Happy Father's Day to all the fathers and dads out there. Like the old saying goes "Any guy can be a father, but not anyone can be a dad". That saying is so true. I know guys that almost act like they are scared of their kids. I don't know if they are afraid of growing older or what. Some of them don't even know their kids.
My father was a dad. We called him "Dad" but referred to him as "Big George". He was a big guy, he was a fireman and he was the head of the household. When I was 16, I thought he was the dumbest man in the world only to find out a few years later that I was the dumbest and he was the smartest.
His dad was a Baltimore City Fireman. He drove 10 Truck, a hook and ladder truck. He died at the young age of 33 from a heart attack. He left behind a wife and 5 kids, my dad was the oldest.
After my dad was discharged from the Army after WWII, he joined the BCFD and was assigned to 10 Truck. He started out as a tillerman. That's the guy who steered the back of the truck. He retired at a mandatory age of 55 Spending most of his career at 10 Truck.
When I was a kid he would take me to work with him on his off day when it was time to pick up his paycheck. He would put me behind the steering wheel of the reserve engine and I would play while he went and visited with his co-workers.
My dad was my hero. I miss him everyday. There's not a day that goes by the I don't think of him and he's been gone almost 15 years now. I was lucky to have a dad like him. I could go on for pages talking about him.
Happy Fathers Day!
3 comments:
Thanks for sharing some sweet memories, Dave. I can see your resemblance to your Dad.
I know about firemen - and know that all the rest of his company probably treated you like a son as well. That sense of family is special in the FD.
Thanks Laura!
I think your Dad was pretty special too! My Dad has been gone now for 16 1/2 years.
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