Reply #636: Props to all who sacrificed...

[Algomas]

My dad was a RCAF fighter pilot in France, WWII. He became Flight Lieutenant and was a champion billiard and snooker player. He was also a sensitive person (I think he was a mamas boy) and was never able to adjust to life after war. I think he drank himself to death to be free from his demons and his guilt. One late night when he was drunk and past the volatile stage, he told me he strafed a train load of civilians until the marsh on each side of the train ran red with blood. I also believe he abused his wife and us five children because he felt unworthy of receiving any love or forgiveness. He was punishing himself as much as he was punishing us. He threw all his really cool flight jackets and scarves in the trash and sometimes at night he would wake up screaming. Although he made my life a living hell for 15 years, he did turn me against war and authority in general. He also set me straight about religion and taught me to recognize bullshit when I see it. In his later years (Vietnam), he was extremely disgusted with American leadership. He could surgically puncture any politicians lies and told me he would send me to Canada before letting me die for nothing. A lot of his talk could have got him arrested. I think he was proud that I became a hippy and ran off to India.
Thanks Dad.