Sidewinder
Well-Known Member
Dear Friends:
On 6 October 2017, my father Joseph J. Zahn lost his 4-month battle with lung cancer.
I arrived in Virginia expecting to take him for treatment at the University of Virginia Cancer Center in Charlottesville. The doctors did everything they could to treat him, but unfortunately the cancer was too aggressive and we decided to go home. He suffered severely. I never left his bedside; he died a week later.
Last weekend, we celebrated the life of Joe Zahn. He was buried with full military honors and the American Legion from Bedford County presented the flag. I did the eulogy. This was a celebration of the simple man, who not only loved his country and family, but towards the end of his life put the Bible and Jesus Christ first in every aspect of his life.
Yesterday we buried the greatest generation, but today we begin to bury the silent generation. Joe Zahn was the embodiment of this. He was a simple man who served his country like many others. He was called back for another tour and unfortunately became disabled. He worked for years as a construction worker on New York’s tallest sky scrapers and he never complained about his disability.
Over the past month my experience in Virginia was nothing but profound. At UVA, I witnessed doctors and nurses from many different backgrounds pushing the outer envelope of medical technology, united by endless determination to eradicate cancer. They are rock stars who defined Awesome. At the Baptist churches in Charlottesville and Rocky Mount, strangers stepped up to plate selflessly to support my mother. Finally, must I not forget the countless numbers of veterans who came to a memorial service to celebrate another brother and console a wife who loved him dearly for over 60 years. It was an experience of American Kindness to the fullest.
In Dad’s old ‘55 Ford gas guzzler, I took a final drive on his favorite road, the Blue Ridge Parkway overlooking the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. The temperature has finally dropped, the fall foliage has past its peak, and the deer have disappeared as usual. I lit a Havana and put the dial to his favorite AM station. This is what he wanted and I know he is in a better place. The memories hit and the tears finally come. Thank you Papa; we will miss you dearly!
I return to London next week with my mother who will begin a new life in the UK. Like my father on the battlefield, I could not leave her behind to die of a broken heart. Welcome her, England!
With Love and Kindness,
Glenn
Semper Paratus!
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants.”
Psalm 116:15
On 6 October 2017, my father Joseph J. Zahn lost his 4-month battle with lung cancer.
I arrived in Virginia expecting to take him for treatment at the University of Virginia Cancer Center in Charlottesville. The doctors did everything they could to treat him, but unfortunately the cancer was too aggressive and we decided to go home. He suffered severely. I never left his bedside; he died a week later.
Last weekend, we celebrated the life of Joe Zahn. He was buried with full military honors and the American Legion from Bedford County presented the flag. I did the eulogy. This was a celebration of the simple man, who not only loved his country and family, but towards the end of his life put the Bible and Jesus Christ first in every aspect of his life.
Yesterday we buried the greatest generation, but today we begin to bury the silent generation. Joe Zahn was the embodiment of this. He was a simple man who served his country like many others. He was called back for another tour and unfortunately became disabled. He worked for years as a construction worker on New York’s tallest sky scrapers and he never complained about his disability.
Over the past month my experience in Virginia was nothing but profound. At UVA, I witnessed doctors and nurses from many different backgrounds pushing the outer envelope of medical technology, united by endless determination to eradicate cancer. They are rock stars who defined Awesome. At the Baptist churches in Charlottesville and Rocky Mount, strangers stepped up to plate selflessly to support my mother. Finally, must I not forget the countless numbers of veterans who came to a memorial service to celebrate another brother and console a wife who loved him dearly for over 60 years. It was an experience of American Kindness to the fullest.
In Dad’s old ‘55 Ford gas guzzler, I took a final drive on his favorite road, the Blue Ridge Parkway overlooking the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. The temperature has finally dropped, the fall foliage has past its peak, and the deer have disappeared as usual. I lit a Havana and put the dial to his favorite AM station. This is what he wanted and I know he is in a better place. The memories hit and the tears finally come. Thank you Papa; we will miss you dearly!
I return to London next week with my mother who will begin a new life in the UK. Like my father on the battlefield, I could not leave her behind to die of a broken heart. Welcome her, England!
With Love and Kindness,
Glenn
Semper Paratus!
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants.”
Psalm 116:15
