I consider myself fortunate because my father was an exemplary man. I grew up in an era when you could count on your father to say what he meant and
that he meant what he said! Basically, he was a man of his word and expected the same from everyone, including me. Setting an example for me of
loving, protecting, and providing, never was a question. He had high expectations of himself as well as of me. The more time I spent with him,
the more I wanted to know more about him. From my early years, he shared knowledge, insights and skills. Along with providing parables, his adventures
always provided viable solutions to dilemmas I could draw from later in life.
He grew up in a small town, graduating from high school and holding numerous jobs before joining the military, where he excelled in the audio visual field.
I was born in his home state and, as a military brat, enjoyed traveling the world with him and my mother. He made my life interesting, having experienced
more than a dozen residences before I too graduated from high school.
Once he retired, he continued to always try to make life for those around him better than he found it. As the years flew by, I discovered that he truly
was the man I could honestly say made a difference in life. So much so, that I was blessed with spending his last days on this earth with him.
I look forward to the day I am once again united with the man I knew as my father!
Happy Father’s Day, Dad!
Love always,
Your son
Submitted by Mark A. Hedtke
