My dear friend richard passed away sunday. He was like a 2nd father to me. He invited me in to his home when i was strung out on drugs and had no job. He helped brighten my views on life. We would often sit around and have convos about WW1 all the way to vietnam (which he was a vet of).
This is the kind of man he was. His son and I had a real bad fight one night. So his son jumps up and runs to richards car and gets in it. Starts it up and tries to run over me as im trying to jerk him out of the car. Missing me and hitting several cars in the parking lot. I looked at richard and said "i am so sorry" His reply was "Brian, kids will be kids and sometimes some are dumber than others". He wasnt angry. He was let down by the way we acted. This he told me a couple of years later when we were laughing at it. He was,is and always will be what a real man should be. Worked 12 hours a day 6 days a week for 20+ years just to take care of his family. When i was out of work having the hardest time of my life. He bought me groceries. He bought my kids xmas. Never asked him, he just showed up with it.
Today we lay my dear friend to rest. Someone i love and admire. A hero of some sorts. I want to thank him for everything he has ever done for me and my family. I want to thank him for serving and protecting our freedoms.
Richard, i love you bud.
