W2DR Posted May 27 Share Posted May 27 I never had a chance to know my father. He died a month before I was born. He's one the many Marines who never returned from the Pacific in WWII. I've often wondered how my life would have been different had he been here with me. I love you dad. And on this Memorial Day may God bless you and the thousands of others who have died in the defense of our country. 3 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Q Posted May 27 Share Posted May 27 20 minutes ago, W2DR said: I never had a chance to know my father. He died a month before I was born. He's one the many Marines who never returned from the Pacific in WWII. I've often wondered how my life would have been different had he been here with me. I love you dad. And on this Memorial Day may God bless you and the thousands of others who have died in the defense of our country. Me too. My father survived the war, but died suddenly a week after my second birthday. He had just turned 27. While I can't prove that it was War related, my mother said he frequently had nightmares. They just didn't know about PTSD back then. I had him for the first two years of my life, but I have no memories of him. My father served on board USS LST 207 (Coast Guard) in the Pacific, carrying Marines and their equipment to their Rendezvous with Destiny. I share your sentiments of love and gratitude for those we lost. Ken 3 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodger Pettichord Posted May 27 Share Posted May 27 My heart goes out to you, Ken. My Uncle Bill survived two ship sinkings in the Pacific war. Made it back but carried the war with him always. Bless 'em all. 3 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodger Pettichord Posted May 27 Share Posted May 27 2 hours ago, W2DR said: I never had a chance to know my father. He died a month before I was born. He's one the many Marines who never returned from the Pacific in WWII. I've often wondered how my life would have been different had he been here with me. I love you dad. And on this Memorial Day may God bless you and the thousands of others who have died in the defense of our country. Loss is a hole that love can fill. Looks like you have done a good job with it, Doug. Your father would be honored. 3 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Abernathy Posted May 28 Share Posted May 28 My Dad was a Marine in the S Pacific (Kiribati, Guadacanal, Gilberts) and I was lucky he made it back to start a family. Between being a Marine and a Deputy Sherriff I had a strong foundation and love him for that. Had him until I was 63 so am truly blessed. I served from '67-'71 and lost friends that can't be replaced. Still, I'm not bitter and look at each day as a gift. I feel for anyone losing a father at such a young age or not knowing them at all. That hurts, but yes, love fills the hole. 2 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodger Pettichord Posted May 28 Share Posted May 28 1 hour ago, Rob Abernathy said: My Dad was a Marine in the S Pacific (Kiribati, Guadacanal, Gilberts) and I was lucky he made it back to start a family. Between being a Marine and a Deputy Sherriff I had a strong foundation and love him for that. Had him until I was 63 so am truly blessed. I served from '67-'71 and lost friends that can't be replaced. Still, I'm not bitter and look at each day as a gift. I feel for anyone losing a father at such a young age or not knowing them at all. That hurts, but yes, love fills the hole. A Marine who was at Kiribati and Guadalcanal? Wow, Rob, your dad saw the elephant for sure. Glad you had him for so long and got that strong foundation from him. That's the best inheritance of all, isn't it? 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adambar Posted May 29 Share Posted May 29 Fortunately my father made it made it back from the Pacific during WW2 intact. 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W2DR Posted June 1 Author Share Posted June 1 On 5/27/2024 at 11:25 PM, Rob Abernathy said: My Dad was a Marine in the S Pacific (Kiribati, Guadacanal, Gilberts) and I was lucky he made it back to start a family. You are, indeed, a lucky man Rob. My dad died sometime between 9 November and 11 November 1942 on Guadalcanal. I was born on 23 December. I served in the Corps from 1960 to 1964. Both of my sons have served also. Semper Fi my friend.............Doug 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodger Pettichord Posted June 2 Share Posted June 2 4 hours ago, W2DR said: You are, indeed, a lucky man Rob. My dad died sometime between 9 November and 11 November 1942 on Guadalcanal. I was born on 23 December. I served in the Corps from 1960 to 1964. Both of my sons have served also. Semper Fi my friend.............Doug All honor to your family, Doug. The few, the proud, and lots to be proud of. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Abernathy Posted June 2 Share Posted June 2 6 hours ago, W2DR said: You are, indeed, a lucky man Rob. My dad died sometime between 9 November and 11 November 1942 on Guadalcanal. I was born on 23 December. I served in the Corps from 1960 to 1964. Both of my sons have served also. Semper Fi my friend.............Doug Thanks Doug, I served from '67-'71 but my Dad, like yours was the real hero. Hats off to your Dad, sorry you didn't get to know him. Thank you for your service. 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W2DR Posted June 3 Author Share Posted June 3 On 6/2/2024 at 12:14 AM, Rob Abernathy said: Thanks Doug, I served from '67-'71 but my Dad, like yours was the real hero. Hats off to your Dad, sorry you didn't get to know him. Thank you for your service. And thanks to you too Rob. And thanks to all the other guys and gals here who have served. It's a wonderful feeling to know that you're not alone. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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