A Man of His Word..

Today is Veterans Day. A day we publically recognize and honor those who have sacrificed much to protect the freedoms we enjoy. It's a day that always brings memories of my father.  To honor him and the life he lived  I offer this little essay on how he affected my life. 

He was born in 1923. To a family rich in history, tradition and honor but poorer than most. By the end of the roaring 20’s his life had become a struggle for survival.  He was extraordinarily bright but as the only son in a family of 7 he left school at 14 in 1937 and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. He was sent to the lumber camps in Washington state and his income supported his family back in South Carolina.  He stayed there for 3 years working 6 days per week.

 At 17 he joined the Army and was sent back to South Carolina for basic training; seeing his mother, father and sisters for the first time in 3 years.  It was 1940.  After basic training he was sent to Europe and then in 1944 to the Philippines.  he was almost 23 before he saw home again.  He returned a highly decorated war hero.  He married his beautiful red haired green eyed angel in 1951 and  7 years later they adopted me. Three years after that my sister.  He was a man of extraordinary strength, honor and intelligence..  

He spent 28 dedicated years serving his country in the U.S. Army. His world was black and white.  Right and wrong. Day and night. His internal moral compass and life experience determined his life course.  He worked hard and long to make sure his family would never experience the difficulties he had faced. He instilled that sense of responsibility in me. His blunt and sometimes painfully honest manner has become mine.  He NEVER turned away anyone he thought might be hungry, whether that hunger was for food or an encouraging word. He faithfully helped all who came his way.  He was a product of his generation.  The GREATEST generation.  

He loved his God, wife, family and country in that order.  He didn’t tell me what to do so much as LIVE his life for me to view.   

My life with him was never easy,  we often butted heads and then reached an uneasy truce.  I was never sure of his approval but he cared for me.  And I know my sense of duty, honor and responsibility are because he lived them before me all of his life.

He was my father and I loved him.

Master Sergeant Clifton Capers Bull

1923-1996