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A Hero’s Birthday: 90 Years On This Planet So Far!
By Nick | July 7, 2008
Yesterday was my grandfather’s birthday…90 years old. We went up to Charlottesville to help him celebrate and this was a photo I shot while there.
What an amazing life this man has lived…nothing short of Rock Star quality. He’s seen the world, raised a family, and has tons of stories to tell about this 90 year old journey. Let me rattle off a few of the things he has done:
- Grew up with the Hatfields and the McCoys (No Joke)
- An explorer of Mammoth Cave in Kentucky
- Flew with Charles Lindbergh
- Flew with Chuck Yeager
- Was a bombardier in World War II for the Air Force (reached Lieutenant Colonel status)
- Worked for the CIA under the Corona Project
- Worked for the Environmental Protection Agency
- He is in the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum with not one, but two contributions.
I’ve written about him before in this blog, but I feel it is necessary to reiterate how much of a hero this man is to me and how much of an inspiration he has been on my life. Many of his stories and lessons follow me on a day to day basis. I can remember spending summers with him growing up and those being some of the best experiences of my life. Camping, panning for gold, surviving tornados, relic hunting, archaeology, and making root beer are only a few of the many vivid memories I have with my grandfather by my side.
He truly is and will always be the smartest man I know. He is an expert in multiple fields, and a humble one at that. Thanks for sharing 33 of those 90 years so far with me, Paboy. I look forward to many more with you.
Topics: Family, Life, The Past | 7 Comments »
July 7th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
What an awesome post! Happy Birthday to your Grandpa!
July 7th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
He truly is special. . .in more ways than you’ll ever know. He and Grandmother played a big role in allowing us to have the life we had. He is definitely one of a kind. We are blessed to have shared time with him.
July 7th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Always remember how lucky you are to have gotten so much time with your grandfather and been able to hear those stories firsthand!
I never had a grandfather. They were both gone before me (well actually my maternal grandfather was alive for the first few months of my life).
The closest thing I’ve had is both of Shelley’s grandfathers who I got to know before they passed away…and while it was wonderful, it wasn’t quite the same.
You’re so lucky, and I’m envious, but in a good way. Wonderful picture and beautiful tribute.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:43 am
Could you tell a little more on your grand-dads expolration of Mammoth Cave.
July 8th, 2008 at 9:06 am
He is a real sweetheart! I feel so fortunate to know your grandparents, they are both truly amazing people. I know you know how lucky you are and they love you so much!
July 9th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Aw you made me go all lumpy in the throaty over this post…
Happy birthday, late papa.
July 9th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
I’d like to roll with your grandpa!