and I miss our daily talks on the phone, discussing the politics of the day, and wondering what lay ahead for America. Thank God my dad will never witness these times, nor my brother Mike or Mom, not even my son Wayne. They will be spared the sight of our constitution being shredded by those who do not now, or ever will, understand the sacrifices made by my dad, and so many dads of a time gone by, forgotten by so many, and only really remembered by only those who were privileged enough to have a member of their family serve in the military, preserving America, her peace, and grace God blessed her with. So, dad, Happy Father's day, and thanks for your service, and thanks for encouraging me to fulfill my obligation (an honor) to serve as well. We truly have a military family and I will never forget that it was you, our father, that led the way, guided us, followed our careers, and encouraging us to give our best to keep our country free, and the constitution in tact. If only those in power were half the man my dad was (and I know there are some, like Senator McCain) could just think before they drag the flag though the mud, debase the constitution and destroy the Republic as we drift into socialism under a power hungry young man, supported by a bunch of power and money hungry old men and women. I pray to God it is not too late and in 2010 and 2012 America will restore congress and the White House, with leadership that has not forgotten what America stands for and what she is and has been to the rest of the world. I promise dad, as you look down from heaven, I will do what I can, along with my brothers and son, to return America to her rightful place as the leader in providing the rest of the world with an example of what it means to be free, democratic, and American. Happy Fathers Day!