Question:
Hello Jim, I want to thank you for your time and services that comes with all you do to give back & forward to your active. fellow, Fallon veterans. Thank you! I have deep history in the celebration of memorial day but yesterday is the 2nd I haven't said goodbye to my father. It was tough enough to learn about his death 15 months after his passing when just googling his name. Calling the funeral home who created the posting and them giving me a number to the home where he passed but still in doubt this couldn't be my father. Hearing a hello, I said Hi I was given this number and I believe I'm the daughter of a Vietnam veteran Wayne. I could say no more because she screamed out my name and I bursted into tears. We spoke close to a hour then I was given the number to his VA worker I guess. In calling her it was the same as the call before with my name being called out before I could say it. Her and I spoke a little over a 1/2 hour with her saying how she tried finding me, is all he wanted, how she was happy to put a voice with the name he spoke so much about. Then with my next question I'm left speechless, listening to a dail tone. I ask why was cremated and how can I receive his remains to have him buried with the rights he has earned. Quickly she said she could no longer speak with me and I should get a attorney because he not om my birth certificate then she hung up. I tried calling the other lady back about a hour later to let her know I hadn't received the documents she said my father wrote out to me and my uncle but her never answering my call again also. I don't know where to start and since I don't have all the required info during his time of service I can't get any help within the VA. Do you have any advice, referrals something to help me bring my father home to respectfully & properly say what's needed. Thank for you time.
Jim's Reply:
I'm sorry for your loss. However, it sounds as if you weren't there when he passed and only realized that happened by accident. Now you're making demands and have expectations that you have a right to something I'm not at all sure you should be involved with. The best advice I can offer is that you should respect his memory and leave the rest alone.