My Dad, the Veteran #sharefolgers

Sharing a Cup and a Story with My Favorite Veteran

October 25, 2017Danita

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of The J.M. Smucker Company. The opinions and text are all mine. I’m partnering with Folgers® at Walmart through the Share A Cup & A Story campaign, to create personal connections with Veterans and honor their service to our country.

My Dad, the Veteran #sharefolgers

With Veterans Day approaching, I thought this would be a good time to talk about my favorite veteran…my dad.  He is an unconditionally loving father, faithful husband, provider, man of integrity and yes, veteran.  My goal here is  to honor the man I am privileged to call my dad.  

We’ve had a busy few weeks and although my parents live only a couple of miles away I’ve hardly seen or talked to them.  So, on a recent Saturday morning I headed over to their house to spend some time with them. 

Sharing a Cup with my Favorite Veteran #sharefolgers #ad

When I arrived my dad was doing what I’ve known him to do every morning of…well…I guess his adult life…at least as long as I’ve known him.  He was drinking his morning coffee. He likes it black and not too strong and his preferred brand is Folgers® Classic Roast.  

Sharing a Cup with my Favorite Veteran #sharefolgers #ad

My parents LOVE their coffee and Walmart, which is the only place in town I’ve seen the 48 oz can of Folgers. 

Sharing a Cup with my Favorite Veteran #sharefolgers #ad

Once, many years ago when we lived far from each other and before I was a coffee drinker, they were visiting and I had purchased coffee for them (probably also at Walmart).  As soon as my mom saw it was Folgers her response was, “Oooh, you got the good stuff!”  So from then on, I always “got the good stuff” when they were coming.

Sharing a Cup with my Favorite Veteran #sharefolgers #ad

As I visited and we caught up on our activities the conversation turned to my dad and his military career.  He enlisted in the Air Force in 1961, right out of high school.  This was just before our official involvement in the Vietnam War.  He spent eight years in the military and learned many valuable lessons as well as life and vocational skills that have served him well. 

Sharing a Cup with my Favorite Veteran #sharefolgers #ad

(Photo Credit – Magnetic Patriot)

He became an airplane mechanic on a KC-135Q, probably not a plane most people are familiar with.  It was a refueling plane for the famed SR-71 Blackbird.  Now that’s a plane we’ve all heard of…today.  But, back when he was in service it was highly classified, top-secret and only those in direct contact with it even knew about it.  Because they were spy planes and top-secret, they weren’t allowed to land just anywhere.  Usually, it was someplace in the US or Okinawa, Japan but it flew all over the world.  The refueling plane and its crew were sent around the world with it.  My dad has literally been all over the world, too many countries to count.  When I was a kid I used to love to hear him tell stories about all the places he’d been and things that had happened there.  

His home base was Beale Air Force Base in California, but he had to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice, sometimes to be gone a couple of days, sometimes several weeks.  I remember him telling of a time they were sent to Alaska, in the dead of winter.  They had left unexpectedly and were not prepared, ending up without winter clothing!  That’s bad!  But, my dad HATES the cold so for him it was horrible!  

He spent some time in Vietnam, as did most service men of that time, but those are not stories he talks about.  The 60’s were a time of great “turmoil” here at home and sadly our service men were not welcomed home with thanks and appreciation by some.  They did not receive the honor that most from wars past and present have received.  But it didn’t lessen their commitment and character.  

Sharing a Cup with my Favorite Veteran #sharefolgers #ad

Not long ago my dad received this plaque from his church.  It’s hand carved and must have taken many hours.  I’m not sure they will ever completely know how much it touched my dad.  He told my mom and me that since he left the service in 1969, he’d never had anyone do something like that for him.  He is proud to have served his country and I am thankful that even though it’s been almost 50 years, someone took the time to show their appreciation.  

Sharing a Cup with my Favorite Veteran #sharefolgers #ad

This Veteran’s Day take a moment, maybe share a cup with a Veteran, listen to their stories and just say “Thanks!”

Sharing a Cup with my Favorite Veteran #sharefolgers #ad

Who’s your favorite veteran to share a cup and a story with?

 

24 Comments

  • Katherine G

    October 29, 2017 at 10:37 AM

    Thank your dad so much for his service for me please. I love to hear stories about the war. I think they are so interesting.

  • Jaime N.

