A Poem for Father's Day

He's retired now

He doesn't have to wake-up

So early in the morning

For almost 30 years of mornings

To shine his low quarters

Though the honorary Air Force "CHIEF"

Once told me

That his troops told him

To buy some chlorophrams

And dad being dad didn't

So his Shaw or Langley troops did

He wore them for his photo

Holding the American flag

In his VFW Commanders uniform and flight cap

Before he retired.

What's a dad?

I am not sure what the weather was like

Dad went off to war

In the bloodiest time

of the conflict in 1968 and 1969

And even worse for African-Americans

And people of color

And when he served faithfully and Bravery with integrity

Came home with his Vietnam medal for Gallantry

When he served in U-Tapao with the B-52's

He was sternly told that he had to go to the back

Of the restaurant to get his hamburger meal.

What's a dad?

He's the greatest fisherman, softball player, bowler,mechanic,doctor,leader and disciplinarian and so on

That the world has ever seen

He teaches you that you don't need a boat to catch the big ones

He teaches you that even the pro's strike out sometimes

He teaches you that sometimes you throw a gutter ball

He teaches you to be the best driver who grows up to be a military driving instructor

He teaches you that he's going to protect you and when you get hurt he gets you to" THE Doctor"right on time

He teaches you good leaders are made not born and good followers become good leaders

He teaches you to never discipline when you are angry and always when you discipline

Make sure that it holds a lesson to teach.

What is a dad?

He is a complex person

In a complex world

With so many complex rules

With so many complications.

What is a dad?

For me he still is that old military guy of days-gone-by

He's still that Numero Uno Fisherman

He's so many things

But most of all

My Dad is my (Amigo,mensch,partner,buddy,confidant) f-r-i-e-n-d.