I’m so sorry Gerry; this is a beautiful piece written about your Dad. No doubt he would love it to pieces. What a courageous man; and great dad. Hugs to you and Virginia and Declan.
Thank you for letting us get to know your father with that, Gerry. I appreciate you opening up and letting us know who he was, when things must be so close to the surface. My own father is 81, and has grown increasingly focused on the approaching final curtain. I hope I deal with it as gracefully as you have here.
Hey, Clay - I hope you can enjoy these days as best as possible. It's been so short of a time, and it's true - there is very little I would not give for more time. Hope these holidays are great for you
Gerry, you’re a great guy and this is a great tribute. You’ve all gone through too fucking much this year. I will remember your dad and sister in my prayers tonight.
Beautiful writing of your remarkable father. I never met your family, honestly, I don’t recall seeing this Substack nor how it is in my feed but I read every word of your story. I read your father coming alive again through your words and descriptions of his life.
One way or another those of us with the experiences or time frame of ‘Nam know exactly what the times were like then when we were young and coming of age in some of the most tumultuous times in this country. The ‘60’s were a helluva time to be growing up and your Dad was among those heroes who really missed the heroes welcome home as is fitting today. If you had a friend, family member, classmate drafted off then, it was confusing and wretching at the same time. He came back an unrecognized hero on the streets and the Purple Hearts and other medals were important to him. Please keep remembering and writing about him. Visit the Vietnam Memorial if you haven’t and know these Vets still around need all our support. There are many Vet activities and programs that deserve our thank you and support. Your writing brought your Dad alive again and thank you for this remarkable tribute.
Your Dad lives on through your stories and even though you didn’t hear all his stories about his wartime, he gave you so much depth of himself in the father and grandfather you described. His love of sports and family and all you captured about him showed an amazing person and Vet. I can read that he came back from war with deep physical scars and the emotional memories he carried throughout, yet he had a determined appreciation of all the good things he was able to be a part of through most of his life. I admire all that you described. Yes, he was far too young to have passed. My deepest condolences for your families loss. 💝
Thank you, yes - the Wall was one of my favorite memorials, and my father took me the first time - he liked visiting at night. Thanks so much for your kind remarks - appreciate you and your remembrances. Hope your 25 is bright.
I’m so sorry Gerry, I know this is painful loss in an already hellish year. Thanks for sharing this moving tribute. He sounds like an extraordinary guy, and I’m sure was beyond proud of the man you’ve become.
I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad passing away. Thank you for sharing all of this. He was a great man and an awesome father! My heart goes out to you and the family during the Holidays!
Gerry - what a great tribute to a very special person- he made the most of life - in spite of the trauma that Vietnam bought to most that had to go there-(explains a lot) His love of family was 2nd to none and I (we) were the beneficiaries of he & Cass’s love while they often visited Terry - Ellen and their kids-and we were all family & extended family- I am very lucky to have known your dad- as said very special person- you have to be proud of how you captured and expressed your love for him - Best John McCarthy
I’m so sorry Gerry. Take care of yourself, if your experience is anything like mine, the next year will be an emotional rollercoaster. Don’t be too hard on yourself.
I'm sorry man. My old man died a little over 2 years ago, & I also know very little about parts of his life. We knew it was coming though, & I can't imagine how challenging it might be for a sudden change like this. Take whatever time you need, & I'm thankful that your dad supported comic, which has led to you working in comics, which brings me great joy every month, & I'm already getting my grandkids reading comics, & they will eventually inherit my ridiculous collection.
I’m so sorry Gerry; this is a beautiful piece written about your Dad. No doubt he would love it to pieces. What a courageous man; and great dad. Hugs to you and Virginia and Declan.
Thanks so much, Tricia. Appreciate you and miss you.
So sorry to hear about your dad. That was a beautiful story. Wishing you andy your family peace.
❤️
Thank you for letting us get to know your father with that, Gerry. I appreciate you opening up and letting us know who he was, when things must be so close to the surface. My own father is 81, and has grown increasingly focused on the approaching final curtain. I hope I deal with it as gracefully as you have here.
Hey, Clay - I hope you can enjoy these days as best as possible. It's been so short of a time, and it's true - there is very little I would not give for more time. Hope these holidays are great for you
Gerry, you’re a great guy and this is a great tribute. You’ve all gone through too fucking much this year. I will remember your dad and sister in my prayers tonight.
