Tribute to my father

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Gymrat
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Tribute to my father

Post by Gymrat »

A few years ago I came into possession of this letter. It is in absolutely mint condition given it is nearly 55 years old.

Image

It reads as follows:

HEADQUARTERS
6499TH SUPPORT GROUP
United States Air Force
APO 94, San Francisco, California

Master Roger H Broeg
c/o Mrs Margie A. Broeg

12 October 1960

Dear Roger:
You will not be able to read or understand this letter now. However, I feel that some day you will appreciate reading about your father as written by someone in the Air Force who knew him and served with him. Because of this, perhaps your mother will keep this letter for you and give it to you when you are older.

For twelve years, which was most of his adult life, your father served his country in the United States Air Force. During this time, he served at stations in the Continental United States and overseas in Korea, Okinawa, and twice in the Philippine Islands. The most notable of all this service, perhaps, was that with the U. S. Air Force elements in the combat zone in the Korean conflict. At the time of his death he was a Technical Sergeant, head of a section of the Manila Philippine Islands detachment of my command.

I knew your father for well over a year. From what I have learned from others who knew him longer and better , he was a highly efficient reliable and dedicated non-commissioned officer, respected and liked by all his military associates. While he lived, he provided you, your sister, and your mother with all the comforts, conveniences and opportunities he could afford. He even provided for you, to the extent possible for this time in your life when he would no longer be with you. All these things, Roger, mean simply that your father was a first class military man, a first class citizen and a first class father.

As you grow older and want to know about your father, your mother will doubtless tell you more and more about him. But, as sort of an outsider, let me tell you this. I am sure your father wanted, above all else, that you and your sister should grow and develop into good, dependable and substantial citizens. As you grow up, you should and you will become your own kind of man. But, one sure way to grow into the right kind of man, and the kind your father wanted and expected you to be, is to emulate the example he set for you. You can be justly proud of that example.

I mean all these things sincerely, Roger, and only trust that this letter may one day be of value to you.

Sincerely,

signature

JAMES T. BULL
Colonel, USAF
Commander

James T Bull will never have any idea of how much value this letter is to me.
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Rebel_B
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Re: Tribute to my father

Post by Rebel_B »

That is amazing; thanks for sharing.
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mashani
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Re: Tribute to my father

Post by mashani »

Yes, that is quite amazing. A lot of respect for all here.
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Kealia
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Re: Tribute to my father

Post by Kealia »

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Sparrow
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Re: Tribute to my father

Post by Sparrow »

A perfect example of why we celebrate Memorial Day, Thank you Roger.
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Beer-lord
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Re: Tribute to my father

Post by Beer-lord »

I remember you posting this before and its very touching and I thank you for sharing.
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BlackDuck
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Re: Tribute to my father

Post by BlackDuck »

I remember reading that before too. And I love reading it each Memorial Day. Cheers to Seargent Broeg.
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RedBEERd
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Re: Tribute to my father

Post by RedBEERd »

Wow, what a tribute!

I'm sure your dad is proud of you. And the man who sent that to you seems like a classy person for doing so.

Thanks for sharing this.
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jimjohson
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Re: Tribute to my father

Post by jimjohson »

Thanks for sharing such a personal letter Rodger.
"Filled with mingled cream and amber
I will drain that glass again.
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Come to life and fade away;
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I am drinking ale today."

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whynot
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Re: Tribute to my father

Post by whynot »

Rodger, thank you for the reminder of what Memorial Day really means. Your father, the Colonel, and you are three fine men.
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Re: Tribute to my father

Post by FedoraDave »

It's really dusty in here today, for some reason. Yeah, I got dust in my eye. That's it. I'm not crying or anything, it's dust.

Damn.

What a gesture from someone you didn't even know. And what a tribute to a man who earned the titles serviceman, husband, father, and man. In Yiddish, he'd be called a mensch, or maybe an übermensch. As would the officer who took the time to write this tribute to what I can't help but believe was a fine example of a human being.

I will remember your father tomorrow, Roger. Memorial Day is a little more personal for me now. Thanks for sharing this.
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berryman
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Re: Tribute to my father

Post by berryman »

Thank You for sharing that with us Roger.
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teutonic terror
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Re: Tribute to my father

Post by teutonic terror »

Thank you for sharing!

With my eyes watering like this, evidently my allergy's are flaring up.
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