User Panel
Posted: 11/29/2001 5:28:28 PM EDT
I will be out of commission for a week or so. My dad, who is the world's most zealous rock fisherman, died yesterday morning in a boating accident. He gets up at 4:30 almost every morning (old fighter pilot habit) and launches at Oregon Inlet, Nags Head, NC every morning. We have a hurricane offshore and rough seas and, evidently, he was hit by a rogue wave in the inlet and hit his head on the boat. I got a call yesterday from mom that he was missing. The Coast Guard (great group of SAR guys down here BTW) found him around 6pm last night (no sign of his boat) and helo-transported him to a hospital. I was the first to get there and was told that he was basically gone. There was nothing anyone could do and, evidently, he died that morning hours before they actually found him. Dad was my hero. He was THE most decorated fixed wing Marine aviator to come out of Viet Nam (flew 320 combat missions; was in country from Feb. 67 to March 68 and recieved everything from the Dist. Flying Cross to the Veitnam Service Medal and many others). He drove an F-8 Crusader and was loved by the grunts on the ground that he protected. He was there during Tet and did an awful lot of good. In retirement, he enjoyed fishing for rock, EVERY DAY, and leaves behind his wife and three children, including me. He loved the site and often logged on to view various diatribes launched by yours truly. He owned an AR and was an avid supporter of the RKBA. I loved him very much and he will be missed by so many, including my sister's 2 year old daughter whom he chronically spoiled [:)]. I just wanted to share this with you and the other guys as well as the ar15.com members. I'll be back soon. Take care. Steve |
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Steve, I am so sorry to hear you lost your father. You and your family will be remembered in our prayers.
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My most heart felt sympathy to your Family.
Semper Fi Steven G. Bass |
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Quoted: Steve, I am so sorry to hear you lost your father. You and your family will be remembered in our prayers. View Quote ditto. |
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My God, I have no idea what to say. I am so sorry. Your father was obviously the kind of man we can ill afford to lose. He died doing what he loved, and will certainly be missed by more than just his family. He was a great American and a war hero. May he rest in peace. Bless you and the rest of your family. Again, I am so sorry for your loss. God bless.
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My condolences and prayers to you and your family Steve. I hope you don't mind me posting this. I think it says it all about when a country loses a soldier like your father.
[center]JUST A SIMPLE SOLDIER (By Anonymous) He was getting old and paunchy And his hair was falling fast, And he sat around the Legion, Telling stories of the past. Of a war that he had fought in And the deeds that he had done. In his exploits with his buddies; They were heroes, everyone. And 'tho sometimes, to his neighbors, His tales became a joke, All his buddies listened, For they knew of where he spoke. But we'll hear his tales no longer, For ol' Bob has passed away, And the world's a little poorer, For a soldier died today. He won't be mourned by many, Just his children and his wife. For he lived an ordinary, Very quiet sort of life. He held a job and raised a family, Quietly going on his way; And the world won't note his passing; 'tho a Soldier died today. When politicians leave this earth, Their bodies lie in state, While thousands note their passing, And proclaim that they were great. Papers tell of their life stories, From the time that they were young, But the passing of a soldier, Goes unnoticed, and unsung. Is the greatest contribution, To the welfare of our land, Some one who breaks his promise, And cons his fellow man? Or the ordinary fellow, Who in times of war and strife, Goes off to serve his Country And offers up his life? The politician's stipend And the style in which he lives, Are sometimes disproportionate, To the service he gives. While the ordinary soldier, Who offered up his all, Is paid off with a medal And perhaps a pension, small. It's so easy to forget them, For it is so long ago, That our Bob's and Jim's and Johnny's, Went to battle, but we know. It was not just the politicians, With their compromise and legislation, Who won for us the freedom, That our Country now enjoys. Should you find yourself in danger, With your enemies at hand, Would you really want some cop-out, With his ever waffling stand? Or would you want a Soldier, Who has sworn to defend, His home, his kin, and Country, And would fight until the end? He was just a common Soldier And his ranks are growing thin, But his presence should remind us, We may need his like again. For when countries are in conflict, Then we find the Soldier's part, Is to clean up all the troubles, That the politicians start. If we cannot do him honor, While he's here to hear the praise, Then at least let's give him homage, At the ending of his days. Perhaps just a simple headline, in the paper that might say: "OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, FOR A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."[/center] |
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The saddest day of all is when a father dies. Take care Steve. Our thoughts are with you.
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Steve, you know how close we've become over the last few years. I cannot begin to express the sadness I feel right now. You've got my number Bro. Call collect.
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My condolences man , I guess Striker said it best for all of us .
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He died doing what he loved, not all of us will be so lucky. Still, it is tragic and I'm very sorry to hear of your loss.
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My sorrows to you and the rst of your family. I look forward to meeting your father at Final Muster, when my own time comes...
FFZ |
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my deepest sympathy to you and your family my brother! and prayers in your behalf.
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Four weeks ago to the day, I was driving like a madman trying to see my father before he died.
I didn't make it. My condolences. SRM |
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Steve, I'm very sorry for your loss. Your dad sounds like a man I would really have liked to meet, have a drink with and listen to stories from for hours.
Take care of yourself and your family. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. "And when I get to Heaven, To Saint Peter I will tell: Another Marine reporting, Sir. I've done my time in Hell." Semper Fidelis |
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Very sorry to hear about your loss Steve. I know what you are going through and feeling as my dad passed away a few years ago. You have my sympathy and condolences.
