My father, a WWII and Korea veteran, passed away ten years ago this evening.

[A HERETIC I AM]

Sperry, like many young men in his era, enlisted in the Navy in 1942 at the age of 17. He was trained as a Corpsman, and was stationed on a Hospital ship that traveled all over the Pacific theater, including a stint in the Philippines. After the war he went to Australia, where he made his living as a truck driver. In early 1950, he returned to his native Connecticut where he met my mother. He worked various odd jobs, among them as a lobsterman in Long Island Sound. When Korea came around, he re-enlisted in the Navy again, but this time became attached to the Marine Corps and trained as a Field Medic. After Korea, his extensive military medical training caught the eye of recruiters at the Central Intelligence Agency and he went to work for "The Company" in 1956, where he spent 25 years serving our country as an administrator. Of those 25 years, 12 of them were spent in 5 overseas assignments, 3 of which I was present - Saipan, in the Mariana Islands, Athens, Greece and Alice Springs, Australia.

My dad was a good man. He died as a result of brain damage suffered from a stroke that occurred 9 years and 363 days ago.

A member of "The Greatest Generation" to be sure.

Here's to ya, Dad. I miss you.

[NC_Nurse]

1. A moving tribute. Thanks for sharing it.

[Booster]

2. Very nice. Your Dad sounds like someone we'd all like to know.

:patriot:

[A HERETIC I AM]

3. Thanks. n/t

[Uben]

4. That's one American I can salute!

What a man! I know you are so proud of him. You can be sure we all miss the likes of your dad. His kind made this country the greatest.

[A HERETIC I AM]

9. Thanks. You are very kind to say so. n/t

[Odin2005]

5. I'm sorry!

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. Safe passage to your dad!

And I wish I could have told him thank you for his service.

He definitely did great work for his country, and for all of us...

I hope he went easily.

My condolences to you on this terrible loss; I hope your good memories will sustain you.

:hug:

[A HERETIC I AM]

8. Aww, Peggy. Thanks. You're so sweet.

[MannyGoldstein]

7. A good American and a good dad.

My thoughts are with you.

[A HERETIC I AM]

10. Thank you, Manny,

[MannyGoldstein]

11. Peace.

[xchrom]

12. May Peace be with you and your family at this difficult time. Nt

[A HERETIC I AM]

14. Thanks very much. n/t

[safeinOhio]

13. Lost mine 6 years ago

at age 90. He was a Captain of a recon unit caught behind the lines in the Battle of the Bulge. He got all of his men out. Came home and join the National Guards and was sent to Korea not long after I was born.


Never thought that much about it until I drove him to a couple of reunions a few years before he passed. That's when I learned about the "Greatest Generation". They were all true heros.

He always said "I'm a Democrat. I either vote for em or against em.

Damn tear swelling up now.
:grouphug: