Hunter
09-10-2008, 08:25 PM
Yall may have noticed I have not been very active on the forum in the past month or so. I am sorry for that but my father has been battling an aggressive cancer for the past five weeks and at 1957 on Father's day 2008 he drew his last breath.
I was there to witness his last moments on earth and to tell him I love him and will miss him terribly. Make no mistake, I have no regrets in my fathers passing as we had made our peace with one another many times over. When he went to the hospital I had no illusions of him ever coming home again so I had begun to prepare myself for the inevitable.
Ronnie and I were more than father and son but best friends as well so I have lost twice this Sunday.
My father introduced me to The Marine Corps, Colt, Winchester, and Hornady. He served America as a US Marine and was honorably discharged from service.
He was a man I have and will model my life after. He was a great person and a better father and though I mourn his passing I am a better man because of his influence in my life.
We did spend many a hour arguing over IMR 4895 vs IMR 4350, .308 vs 30-06, and so many other aspects of our hobby. Though our discussions often became heated I have already begun to miss his way of riling me up.
That along with the pistol matches we shot together helps me understand I have lost a great mentor and shooting partner.
I was about 14 when he began to teach me reloading and much, much younger when he introduced me to shooting, hobbies that I continue to love today. I did spend an afternoon teaching my father to cast lead bullets and he did his part by finding us plenty of wheel weights.
I wanted to share this part of my life with yall, my virtual family so you may have a idea of what we as a community have lost.
I can only imagine what the grass looks like blowing in the breeze at the 200 yard line in heaven.
I will miss you Ronnie and I love you. I know we will meet again when I pass from this world to the next.
For the record, on the second picture I know my dad has no ear or eye protection but he was just posing for the picture with the pistol
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/Hunter1911/2006_03250008.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/Hunter1911/2006_04290001.jpg
I was there to witness his last moments on earth and to tell him I love him and will miss him terribly. Make no mistake, I have no regrets in my fathers passing as we had made our peace with one another many times over. When he went to the hospital I had no illusions of him ever coming home again so I had begun to prepare myself for the inevitable.
Ronnie and I were more than father and son but best friends as well so I have lost twice this Sunday.
My father introduced me to The Marine Corps, Colt, Winchester, and Hornady. He served America as a US Marine and was honorably discharged from service.
He was a man I have and will model my life after. He was a great person and a better father and though I mourn his passing I am a better man because of his influence in my life.
We did spend many a hour arguing over IMR 4895 vs IMR 4350, .308 vs 30-06, and so many other aspects of our hobby. Though our discussions often became heated I have already begun to miss his way of riling me up.
That along with the pistol matches we shot together helps me understand I have lost a great mentor and shooting partner.
I was about 14 when he began to teach me reloading and much, much younger when he introduced me to shooting, hobbies that I continue to love today. I did spend an afternoon teaching my father to cast lead bullets and he did his part by finding us plenty of wheel weights.
I wanted to share this part of my life with yall, my virtual family so you may have a idea of what we as a community have lost.
I can only imagine what the grass looks like blowing in the breeze at the 200 yard line in heaven.
I will miss you Ronnie and I love you. I know we will meet again when I pass from this world to the next.
For the record, on the second picture I know my dad has no ear or eye protection but he was just posing for the picture with the pistol
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/Hunter1911/2006_03250008.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/Hunter1911/2006_04290001.jpg