Another Marine has reported for duty to guard the Gates of Heaven and St.Peter has a new Sergeant of the Guard.
My Father, Sergeant Major (Ret) Frank Francis Drake Sr. died yesterday morning in his sleep. He served 30 years from 1951 to 1981 in his beloved Marine Corps. Veteran of Korea and Vietnam, Holder of the Bronze Star for Valor and two Purple Hearts.
Never one to shirk from duty, he raised his five sons to all too love thier God, thier Country and our Corps. He loved his wife for 38 years and when the heart could no longer work on its own, he traded it in for a set of wings.
He taught me to fish and hunt and the love of the outdoors. He also taught me to always do the right things no matter the ultimate cost and for that I thank him and will think of him whenever I see my sons do something that I know would come from his voice whispering in their ear. "Do it boy, because your dad did it to me when he was your age."
Dad, I'll miss you but I'll know where to find you when it is my time.
Bruce