So much to say, but I can't seem to find the words. I reckon I'll just settle for my memories.
I will say this, though: One of the greatest honors of my life was being at his deathbed, one hand holding his with my other on his chest as he drew his last breath on this earth. I know in my heart he would've appreciated me helping him leave this life. As hard as it was, it was the very least I could do considering all he'd done for me.
Raise a glass for him tonight, please.
This picture was from his first tour in Vietnam with the Cav, 1965-66.
He was every bit as hard as he looked, too.
A Man Among Men
God Bless all of our deceased fathers and mothers. They live on in our memories.
ReplyDeleteNemo
I shall. God bless you and your family.
ReplyDeleteFitty
Beautiful words. My glass was just raised...
ReplyDeleteIt never goes away completely, does it, Kenny?
DeleteLost my dad in '89.
[rocketride]
DeleteLost mine in '89, too.
My wife and I hoisted glasses in your dad's honor tonight.
He's one of my hero's too. God Bless your Dad and America.
ReplyDeleteTo your father.
ReplyDeleteAmen, brother.
ReplyDeleteDiffer
It will be my honor.
ReplyDeleteLeigh
Whitehall, NY
Done deal. Youre a great son and im sure he’s proud of you. Here’s to Mr Lane!
ReplyDeleteJohn H.
Acehigh2
Lo, There do I see my Father
ReplyDeleteLo, There do I see my Mother and
My Brothers and my Sisters
Lo, There do I see the line of my people back to the beginning
Lo, They do call to me
They bid me take my place among them in the halls of Valhalla
Where thine enemies have been vanquished
Where the brave shall live Forever
Nor shall we mourn but rejoice for those that have died the glorious death.
Great poem. Michael Alexander, Risen from Ashes
DeleteRaising one to your father.
ReplyDelete"Trust the science! This (insert chemical/vaccine) is safe!"
A man for all seasons.
ReplyDeleteSome of you will not understand this, but some of you will, so in his honor: "If you ain't Cav, you ain't shit."
11th Air Assault/Air Mobile 1st Cav turned the war plans of Gen Gap on it's head.....
DeleteTo your dad, Skol
ReplyDeleteRest in Peace Sir
My condolences Kenny
JD
Hat tip
ReplyDeleteGlass raised here for a good man.
ReplyDeleteRaising one for your Pop...
ReplyDeleteKen, I am honored you shared this with us and I am glad you were able to be there. I didn't get that privilege when alzheimers killed my Dad but the nursing staff they found him with a smile on his face. At least we all got that. I would have given anything to have been there.
ReplyDeleteGod bless your father.
ReplyDeleteMay the Good Lord grant him the eternal life by the side of his throne.
Your father was a great man and in you he has raised a great man as well.
You can be grateful and proud of your father.
God bless you all.
Just did, Salute!
ReplyDeleteA Patriot's gratitude to your father and god rest his soul.
ReplyDeleteAgent Orange and so many other great things our own Gov did to the Military men and women should have some people in prison or the ground.
I have been cutting back recently, but will gladly raise glass to the Father of my favorite blogger and a good man.
The US gubmint, fucking over the the men (and women) of the armed services from....well, almost the very beginning, until this very day. Don't forget, in 1932, Patton and Eisenhower used the Army to violently disperse the bonus army. Don't think the current crop of shitheels in charge will be less inclined to do similar.
DeleteTo your Dad, Ken. A Sam Adam's Octoberfest. Men ain't made like they use to.
ReplyDeleteDano
It's been twenty years since my last drink. I'll have one for this.
ReplyDeleteTo all of our Dads.
ReplyDeleteMay we meet their standards.
When men were real men. Great picture!
ReplyDeleteMarty West
RIP Brother, I hope to have a bourbon with you when we meet on Fiddler's Green. Respectfully, Alemaster
ReplyDeleteHere's to you CW2 Kirk Lane, I did not know you or your crew but you all most certainly have my undying respect.
ReplyDeleteI'm tipping a Heady Topper for you tonight my friend.
DP2 M. L. Collar
USN 12/17/1975 - 12/17/1981
"Raise a glass for him tonight, please."
ReplyDeleteDone. God Bless him and his comrades.
And God help the rest of us these days...
RIP. I've known too many guys who fell to agent orange. I always thought their names should be on the wall.
ReplyDeleteHe certainly does look like he could kick some ass!!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless him for his service to our country and for being a great strong man!!
Will toast him tonight ...thank you for sharing Ken.
Prosit! To a good man.
ReplyDeleteCheers to you and your Dad sir. Cheers to mine and my wife’s. Looking forward to seeing the Lord’s promises one day and evermore.
ReplyDeleteHonoring your father, as you clearly do, is the first commandment with promise. An honorable man who raised an honorable son.
