In 1928 he traveled from Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland to Ellis Island, New York City. It was a six week boat ride. He worked as a butcher in a meat plant "Plymouth Rock" in the South Bronx. He became a US citizen and in 1942 joined the US Army and left for the Philippines to serve in WW II. He married my mother weeks before leaving. He returned to the US in 1946 and went back to work in the meat plant. Ten years later he died of Pneumonia. He died too young. I didn't get to know him very well, I was turning four when I watched him die, but I know this; he was brave enough to come to America to make a better life for himself, he was brave enough to choose to join the Army and serve, and I know he was a hard working man, a good man, a salt of the earth man and I know he gave me a better life and a shot at the American Dream. And I'll always be grateful.
So I honor him this Father's Day and remember him. Thanks Pops.......
Posts
