Happy Father's Day, Jack

My father Jack would have been 89 this August. He died at age 86 due to a stroke. He was a great father and role model. Part of the greatest generation, he served as a bombardier/navigator in WW II on Guam. He was smart, handsome (he looked like Ray Milland) and successful in everything he did.

After the war, he became a businessman. He rose through the ranks of a Fortune 500 company. After 33 years, he was in the top 13, an Executive Vice-President, equal to the Presidents of the divisions.

In his spare time, he liked to read (he read all of Agatha Christie's novels), go antique shopping and refinish old furniture.

After I graduated from college, dad took me on a two week trip of Ireland (Dublin) and Scotland (Glasgow). Both countries were beautiful in different ways and the people were very friendly. We had a great time and took a boat trip around Loch Lomand. I remember seeing a mink running on the shore.

My great grandfather, William Shannon lived in Alloway, Scotland, outside of Glasgow and the home of Robert Burns. He moved to Pennsylvania when I was 4- I barely remember him reciting "To A Mouse" to me.

After dad died, I tried to pay tribute to him. He was an excellent student in high school (salutatorian) and college (Dean's List-straight A's both semester senior year). He majored in economics at Bucknell U. and had an 86 average. I contacted Bucknell and they were happy to induct him posthumously in their chapter of the International Economics Honor Society (Omicron Delta Epsilon), which started after he graduated. I also got him inducted as an honorary member in the Business Honor Society (Delta Mu Delta). Finally, I saw an article in our local newspaper about the Saipan medallion, which commemorated the 60^th anniversary of the Battle of Saipan; those who served in the Pacific Theatre of operations during WW II were eligible to receive it from a VFW post, however, the relative had to be a member of the VFW, so I joined VFW Post 192 (I was a major in Operation Desert Storm, stationed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia). It is a beautiful medal that has a red, white and blue ribbon; it is in a case with his other medals and captain's bars.

Dad always wanted to go on a safari- he never made it. At least we had Ireland and Scotland. Happy Father's Day, Dad.

Love,

John