Yet, it is funny how the universe works. This past summer, I moved to Arkansas with my wife and son. Since my organization, Operation Renewal, is working to help military families I began making contact with local military people. I was introduced to Steve Gray, Rep. John Boozman’s military adviser, here in Arkansas. We hit it off and Steve began helping me with guidance, ideas and contacts to help our military families. At one of our meetings at his office I noticed a couple of Purple Hearts that Steve had on his desk that he had procured for two local vets. In passing I mentioned that I tried to do that for my dad. Without skipping a beat Steve said, “Let me give it a try.”

My focus was on acquiring the Purple Heart for my dad and what it would mean to him and to us, the family, to have it awarded it to him. Steve worked very hard at getting approval from the military but ran into the same challenge – no records because of the fire! Here we go again!

However, Steve did not give up and continued researching down different avenues to get the elusive Purple Heart for my dad. He did not let the fact that the records burnt in a fire discourage him, but continued to push forward! Have you ever come up against a wall and shortly after gave up on something that was important to you? What would have happened if you kept going and did not quit? A Purple Heart maybe? Or maybe something else not expected but just as or even more worthwhile – if you re open to it!

After everything was said and done, Steve was unable to get the Purple Heart for my dad. As a consolation, Steve was able to get my dad all the medals, pins and awards he received when he was discharged. The originals had burnt in a fire at my dad’s parents’ place. My dad was very grateful to have these medals again.

If this was the end it wouldn’t be too bad a story now, would it? Yet this adventure does continue. In not giving up and continuing to research for proof of my dad’s injuries, Steve was able to get information on the battles and places Dad fought. As a result of his persistence, he found that my dad was involved in some pretty intense combat, as well as some very challenging missions. Consequently, Steve found that Dad was entitled to be recognized with a Bronze Star, which is a higher medal than the Purple Heart, along with the Combat Infantry Medal!

I made arrangements for my son and I to bring the medals to Dad in Florida. The Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Badge where ordered and then minted in Philadelphia. The Bronze Star arrived with my dad’s name engraved on the back!

Before we left for Florida, I contacted the 841st Engineering Battalion in Miami, Florida to see if they would be willing to host an awards ceremony for Dad. Captain Rubio took care of everything. It was on Saturday, January 9, 2010 when we arrived at the base for the ceremony. We arrived in the pouring, cold rain and there they where – three soldiers waiting to help. One had an umbrella and the others helped my dad into the building.

They treated us like royalty. We were escorted to the main room where 200 soldiers were standing at attention. Captain Rubio introduced Commander Hernandez who gave a very moving talk about my dad and then tied “the heroes from World War II to the heroes of today.” They displayed all my dad’s medals on a board wrapped in fatigues and the commander pinned the Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Medal on my dad’s chest to a standing ovation from everyone present.

The ceremony did not end here. Each of the two hundred soldiers took a turn shaking my dad’s hand. Some of the members shared emotional stories about their grandparents that fought during WW II. One soldier shared that his grandfather was shot down over Europe. Another soldier shared that his grandfather, like my dad, was a paratrooper in the Pacific and as he shared with my dad he got emotional.

The soldier shared that his grandfather did not speak about the war until he himself joined the army, shortly before his grandfather passed away. This created a bond between them that only soldiers have – an understanding and a mutual respect for each other. As a result his grandfather began sharing with him his stories and the two became closer and, in doing so, the grandfather also was able to make a difference for his grandson!

For us, we were able to share this event with three generations of Dilberts! My mom was there with my dad, my father’s sister, myself and my son. After all, isn’t that what life is about – sharing your wins with family and friends?

As my dad got up to leave with us, the commander yelled “Attend Hut” and all the service members stood at attention until my dad had left. My dad was so touched and moved by this experience that I know this had made a permanent impression on him.

He did not know going in what to say or what possible difference he could make for the soldiers that attended the presentation. However, upon leaving Dad knew that he had moved every single person at the ceremony with what he had done and had touched their lives at a very deep level! There was not a dry eye in the room during the presentation. And my dad, who was worried about what he could do for the soldiers of today ended up making an impact on them that he could never have planned.

As for me, I learned so much more about my dad. When Steve Gray arrived with the medals, he spent over an hour explaining what my dad had done and what his troop movements were throughout the war.

I did not know that the 11th Airborne was an experiment and that the U.S. Government did not know if paratroopers would be plausible. I learned the type of treatment that Americans that had surrendered received from the Japanese – beheading. I learned that my dad was involved in rescue missions and that he has the gratitude of the Philippine government for having a direct role in their liberation from the Japanese, that his squad went out for a routine mission for the day and ended up being out three weeks with enough food to hold them for one day. He fought through the swamps and jungles of the Pacific islands where he was hospitalized with yellow jaundice. When told he could go home because of his illness he instead elected to go back to his unit and fight with them.

My dad is my hero and my inspiration. He volunteered to be a paratrooper when they did not even exist, fought in horrible conditions against a ruthless enemy, gave everything to fight for his country and our freedoms, never complaining about what he and his fellow soldiers had to go through.

Dad does not consider himself a hero, but just did what anyone would have done. And that is one of many reasons that I love him so much! I could not have asked for anything more in a father and in my mentor! He is always there for his family. He supports and loves us. Along with my mom, they make a remarkable couple who have had a huge impact on my own family and has made me one happy and very proud son! This is where I learned to be such a great parent and has given me the foundation to continue to build on.

Thanks dad for all your service, for being the amazing person you are and for marrying that special person who you have been married to for 60 years on February 11th! You are my hero, my role model and my best friend. I honor you today and every day for being you!

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This entry was posted on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 10:27 pm and is filed under Parenting. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.