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Steve,
What a shock. Having suddenly lost my own dad quite a while back, I have some idea, and my thoughts & prayers are with you and your family. Thank you for letting us all know. Sometimes we have to just keep putting one foot in front of another, sometimes we have to just stop and let it go. |
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Steve, I'm sorry for your loss. I have a favorite quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson...
[center]How do you measure success? To laugh often, and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a redeemed social condition, or a job well done; to know even one other life has breathed because you lived this is to have succeeded.[/center] Sounds like you father was one hell of a successful guy. |
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I am deeply sorry for your loss.
My father fought in the "Forgotten War" and he is getting on. I fear the day you are living today. Billy Porter |
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Steve ,God bless you and yours.You will be in our prayers.
echo6 |
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... Wow, God bless you. Any champion supporter of the RKBA is a friend of mine.
.. Take care buddy, we wanna hear some of his courageous battle stories! |
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My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, I know it is a very sad time having lost my father/gunsmith in 96.
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Steve,
I am very sorry for your loss, I know it must be a very difficult time for you & your family. GOD be with you. There are some things in life that you can never get over, you just have to learn how to live with or without them. ColtShorty GOA KABA COA JPFO SAF NRA "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I require the same from them." |
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Heartfelt Condolences from Alabama. I am grateful for the service your Dad gave in defense of my freedoms. God Bless you and yours.
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I'm very sorry for your loss, and you, your family, and your friends have my deepest sympathies. Hang in there, and take care.
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My sympathies. I used to fish the outer banks myself. There is nothing like a big rock bending your rod. This is of little solace, but your died died doing something he loved. God bless you and keep you.
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Steve it's terrible to lose a father, I lost mine this past May. You and your family have my condolences and may God bless his soul.
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Steve:
My condolences to you and your family. Sounds like your father was a great guy! I've been struggling with a similar situation (my father has a terminal disease and won't be with us for too much longer, we're afraid), so I can imagine how devastated you must feel. No matter what your religious beliefs are, you can rest assured that he's in a better place now... SAB |
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I'm sorry Steve.
[img]http://www.af.mil/photos/Jun2000/000624-f-9032t-006.jpg[/img] |
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Steve, I want to offer my condolences as well. Its clear that he really was a(your) hero. Im very sorry for your loss. He will be in all of our prayers tonight.
Steven |
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My condolences to you and your family Steve. God Bless. We will include you in our prayers!
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My deepest sympathies..
This country and you just lost a great man. |
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Losing your father sometimes seems like losing your wisdom and strength. May our Heavenly Father comfort you & yours over this great loss. We will fire a salute for him here tomorrow. He lived to see his children succeed, and to spoil his grandchildren. May God be with you in the days ahead. EW
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Steve, sorry to hear of your loss, but I'm glad that you gave us a small peak at what your father did with his life for himself, his family and his country.
You should be proud of him as I know you are, and be thankful that you are here because of him. Not all vets from foreign wars were lucky enough to come home to their family and start life all over again and enjoy the fruits of their hard labor. God Bless, Doug |
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Steve, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Your father will smile down on you from Heaven, and although you will surely miss him, he will be watching over you in ways that were not possible before. GOD bless you Steve, in your time of sorrow. Please accept our condolences.
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It's sad to lose another hero to the American people. My condolences to you and your family. At least he died while enjoying something he loved.
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Sorry Steve, nothing I say can help you and your family, but I will light a candle Sunday for your dad and your family. Sounds like the world and country lost another great man.
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You know I hear there is one swingin FIGHTER BAR down on the other side of where they keep the Marines . Its right after you enter the front gates and turn RIGHT down by where you see the Marine Aviators fighting the Airforce Pilots. Just follow the Arcangel he will take him there.... I am sure that he will be in the Best of Company. And Tell him to say hello to My GrandFathers'; they will be somewhere in that Crowd.
Ahmen.. Benjamin |
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God be with us ALL.
For we lost a Great man who selflessly defended us when it was asked of him. [USA] |
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He sounds like a great man who was loved and will truely be missed.
God bless you and yours, Steve. |
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The Living Years
by Mike + The Mechanics Every generation Blames the one before And all of their frustrations Come beating on your door I know that I'm a prisoner To all my Father held so dear I know that I'm a hostage To all his hopes and fears I just wish I could have told him In the living years... Crumpled bits of paper Filled with imperfect thought Stilted conversations I'm afraid that's all we've got. You say you just don't see it He says it's perfect sense You just can't get agreement In this present tense We all talk a different language Talking in defense. Say it loud, say it clear You can listen as well as you hear It's too late when we die To admit we don't see eye to eye So we open up a quarrel Between the present and the past We only sacrifice the future It's the bitterness that lasts So Don't yield to the fortunes You sometimes see as fate It may have a new perspective On a different day And if you don't give up, and don't give in You may just be O.K. Say it loud, say it clear You can listen as well as you hear It's too late when we die To admit we don't see eye to eye I wasn't there that morning When my Father passed away I didn't get to tell him All the things I had to say I think I caught his spirit Later that same year I'm sure I heard his echo In my baby's new born tears I just wish I could have told him In the living years... Say it loud, say it clear You can listen as well as you hear It's too late when we die To admit we don't see eye to eye [img]www.usflag.org/animate/flagwave1.gif[/img] -Troy |
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Very sorry to hear of your loss, Steve. Best wishes to you and your family.
Greg |
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my condolences, steve- hang in there- its only rough for a little while. just remember the good times.
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