The Road Home to Tennessee

Here is my son Ethan’s blog post ,a few pictures Heather took of the event and a short one minute video.

(I copied the following from my son’s myspace blog page)

Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I’ve cried, but I did today.

Today was my Father’s Retirement Ceremony. He retired after 25 years of serving the United States Airforce at the rank of Senior Master Sargeant. You know how in the video games, the witless soldiers are always looking to the ‘Sarge’ for guidance? Yeah, he was even higher up than that.

A lot of people at the place have a lot of respect for my father. It got really emotional for a few people. I almost cried once, but that went away in about 10 seconds but when my mother got called up to help give my father a reward you could just see her crying in pride over her husband, that is, my father and I lost it. I mean, I didn’t start bawling like a baby, but I did cry. I had 2 tears from my right eye and 1 from my left (I counted) and that was it. My mother delivered the reward and stayed for the clap and sat back down, red-faced and watery-eyed. But I was ok now, I expected to get a bit emotional (didn’t expect to cry, but what the hell) and now it was time for my father to give his speech.

…Ok, he didn’t prepare a speach but he did it anyway and no…! He wouldn’t! He couldn’t! *long pause* Is he…. about to cry? My father, that big, strong, manly man is gonna cry?

Well…. no. He didn’t. He paused about 3 times in this speach that he made up on the spot and got damn close to crying, but he maintained his composure and spoke very well. I on the otherhand, don’t have that kind of strength. I cried when he was about too. All 3 times.

I love my father and am proud beyond proud of him for what he has accomplished. He didn’t grow up with a father, and he’s doing a better job than MOST other fathers out there who did. I’ll proudly cry for my father because he deserves it. (I just wish I could tell him that to his face)

Shane Ethan