I'm old enough to probably have forgotten more than I know,

[tadman95]

I hope that I remember the stuff that matters. The one thing I think I've learned is the truest test of a person is simply this; If no one is looking, will you do the right thing? If you think about that for a moment, how many people do you know that you truly can trust to do that?

Tonight my dad is slowly passing on. He is someone who would not only do the right thing, he wouldn't even think about the alternative.

Growing up in the depression, from a poor family, he graduated high school at 16, immediately joined the Marines so he could go to college on the VA bill. Graduated from the University of Tennessee , and helped build a country. (yea I know, Tennessee, but he did raise a Notre Dame fan right? LOL)

Now he isn't going in the history books, but we're all better off that he was here. I'm going to miss him. I hope St. Peter will straighten out this whole Notre Dame - Teneessee thing.

 

[phork]

I hope that I remember the stuff that matters. The one thing I think I've learned is the truest test of a person is simply this; If no one is looking, will you do the right thing? If you think about that for a moment, how many people do you know that you truly can trust to that?

Tonight my dad is slowly passing on. He is someone who would not only do the right thing, he wouldn't even think about the alternative.

Growing up in the depression, from a poor family, he graduated high school at 16, immediately joined the Marines so he could go to college on the VA bill. Graduated from the University of Tennessee , and helped build a country. (yea I know, Tennessee, but he did raise a Notre Dame fan right? LOL)

Now he isn't going in the history books, but we're all better off that he was here. I'm going to miss him. I hope St. Peter will straighten out this whole Notre Dame - Teneessee thing.

Sorry to hear that bro. The IE family is here for you. Your Dad will live on in your own personal history book, I am sure it would be a best seller.

 

[johnnykillz]

Remarkable post sir.

Thanks for sharing.

My prayers are about you and your family tonight.

 

[NDinFL]

I hope that I remember the stuff that matters. The one thing I think I've learned is the truest test of a person is simply this; If no one is looking, will you do the right thing? If you think about that for a moment, how many people do you know that you truly can trust to that?

Tonight my dad is slowly passing on. He is someone who would not only do the right thing, he wouldn't even think about the alternative.

Growing up in the depression, from a poor family, he graduated high school at 16, immediately joined the Marines so he could go to college on the VA bill. Graduated from the University of Tennessee , and helped build a country. (yea I know, Tennessee, but he did raise a Notre Dame fan right? LOL)

Now he isn't going in the history books, but we're all better off that he was here. I'm going to miss him. I hope St. Peter will straighten out this whole Notre Dame - Teneessee thing.

My condolences.


Your father sounds like he was a great man. You should be very proud.

My prayers go out to you and your family.

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

Remarkable post sir.

Thanks for sharing.

My prayers are about you and your family tonight.

+1 couldnt have said it any better.

 

[irishff1014]

I hope that I remember the stuff that matters. The one thing I think I've learned is the truest test of a person is simply this; If no one is looking, will you do the right thing? If you think about that for a moment, how many people do you know that you truly can trust to that?

Tonight my dad is slowly passing on. He is someone who would not only do the right thing, he wouldn't even think about the alternative.

Growing up in the depression, from a poor family, he graduated high school at 16, immediately joined the Marines so he could go to college on the VA bill. Graduated from the University of Tennessee , and helped build a country. (yea I know, Tennessee, but he did raise a Notre Dame fan right? LOL)

Now he isn't going in the history books, but we're all better off that he was here. I'm going to miss him. I hope St. Peter will straighten out this whole Notre Dame - Teneessee thing.

Sorry to hear that You all are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

I hope that I remember the stuff that matters. The one thing I think I've learned is the truest test of a person is simply this; If no one is looking, will you do the right thing? If you think about that for a moment, how many people do you know that you truly can trust to that?

Tonight my dad is slowly passing on. He is someone who would not only do the right thing, he wouldn't even think about the alternative.

Growing up in the depression, from a poor family, he graduated high school at 16, immediately joined the Marines so he could go to college on the VA bill. Graduated from the University of Tennessee , and helped build a country. (yea I know, Tennessee, but he did raise a Notre Dame fan right? LOL)

Now he isn't going in the history books, but we're all better off that he was here. I'm going to miss him. I hope St. Peter will straighten out this whole Notre Dame - Teneessee thing.

Wonderful post, Brah. Your dad will be in my thoughts tonight and going forward. My dad is a "Boomer" but your descriptions of your pops remind me a lot of him.

 

[RyCo1983]

I lost my Mom last year Feb. 19th...if you feel like letting everything you got inside out to a total nonjudgemental mystery stranger...let me know.

My prayers will be sure to include you and yours.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Sounds to me like your dad is deservedly going to get a real good seat w a real nice view upon passing through the pearly gates. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

 

[Rack Em]

Incredible post Tadman. Even better story. Someone to certainly be proud of.