ReplyDeleteSAAA- LUTE! here's to you Mr. Lane.... my stepfather has boils under the skin of his whole back from agent orange. he was with a unit detailed to support special ops in laos and cambodia. they bombed, napalmed, then bulldozed their way into 155 range of the border. he was a skinny fellow then, holding a 155 round in each hand by the nose ring. i can't pick up one with both hands. your dad was a man among men.
ReplyDeleteHere's to Kirk Lane!
ReplyDeleteCav you say? He's now with all the other troopers at Fiddler's Green hearing the faint Garry Owen on the breeze. I raise 4 fingers of Johnny Walker Blue to a fellow Cav member. (11th ACR BLACKHORSE)
ReplyDeleteShit yeah Go CAV. See you in the Green sometime Mr. Lane. Scouts Out!!
DeleteSaber 7
A real American Hero. Rest easy CW2 Lane!
ReplyDeleteMy father passed in 2008(Korea vet).Blessed are those that served. Tears and prayers for the fallen and all who have served.
ReplyDeleteRaising a pint to your pop.
ReplyDeleteIt would be my honor. When my time comes I can only hope to leave with my son there to hold my hand.
ReplyDeleteS.E. Idaho.
The Salt of the Earth
ReplyDeleteGarry Owen and here’s to absent companions.
ReplyDeleteCuba Libre raised ~ RLTW
ReplyDeleteGin and sparkly citrus stuff. Here's looking atcha, Kirk.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the privilege of being with your father as he died. I spent the entire last day of my dad's life in his hospital room, when my sister and mother were avoiding it. It's been eleven years and I still want to hug him again more than I can bear with equanimity.
hear, hear to your Da!
ReplyDeleteChutes Magoo
Cheers to a real man, harder and harder to find them in the younger generation
ReplyDeleteTo Kirk Lane and all the vets. I'm so lucky I've still got my father at 98 years. 4 years in the pacific on a destroyer. They sank 2 subs and were taken out by Kimakazes off of Okinawa. Lots of stories but I won't have him for long.
ReplyDeleteHand Salute, and glass raised.
ReplyDeleteFuckin 'eh. Toasting right now...
ReplyDeleteIf I fly tonight I'll dedicate it to him.
ReplyDeleteNice tribute to your Dad. Great picture of him. RIP Kirk.
ReplyDeleteTo a Good Man! I didn't think about how much my own father did for me, until after he was gone.
ReplyDeletetallowpot
Ken,not drinking at moment but am sure me dad will buy your dad a drink in the next chapter of life.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you, Mr Lane.
ReplyDeleteI raise my Rum and Ginger to your departed Dad, and to you Ken for being there for him.
ReplyDeleteCheers to you both.
Done. An honor.
ReplyDeletePlease raise a glass to my dad, Field Artillery, Central Highlands, 66-67. He is/was the very soul of integrity.
https://youtu.be/qMkQExuzL_0
ReplyDeleteI will always regret not being able to be with my Father when he left us. A WWII Vet he was a strong influence in helping me with my Vietnam experiences.
ReplyDeleteI know how comforting it is to be with your father as he passes. My thoughts go out to you. I am sure he would be happy with the way you turned out.
ReplyDeleteDeath and Taxes, and between a life of service and family. RIP Kirk, Semper Fi
ReplyDeleteGlass raised...
ReplyDeleteI had a glass of Eagle Rare last evening for him and a few others. RIP
ReplyDeleteSemper Fi, Raising a cold one to the Kirk and men like him
ReplyDeleteConsider it done.
ReplyDeleteSlaite.
You do him proud.
You're a good man from a good man.
ReplyDeleteGod bless. Ohio Guy
ReplyDeleteI remember your post when you were still in Cali, when you and your Pops went for a day trip of driving in the hills and shooting off a few rounds together. I guess it resonates that I wish I could do stuff like that with my dad. As you already know, my Dad is still with us, but in NC so I don’t get to see him as often as I would like. My thoughts and prayers are with you Ken.
ReplyDeleteMadMarlin
Nine years? Wow. I always felt like I knew your dad from reading the posts about him. Your words conveyed the love and respect you had for him. I am glad he was your father.
ReplyDeleteSalute. It would have been an honor to know him. Just got back from a two week backpacking trip so am catching up on your blog. I know he would be proud of you.
ReplyDeleteMy father also. 1934-2000. Agent Orange.
ReplyDeleteUSAF. SE Asia every fucking year TDY for at least 3 months. Thailand 1957-1958, 3 more full tours between 1962 and 1973. Was in Saigon during the evacuation in 1975.
I envy you all who had a Dad that was worth a pinch.
ReplyDeleteMine was an irresponsible, carousing son of bitch.