Talking with Dad

My dad is awesome. Tall. Strong. Hardworking. Tough. Patriotic. Efficient.

He would never ask someone to do something that he wouldn't do himself. He is an exceptional military officer. He won the Officer of the Year award in Alaska. That's a big deal.

He was the first person to hold me. Feed me. Love me. He named me. I think we have a special bond. I like to think we are a lot alike. Only he is much better than I am.

He used to call me into his room when mom was gone and ask me my opinions on things. Big things. Life changing ones. Not often. But a few times. It made me feel important.

Yesterday he called and told me something he hadn't told mom. He asked what I thought. I told him. We hung up.

Yesterday at dinner I got into a discussion about the military with him.

If you read this blog, you probably know that my great grandfather, grandfather and father all served in the Alaska Air National Guard. It like a secondary wing of the Air Force. My paternal grandfather was a helicopter pilot in the Army during Vietnam.

Naturally, growing up, I wanted to be just like dad. Except a Captain. Because dad was a lieutenant. I remember when I was 6 or 7 we were at the store. I saw an odd, but very awesome looking action figure.

"Who is that dad?"

"Thats Captain America."

"Who's Captain America?"

"He's my favorite superhero. The best there is."

From then on out, you can probably guess who my favorite superhero was. Captain America.

I knew I *wanted* to be in the Military as a kid. I didn't know I *needed* to be until I was about 14.

But now I do. And in fact, Captain America inspired the GI Generation, just as he inspires the Millennial Generation in modern times.

But my dad inspires me more than Captain America. He is the man I hope to become. He is the husband, the father, the military officer, the leader, learner, the worker and friend I want to be.