Nice thread idea
My dad was Navy for 4 years, and Army for 20. When anyone asks if I'd ever sign up, I always tell them I'm retired - I've already done my 20 year tour with my dad
. I just turned 20 in May, and I've moved 17 times. Most of those were without him, as he was always overseas when I was little. Most of my memories come in the form of post cards and foreign dolls he sent, or being so excited when he would finally come home - I'd sit on the floor and unlace his combat boots immediately so that he wasn't able to leave so soon. I also remember the dread in that damn green duffle bag, and waking up and just knowing, before I checked my parents bed that my dad had left again for another long deployment. We used to have tapes recorded of my dad reading Dr. Seuss books so my mom could play them back to us when we were getting ready for bed when he was gone - but it turned out to be a failure because we would just cry ourselves to sleep when we heard his voice.
I'm not sure about cool war stories or important things he's ever done - but I do know he's made of butter and he melts every time I call home, and he's my favorite man in the world!
And ohhh man the tears are rolling after typing all of that! Can't wait for Christmas to get here already so I can fly home for a visit.