• Got the Contributing Memberships stuff finally worked out and made up a thread as a sort of "How-To" to help people figure out how to participate. So if you need help figuring it out, here's the thread you need to take a look at -> http://www.corvetteflorida.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3581 Thank you, everyone! Rich Z.

Another one of "The Greatest Generation" members is gone

navy2kcoupe

navy2kcoupe

!ereH nI depparT m'I pleH
Guys, I lost my Father on Sunday March 15, 2009.
Dad was 92 years and 7 months old, and had been in an Alzheimer's lock
down unit for about 5 years. My Mom died in 2002, and my 2 brothers and
I figured that Dad would go within about 6 months. Having to put him in the
Alzheimer's unit definitely added years to his life, but it wasn't much of a life.
The last time I went to see him, he was sure that he was on summer break
from school, was sure that he was still living at home with his mother, was
sure that his father was still working for the city, and was sure that his brother
John was still around. I'm gonna be 63 in May, and his Father as well as his
brother John were both dead BEFORE I was born.I'm pretty sure that he saw
me as one of his brothers, not his son. Anyway, he's the last one on both
my parent's side to pass away, and now he can visit with those family
members that he hasn't seen in a LONG time. I'm sure gonna miss him,
but I know that he's in a better place and that I'll get to see him again
sometime in the (distant I hope!) future. He was a veteran of WW2, and
served in (got drafted into) the Marine Corps in the South Pacific. He was
in the Solomon Islands, Iwo Jima, and Guadalcanal and was wounded
3 times, the last time seriously enough for him to be medically discharged.
Most American Doctors wanted to amputate his right leg, but one Australian
doctor convinced them to let him work on Dad's leg and wound up saving
it. To say that Dad had a soft spot in his heart for anything and everything
Australian would be putting it VERY mildly. Anyway........viewing on Thursday
March 19, 2009, with funeral services and burial (right next to Mom where
he always wanted to be when alive) on Friday March 20, 2009
All things considered, I'm OK with this and am smiling inside! [:-)........
"Semper Fi" Dad, enjoy your final PCS!
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/obituaries/?mode=view&obit_id=169120 if you want to view the obituary
Andy Anderson
 
Sounds like a real neat guy and a real American ,Lost my Father to the same dreaded disease.

May he rest in peace forever .
 
vett boy said:
Sounds like a real neat guy and a real American ,Lost my Father to the same dreaded disease.

May he rest in peace forever .
Click to expand...

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

I am posting The Train Ride ~ for you and your family~ as well as for anyone else who has or may be caring for a loved one who dealing with this horrible disease.
(I know ("MMC5")Tom is out of town!)


THE TRAIN RIDE


Imagine that the experience of having Alzheimer's disease might be similar to a journey by train with an unknown destination:
I am going on a long journey by train. As I begin, the city skyscrapers and country landscape look familiar. As I continue my journey, the view reminds me of times gone by and I feel relaxed and comfortable. The other passengers on the train appear to be feeling the same way and I engage in pleasant conversation with them.

As the journey progresses, things begin to look different. The buildings have odd shapes and the trees don’t look quite the way I remember them. I know they are buildings and trees, but something about them is not quite right. Maybe I’m in a different country with different architecture and plant life. It feels a bit strange, even unnerving.

I decide to ask the other passengers about the strangeness. I feel, but more importantly, I notice they seem unperturbed. They are barely taking notice of the passing scenery. Maybe they have been here before. I ask some questions but nothing seems different to them. I wonder if my mind is playing tricks with me. I decide to act as if everything looks alright, but because it does not, I have to be on my guard. This places some tension on me, but I believe I can tolerate it for the remainder of the trip. I do, however find myself becoming so preoccupied with appearing all right, that my attention is diverted from the passing scenery.

After some time, I look out the window again and this time, I know that something is wrong! Everything looks strange and unfamiliar! There is no similarity to anything I can recall from the past. I must do something!

I talk to the other passengers about the strangeness I feel. They look dumfounded and when they answer and they talk in a new language. Why won’t they speak English? They just look at me knowingly and with sympathy.

I’ve got to get to the bottom of this, so I keep after them to tell me where the train is, and where it is going. The only answers I get are in their strange language and when I talk, my words seem strange, even to me.

Now I am truly frightened!

I had not bargained for this when I started! At this point, I figure that I have to get off this train and find my way home. I get up to leave and bid a pleasant good-bye. I don’t get very far though, as the other passengers stop me and take me back to my seat. It seems they want me to stay on the train whether I want to or not. I try to explain but they just talk in that strange language.

Outside the window, the scenery is getting even more frightening. Strange, inhuman-looking beings peer into the window at me. I decide to run for it!

The other passengers are not paying much attention to me, so I slip out of my seat and quietly walk toward the back of the car. There’s a door. It is difficult to push, but I must! It begins to open and I push harder. Maybe now I will get away!

Even though it looks pretty strange out there, I know I will never find my way home if I do not get off this train.

I am ready to jump, when hands suddenly appear from nowhere and grab me from behind. I try to get away. I try to fight them off, but I can feel them pulling me back... back onto the train. I hear the door shut! They take me back to my seat and I realize now that I will never get off this train... I will never get home!

How sad I feel. I did not say good-bye to my children, wife, or friends. As far as I know, they do not know where I am.

The passengers look worried. They force me to eat. It is difficult because I am too sad to be hungry.

I fervently wish that I had never started out on this journey, but I know I cannot go back.

I have no choice now.

I have to go along with the passengers because they seem to know where the journey will end.

Maybe they will get me there safely.

Rest in Peace..........Elmer E. Anderson

:usa_flag: :usa_flag::usa_flag:
 
Man its true when they say the "good die young" !!!

We are so very sorry for your loss !!! I hope you find peace in him being in a better place !!!


I cant imagine the pain !!
 
Andy,

Sorry to hear about your loss. Even though his last few years were not great and probably very difficult on the family, you had your Dad for a very long time, which is something I wish I had.

Rich
 
Andy my friend, I know the pain of losing someone so special:(

God bless you and the family and to your father...R.I.P.....well done and well deserved:usa_flag::usa_flag:
 
I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. My mother had alzheimers prior to her passing but fortunately, or unfortunately(I never quite know how to think of it), lung cancer took her life first. I'm saddened by her loss and miss her very much, but I'm grateful she died still knowing who I was. I hope the pain passes quickly for you and your family. God bless. Mark
 
R.I.P.

Any veteran of WWII are true heros...not sport stars or Hollywood types. To you father in spirit :thankyou2:, I know he hears me.

Your dad gets one of my prayers and a salute in private.

Regards...from a fellow 22 year veteran.....

John E. Legere, USAF, Retired
 
To All Of You......

that posted your sympathies,........... all I can say is "Thank You"!
One of the very nice things about friends is that when they tell you something, you KNOW 100%
that they mean it! :yesnod: The viewing was last Thursday, and the funeral/burial was last Friday,
and on both days it was more a celebration of his life than a sad/somber affair. Good memories
and funny stories were passed around, and I'm sure that Dad would have liked it! Talking with
the relatives that I haven't seen in years was an added treat and meeting some of Dad's friends
for the first time was very nice as well. Once again, thanks for your thoughts and prayers .....
.... the way I felt was a direct result of them, and they were able to get me through a tough time.
Dad's back together with Mom, and THAT'S the way it should be! :thumbsup:
Andy and Dotty Anderson :wavey::wavey:
 
Hi Andy,
My thoughts and prayers are sent your way. I too lost my father to Alzheimers in 1989 and watched him go through the injustice of that disease for 11 years. Keep the faith my friend.
 
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