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Post by herron on Feb 4, 2007 23:11:54 GMT -5
Well, not too recent. Shot this in 2004. Dad was 82 and had been on dialysis for over three years. Several months after this was shot, he fell while going to a restaurant with my mother and broke his hip. We thought we were going to lose him, but he recovered. He's still on dialysis (over six years now), his eyes are failing, and his heart needs a pacemaker to keep working properly...and he needs a walker or wheelchair to get around outside the house, but he never complains. Ask him how he feels and he says "just fine....my legs just don't work as well as I want 'em to." 2004 was also the year the Army got around to sending him the Bronze Star he earned in WWII. Better 60 years late, than never!   In a way it was nice...I got a chance to tell him how proud I was of him! If he had received it "way back when" I never would have seen it until going through things afterwards, if you know what I mean. He never talks about that time in his life. I don't recall what film I had in the camera, but I'm fairly certain it was one of my Mamiya NC1000's. I was shooting a lot with them a few years ago. Come to think of it, I still do.  |
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Post by doubs43 on Feb 5, 2007 2:42:37 GMT -5
Ron, that's a picture you and your family will treasure. Of all the things in this world, family is the most precious. You can never take too many pictures of family. That's an excellent portrait without regard for who the man is but it becomes special because it's "Dad".
I would like to urge you to get your father to tell you about his service and experiences, even if he's reluctant to speak of them. They're unique to him and only he can relate them. Believe me, you'll regret it if you don't at least try.
Walker
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Post by herron on Feb 5, 2007 13:02:21 GMT -5
I know. We've managed to get a little out of him the past few years. He still won't talk about the "war" stuff. Did say he got the Nazi armband he keeps in a cigar box off a recently deceased German soldier. He stops short of saying he had anything to do with his departure. He also told of a pre-war Zeiss Ikonta he had picked up. It was stolen in a bar by one of his "buddies" while he went to the bathroom. They left an old box camera in its place! He also mentioned an old German woman who did his laundry for him, right after the war. A couple of times each week, he would take coffee and chocolate and cigarettes for her husband, and she would clean and press his uniform (he was a Master First Sargeant). He'd bring the next batch of laundry when he came to pick it up. One week he did not go...sore throat or something...and she came looking for him! Except she was looking for "Herr On (Mister On)." It still gives him a chuckle. He changes the subject, though, when I ask what action he was in that earned him the Bronze Star "for conspicuous gallentry." Says war is Hell, and he's glad "the boys" (my sons) don't have to deal with it. Then he talks about something else.  |
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Post by herron on Feb 6, 2007 0:00:23 GMT -5
A shot of my mother, same day, same camera. My focusing was a little off. I took the shot quickly, because she hates to have her picture taken any more, and would have (and did) put her hand up over her face as soon as she saw me!   |
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Post by Microdad on Feb 24, 2007 0:38:12 GMT -5
Ron, these are fantastic photographs. I'm not skilled with words and I'm not sure how to explain but when looking at these photos, I get the feeling that your parents are very warm people. A certain warmth about them that is captured by your use of B&W. Thank you for sharing these.
Steve
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Post by byuphoto on Feb 24, 2007 11:22:50 GMT -5
A hardy salute and a well done to you and your Dad. I know all about the military and medals. Took me 20 years to get my purple heart
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Post by herron on Feb 24, 2007 22:56:51 GMT -5
Steve: Thanks. My folks are fantastic people...would literally give you the shirt off their back...and people seem to treat them the same way. Quiet and reserved, and content with their lives. I know from some of my aunts that my Dad was a "bit of a hellion" in his youth...but the Army (and WWII) changed that. He worked full time until he was 75, and only quit then because the company he was working for still wanted him 5 days a week, and he didn't want to work more than three any more! He played golf ( loves that game), even after his kidneys started to fail and he went on dialysis. Even re-arranged his dialysis days so they didn't interfere with his league!  He can't get around without a walker any more...but still talks about getting his strength back so he can play another 18! ---------- Rick: Thank you...I know Dad would appreciate the sentiment. He's shown me the scars on his legs and back from schrapnel and bullet wounds. He got two Purple Hearts during his WWII service. But, even though his eyes get misty when I bring up that Bronze Star, he won't talk about what it entailed. Lost too many buddies, and saw too much, I imagine. I'm proud of him...for that and a lot of other things...and I try to let him know. |
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Post by kiev4a on Feb 24, 2007 23:20:24 GMT -5
Ron:
Treasure you parents. I was an "afterthought" born when my dad was 43. He died at age 76 when I was only 33. Mom died when I was 41. There is so much information I wish I had got from them while they were still here. Even thirty years later, I run into situations where I wish dad were here to give me advice.
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He can't get around without a walker any more...but still talks about getting his strength back so he can play another 18!