Sunday, March 15, 2009

Tuesday's Tribute: Spaceman

I'll tell you straight up... I'm cheating. I am sitting here on Sunday night writing my Tuesday's Tribute. But as I watch the crazy combination of magic, science and miracle that is the shuttle launch, I realize that none of it would be possible without the hard work and dedication of my father-in-law. 

Yep, it's true. My almost 88 year old father-in-law helped design the very first space shuttle way back before we'd even landed on the moon. If you do the math, you realize they didn't have too many computers sitting around the lab back then. Their secret weapon? The slide-rule! 

I could also tell you many stories about his service to our country. He is a decorated veteran of both WWII and the Korean War. He was a B-24 navigator who once had to eject from his plane, ended up landing in a brussels sprouts field and breaking his back. He was the lone survivor of that crash.

But I am sure he would want me to tell you that his greatest accomplishment has been raising his three kids... the youngest being the man I married almost 18 years ago.

Happy Birthday, Granddaddy! 

Who's on your mind today? Link up and let us know!
Tuesday's Tribute
Yet Another Jay and Deb Production.




40 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday and Thank You For Your Service!

Kristina P. said...

He sounds like a great man. My grandpa worked for Aerospace for many years.

Beth said...

Awwww! What an awesome tribute. He sounds like a fabulous guy to sit around with and listen to his stories.

Denise @ Sunflowers, Chocolate and Little Boys said...

Awesome Tribute!!! Happy Birthday!!

Halftime Lessons said...

Wow...what an amazing guy...I bet he has a million fantastic stories.

BenLand said...

hearing my dad's old war stories was always one of my favorite things as a young adult.......
sounds like your father in law is a great guy!

Kim said...

Wow, what a man can do with a slide rule!

Happy b-day!

Lindsay said...

How cool is that!

That's one thing I wish I could've known more about is my Paw Paw's war experiences. He was in WWII and very private about it, and I didn't learn much about it until the end of his life. It's great that you have those stories to share with your fam.

Summer said...

Wow! So you're kinda famous. And I kinda know you. Wow!

Anonymous said...

He sounds like an incredible man. Happy birthday to him.

Candice said...

Wow, the stories he must have to share. What a great tribute!!

Sera said...

That's awesome! The fact that he was the sole survivor in that crash alone is pretty darn sweet, but he did so much more than even that. How cool!

Liz {Learning To Juggle} said...

What a great tribute!! he sounds like a wonderful man!! I imagine the stories he can tell are amazing!!

Young Momma said...

Aww! Deb! I agree with Jay - I've missed your writing. And that is AWESOME!!! Sounds like a GREAT guy. :)

Dawn Parsons Smith said...

Wow! I bet he has the best stories! Your kids are lucky to have him!

Happy Birthday, Granddaddy Spaceman!

Ash said...

Happy Birthday Grandaddy!!!

(you're a sweet lady Ms. Deb :-)

Heather of the EO said...

WOW. NOT a boring guy.

Happy Birthday!

Anonymous said...

Some of our "greatest brains" are now in their 60's, 70's and 80's and where's the tribute? The appreciation? Thank goodness YOU give it!

tiarastantrums said...

aww - that was so special and sweet!!

Claremont First Ward said...

What an incredible legacy he's made for himself. Apparently brains run in the family? :) Happy Birthday to that incredible man in your life!

Debbie said...

Wow! What a great man he must be. Tell him we said thanks for all he has done for us.

Cajoh said...

Great tribute. Happy Birthday!

Momma@Live. Laugh. Pull your hair out said...

So cool! Great post!

amelia bedelia said...

Happy Birthday to him....Neat story!!

Sheri and George said...

Wow, what a great man! He sounds like he has contributed a lot to us and at least one wonderful thing to you. Happy Birthday to him. Nice tribute

Kimmie said...

Oh, that's awesome! Happy birthday to your granddaddy and I thank him for his service to our country!

Missy said...

How awesome! Happy Birthday to him!
I would love to hear some of his stories!~

Anonymous said...

You are so very close to greatness then, aren't you? That's the coolest info.

Tenakim said...

how very impressive! I was never alive to meet any of my grandpas, but pretty sure all they donated to the universe was the ability to drink a fifth of Whiskey.

Bramblemoon Farm said...

That is SOOO cool. He must have the neatest stories!!!

Jenni said...

Oh my goodnes...that is SUPER cool! Happy Birthday to him!

Jenners said...

So cool that you know someone who actually did something cool! (Can you tell I'm tired....my comments are so lame tonight.)

TuTu's Bliss said...

Such a sweet tribute!

Unknown said...

I finally came back to read this tribute....oh man. He sounds awesome. Sounds like you could dedicate a few posts to stories from that guy. Happy Birthday to your DAD! It was YOUR dad right? Hmmmm.....maybe I'm wrong on that one.

kel said...

that is the coolest thing ever!! You have an awesome granddaddy!

Debz said...

Happy belated birthday grandpa!!I really should just quit work and school. I miss everything.

Ginger said...

That was sweet. Happy Birthday to your father-in-law.

dogwooddiarist said...

Love this Tuesday tribute idea . . . Happy belated birthday to your Granddaddy. May he celebrate many more!

Straight to Your Hart said...

What a sweet tribute. These are the people who may not be seen by all, but loved by everybody. To thank him for his service seems so trite...God Bless the USA...with men and women like him..we stand strong and united. We NEED more of that...a Backbone!

stefanie said...

This is a wonderful tribute! What an honorable man.