    October 27, 2017 at 10:17 PM

    This story is so wonderful and touching. A great big thanks to your dad for his service!

  • Anjanette Young

    October 27, 2017 at 4:40 PM

    Please thank your dad for his service to our country. I have always taken care to spend time with Vets because I know when they are ready to share it is important to be there.

  • Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen

    October 27, 2017 at 3:19 PM

    Thank you to your dad for his service for our country. What a wonderful story and coffee…. Folgers is also our coffee here at home.

  • Lori Vachon

    October 27, 2017 at 12:41 PM

    Thank you to your dad for his service for our country. Both my husband and father are Veterans and I hold their service in such high regard.

  • Sarah Bailey

    October 27, 2017 at 7:50 AM

    This is such a lovely story, your father seems like an amazing man and I would love to listen to his stories myself, I wish I had paid more attention to my grandparents stories when they had been alive, so I make sure to listen to my parents.

  • Sandy N Vyjay

    October 27, 2017 at 7:17 AM

    Veterans need to be given all the respect and love due to them. Nice to see you bonding with your dad over a cup of coffee. I am sure he was very pleased.

  • Liz Mays

    October 26, 2017 at 7:47 PM

    I really like that families are always about to share stories like this with each other with coffee. Morning chats over coffee are the best!

  • notjustpaperandpaint

    October 26, 2017 at 7:02 PM

    I’ve seen several post about Folgers and Veterans Day. Folgers is my coffee of choice and my husband is a Veteran. Gotta love and RESPECT those who served.

  • Michele d

    October 26, 2017 at 6:03 PM

    Many blessings to your dad and thank him for his service. So very grateful for the men and women like him who serve our country proudly.

  • Pam Wattenbarger

    October 26, 2017 at 5:46 PM

    My dad was a soldier, and a lot of his relatives were too. A lot of them saw combat. Not all of them liked to talk about it. My dad did love sitting around with a cup of Folgers though.

  • Amber

    October 26, 2017 at 12:54 PM

    I just love this post. Veterans deserve so much respect. My mother is a veteran, and I’m so proud of all she’s done. My husband is currently serving!

  • Lisa Martin

    October 26, 2017 at 12:17 PM

    Folgers is an awesome coffee brand. I’ve also shared a few stories with veterans in my family over a cup of coffee. Great post and thank your favorite veteran for their service for me!

  • marysa

    October 26, 2017 at 10:56 AM

    Folgers is my fave.. I start off every morning by making a cup to take to work with me. Nice that you had some time to sit down and take some time to spend together. So important to remember our veterans and let them know how their service is so greatly appreciated.

  • Janet

    October 26, 2017 at 10:39 AM

    Very touching story. My dad was a veteran and told many stories of his days. Who doesn’t love a great cup of coffee?

  • Kimberly (@momgosomething)

    October 26, 2017 at 10:27 AM

    Oh I love this post so much. It reminds me of spending time with my own grandpa and listening to his stories over coffee as well. He served with the Royal Canadian Navy in WWII. I think it’s so important to listen to them so that we can carry on their stories. Never forget.

    1. Danita

      October 27, 2017 at 7:59 AM

      My grandfather served in WWII as well. That was certainly an incredible generation.

  • 3boysandanoldlady

    October 26, 2017 at 8:27 AM

    Beautiful tribute to your dad and the many veterans who serve. We have several vets in our family – both men and women AND in all branches of service INCLUDING the Coast Guard – and I am grateful for their service and their sacrifice.

    1. Danita

      October 27, 2017 at 7:59 AM

      Thanks!

  • kage2015

    October 26, 2017 at 8:23 AM

    My father-in-law, my husband, my son and my son-in-law have all served or are now serving. All be in the Air Force. We owe much to our service men and women.

    1. Danita

      October 27, 2017 at 7:58 AM

      So true.

  • robin rue

    October 26, 2017 at 7:56 AM

    I think this is wonderful. I am married to a vet and he has many, many stories to tell about the times when he was overseas after 9/11.

    1. Danita

      October 27, 2017 at 7:58 AM

      I’m sure he does! Thank him for his service and for your sacrifice as well. I’m sure it’s not easy being a military wife.

  • Elaine

    October 25, 2017 at 9:43 AM

    Very touching story. So proud and grateful for all the men and women who have served our country, my husband included. By the way, who doesn’t enjoy a good cup of coffee?!!

Comments are closed.

Previous Post Next Post