This photo of my Dad was taken in about 1948. He was stationed in Japan after WWII. Occupied Japan. I first thought he was in the USAF, but in fact, he was in the Army Air Force. Never a pilot, although he did go up in a couple of the planes. Dad was a mechanic. I remember his stories of being in Japan. Said he just about froze to death in a tent barrack. Visited Mount Fuji. Flirted with all the young Japanese girls and sent photos home to my mom, perhaps to make her jealous. I guess it worked because they were married after he got back from Japan. He was so homesick for the States, and really was not fond of his Japanese tour of duty. I wonder what life would have been like as an Army brat. Strange how life twists and turns. If he had enjoyed the military, our family story would have been different. After returning to the States, Dad was in the National Guard for a while. Not too long after that, he was a policeman for the Fort Worth Police Department where he was working when I was born. An American who has worn several different uniforms. I loved him much and really didn't appreciate the man until after it was too late to tell him so. Dad died of lung cancer in 2000. I still miss him and his daily telephone calls. Can still hear his voice if I listen closely.