Thanks so much, Sara- very much appreciate you
Beautiful writing of your remarkable father. I never met your family, honestly, I don’t recall seeing this Substack nor how it is in my feed but I read every word of your story. I read your father coming alive again through your words and descriptions of his life.
One way or another those of us with the experiences or time frame of ‘Nam know exactly what the times were like then when we were young and coming of age in some of the most tumultuous times in this country. The ‘60’s were a helluva time to be growing up and your Dad was among those heroes who really missed the heroes welcome home as is fitting today. If you had a friend, family member, classmate drafted off then, it was confusing and wretching at the same time. He came back an unrecognized hero on the streets and the Purple Hearts and other medals were important to him. Please keep remembering and writing about him. Visit the Vietnam Memorial if you haven’t and know these Vets still around need all our support. There are many Vet activities and programs that deserve our thank you and support. Your writing brought your Dad alive again and thank you for this remarkable tribute.
Your Dad lives on through your stories and even though you didn’t hear all his stories about his wartime, he gave you so much depth of himself in the father and grandfather you described. His love of sports and family and all you captured about him showed an amazing person and Vet. I can read that he came back from war with deep physical scars and the emotional memories he carried throughout, yet he had a determined appreciation of all the good things he was able to be a part of through most of his life. I admire all that you described. Yes, he was far too young to have passed. My deepest condolences for your families loss. 💝
Thank you, yes - the Wall was one of my favorite memorials, and my father took me the first time - he liked visiting at night. Thanks so much for your kind remarks - appreciate you and your remembrances. Hope your 25 is bright.
That was thoroughly beautiful man very touching,.. and I'm so sad to hear that.. much love.
Cheers, Pati -- appreciate you.
I’m so sorry Gerry, I know this is painful loss in an already hellish year. Thanks for sharing this moving tribute. He sounds like an extraordinary guy, and I’m sure was beyond proud of the man you’ve become.
You'd have LOVED hanging out with him - sorry we never got that chance. Hope you're well, bud.
I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad passing away. Thank you for sharing all of this. He was a great man and an awesome father! My heart goes out to you and the family during the Holidays!
Always appreciate you, Steve, Thanks as always.
Great tribute to a great Dad!
Gerry - what a great tribute to a very special person- he made the most of life - in spite of the trauma that Vietnam bought to most that had to go there-(explains a lot) His love of family was 2nd to none and I (we) were the beneficiaries of he & Cass’s love while they often visited Terry - Ellen and their kids-and we were all family & extended family- I am very lucky to have known your dad- as said very special person- you have to be proud of how you captured and expressed your love for him - Best John McCarthy
Very grateful for your love & support, John - appreciate you and I hope 2025 is as kind as 2024 was not for us all.
Beautiful tribute. Sounds like he lived a very full and diverse life and lived a lot along the way. You were/are blessed.
As a Red Sox fan for over 61 years, seeing the ring on his finger made me smile so big it hurt. Then I thought about you feeling that way.
This world has lost a good man, but he raised you well, so he’s not really gone. He’s all around you and in you and the rest of those he loved. 💙🫂
RIP Gerry, and GO Sawx!
HA! Thank you
Gerry, this was a beautiful tribute. May you find comfort in your faith and all these wonderful memories.
Thank you very much, John.
I’m so sorry Gerry. Take care of yourself, if your experience is anything like mine, the next year will be an emotional rollercoaster. Don’t be too hard on yourself.
Luckily I'm still in triage mode - and next year is next year's problem, haha. I am sorry for your loss, too - thank you for reaching out.
I'm sorry man. My old man died a little over 2 years ago, & I also know very little about parts of his life. We knew it was coming though, & I can't imagine how challenging it might be for a sudden change like this. Take whatever time you need, & I'm thankful that your dad supported comic, which has led to you working in comics, which brings me great joy every month, & I'm already getting my grandkids reading comics, & they will eventually inherit my ridiculous collection.
thanks so much - and sorry for your loss
gerry this was beautiful and i’m so, so sorry for your loss
thank you, brother. appreciate you
Love to you. There's nothing one can say right now. It's just sad as it can be. You wrote a beautiful piece.
thank you, brother.