Those close to me know some of this, but I haven’t been able to publicly announce or write about it until now. My dad, Ralph Eric Mroch, died on October 21, 2017.
“Why has it taken you so long to talk about your father’s death?” some might wonder. Perhaps even you.
To borrow a Facebook relationship status: It’s complicated.
If I ever do address that, that’ll be a post (or two, maybe even several) for another time.
For now, this is what I feel compelled to write. It was inspired by a text I got from his girlfriend, Ellen, last night. She told me she’d be attending a ceremony in Fort Logan today with her son, Chuck. And that Chuck had gotten a flag for my dad.
Chuck himself is a veteran. He’s retired Navy. He was the one who was most instrumental in seeing that my dad’s wishes to be buried in Fort Logan came true. (Fort Logan is where my dad is interred.)
A Passionate Patriot
In his last years, all my dad talked about when it came to his death was how he wanted to be cremated and be put in Fort Logan.
He told us he had all of the details worked out, but of course he didn’t. (Well, to outsiders the “of course” is not a given. But for his family who really knew the true Ralph? It came as no surprise that all of the end of life arrangements he claimed to have made were not.)
Anyway, that’s not important.
What is is that my dad was one of the most passionate patriots I’ve ever known. Even though he had his flaws (which I’m not faulting him for, because we all have them!), one thing he excelled at for sure was being a role model for patriotism.
His Wonder Years
Born in 1930, he was part of that generation who grew up during hard years, i.e. The Depression and World War II.
World War II history was among his passions. Military history of any kind he liked, but World War II was definitely his favorite.
As a young man, inspired in large part by the happenings of the world around him as he came of age, he aspired to be in the military. All he ever wanted to do was fly. So he joined the Air Force with aims to become a pilot.
Honorably Discharged
Sadly, he was only a member of the Air Force for a short time.
Just shy of seven months of service, he was honorably discharged after a heart murmur was detected during a medical exam.
My dad never said whether he was disappointed about that or not, or how he handled that back then. He was really a happy-go-lucky type most of the time. (Emphasis on “most.” When he got worked up about something…whoa. Watch out.)
Anyway, I think he was disappointed, but what could he do? He couldn’t do anything about his heart. That was the card he’d been dealt. I think he was just happy to have served and worn the uniform, even if it was just for a little bit.
Military Honors
As I said above, Chuck knew who to call and what to do to make my dad’s wishes for a funeral with military honors come true.
I had never attended a military funeral before, so I had no idea what to expect. Wayne’s uncle had had an honor guard come for Wayne’s dad’s funeral. (His dad was a Vietnam Vet.) They played “Taps” and Wayne and his brother Keith were presented with a flag.
But I’d never experienced the service like the one they did for my dad. He would’ve loved it!
There were servicemen, a three-volley-salute, the ringing of the Honor Bell, and most importantly, servicemen –who did a lot of saluting. (My dad would’ve really loved that!)
I was also presented with a flag, the shells from the spent rifle shells (which they put in a little pouch), and an Honor Bell medallion.
It was really quite something. If there can be a highlight during such a day, that was definitely it. Like I said, my dad would’ve loved it. Loved, loved, loved it!
Fort Logan Forever
My dad is interred in one of the columbarium niches at Fort Logan National Cemetery.
That’s the important thing. He got his wish. He’s surrounded by the people he most admired and adored: The veterans who served their country.
I hope he is resting in peace –but knowing him he’s entertaining everyone with his jokes and songs. (He loved telling jokes and he loved singing. Some of his favorite diddies were wartime tunes.)
I know we were a little estranged at the end, Dad, but I’m glad you’ll forever be in Fort Logan. It really is a beautiful cemetery with its rows of precise white headstones and its view of the foothills.
Remembering you today.
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