 

[greyhammer90]

As a Notre Dame fan and University of Tennessee alumnus, I'll be praying for you and your family. I'll be sure to swing by and make a quick prayer near the Torchbearer tomorrow for your dad. It's not the grotto, but it's the best way I can think to honor a UT grad.

 

[BobD]

Your father sounds like a great man. You and your family are in our prayers tonight Tadman.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Tadman,

I'm sorry to hear about your father. It sounds like he lived a life he (and you) can be very proud of. I lost my best friend since childhood in November, and your description of your dad as someone who you could trust to do the right thing even when you weren't looking reminded me of my friend. He was 29 years old, an Air Force veteran, a brilliant mind and my truest friend. There aren't a lot of people out there who you can trust implicitly and without question. I know it is hard to say goodbye, but each of us were blessed to have these people in our lives - not everyone gets that opportunity.

Thank you for reminding me to take a minute to reflect on my friend. As others have said, we're all here for you and thinking of you.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

Sorry to hear about this. Posts like these are great for reflection. Prayers, my friend.

 

[elvinhuston]

There are very less people on whom you can trust for long...Read your story and sorry about your dad..

 

[BeauBenken]

Tadman, I'm sorry to hear about your father. I can tell just from the love in your post, that you're right, we are all better off having lived in a world that included your dad.

 

[irishmarine]

I too am sorry to hear about your father. As a marine I k ow that saying all o well as it was repeated into our heads daily in bootcamp. This country was built on the back of people like your father and for that we all than him for his service an contribution to this country. God bless And semper fi

 

[NDFan4Life]

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Your Dad sounds like a great father, and you have every right to be very proud of him and his accomplishments.

 

[pantera1968]

Your dad sounds like a great man, sorry for your loss. If my son were to describe me the same way that you just described your father I would know that I had done my job well. What a beautiful compliment to your dad!

 

[4irishnation]

Great post Tadman thoughts and prayers your way.

 

[nd1]

sorry to hear. my families pryers are with you and your family.

 

[irishpat183]

That you for the post.

And God bless your father as he moves to a better place.

You will see him again.

 

[tadman95]

First let me say thank you all for the kind words and thoughts. From behind the anonymity of your keyboards you all represent the greatness of the Notre Dame spirit. All of you would most certainly be welcome here if you ever get to Mayberry.

Dad passed away quietly this morning. Having survived heart by-pass surgery, and two bouts with cancer, he left painlessly and at peace. In my 54 years, I can honestly say I never heard him say a cross word to anyone. Only really saw him mad once.

He whipped my butt a few times (I deserved everyone of them) but the worse was when he would talk to me about something bad (or dumb) I did. The dreaded "I'm disappointed" phrase. I had a great growing up!

I know you guys had important influences in your lives, I was lucky enough to have my dad.

Thanks IrishEnvy, it's a great place to hang out!

 

[Domina Nostra]

I'll be praying for him.

 

[NDFan4Life]

My condolences, tadman.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Tadman, Semper Fi, (for your Dad). Your story hits close to home. My dad spent 4 yrs in the South Pacific, did the GI bill, raised us right, and passed in '04 at 87. Just lost Mom last year at almost 93. You hit it, what we need is that old spirit of doing the right thing because it is. That and all the rest of who your father is, will stay with you. Trust me. In you is the best part of him. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

I don't know why this came up for me, but let me offer it as a prayer. It is something all of us (Marines) have learned since WWII:

Rifleman's Creed

This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. My rifle, without me, is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will...

My rifle and myself know that what counts in this war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, or the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit...

My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strength, its parts, its accessories, its sights and its barrel. I will keep my rifle clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready. We will become part of each other. We will...

Before God, I swear this creed. My rifle and myself are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life.

So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy, but peace!

 

[Old Man Mike]

Condolences and strength of the Holy Spirit especially so that you and your family can see this as "just" the promised transition to an earned reward.

My father was the great Engine of our family, but also a greater soul. After a hard day at work, he still had time for us kids --- helping with homework, exploring the encyclopedia, and just advice. That advice was always in the mode of "do the right thing whether anyone's watching or not", because not only IS SOMEBODY watching, but IT's JUST RIGHT. To us boys, Dad taught about what it meant to be a man [your Dad seems much like him --- what a gift]. That always meant doing the right thing, non-self-centeredly, with one's male power.

He walked the talk. Praying novenas privately in the living room. Insisting that the whole family pray a decade of the rosary each 100 miles on our trips back home to his old home in Chicago. Just generally "showing up" whenever. These men are valued far beyond price. Would that more of us would be true men like them.

Imitate him as best you can. I try and fail to do the same with my Dad. We have been blessed.