European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 19, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A Day and visions of a Good Soldier on dads Darby Viva Hathaway Ith fathers Day Here our thoughts Are usually drawn to the special times we have shared and Hope to share with our dads. When i was a child these special times included the treats extra privileges and family outings when i saw my father As an extraordinary part of our life. In adulthood i looked Forward to sharing new experiences with him. One new experience we were eagerly anticipating was observing the events at Normandy Coati Demorat ing the 50th anniversary of a Day. My father participated in the invasion All those years ago. But this year changed our Hopes. My father Jay Smith died feb. 13 from cancer. On this fathers Day my thoughts arc of the invaluable legacy of Loving memories left by father. The discussions of a Day heighten these  father was a True Soldier even from a Young age a child of the depression my dad had to fight for survival As a Young adolescent 1 can still remember the vivid stories of his sleeping in Box cars in freezing Winter weather wondering about where he would get his next meal. He managed to make it through those Young teen age years. When world War ii started he signed up to do fend the country that he loved. He was assigned to 787lh tank in 16th Armor div Landing in France 50 years ago he pushed through Europe with fat tones 3rd army. These events left an indelible imprint on him. Send in your column plus photo of yourself to to our guest sunday Magazine the stars and stripes Apo 09211 or Postrach 11 14 37, d-64278 Darmstadt Germany opening laugh of Angelis Rome. Italy a dad with heart Scott Sunquist. Courtesy Viva Hathaway Viva Hathaway with her late father Jay Smith. Some memories he shared such As liberating Dachau. Other memories he kept to himself. He fought to protect my Freedom even before i was bom. My children listened devoutly As he shared War stories and dealt with such questions As Quot were you shot Quot and a did you Sec people die Quot he fought through two More wars Korea amp Vietnam to ensure that my family and other americans had the opportunities he valued. With 13 grandchildren who loved him he realized his american dream. He Wafi and still is our hero he was a devoted father who always put the family first. This was not just a cliche but a reality with him. Growing up a a military child meant frequent moves for me. This created Many challenges making new friends adjusting to Tiew surroundings and customs. All of this could be very overwhelming. Dad however was always there doing everything he could to make life the Best for us. He did his Job Well. He was concerned about our interests and goats. Even if it meant driving 200 Miles to return us to our old school to Complete a 4-h activity he seemed to enjoy this. The d Day commemoration reminds me daily of a Man who was so shaped by these events. As the More recent a cd Day of feb. 13, when my father died is still fresh in my mind i can remember with the strongest sense of Pride a Man whose sacrifices taught me about life. Lying Home to Chicago from Europe for my fathers funeral i jotted Down notes on my feelings for dad. When i arrived my brother asked if i wished to give the Eulo. By which i did. Here it is dad died this week. We knew he was sick. We knew it was coming. Still dad died this week. I remember last summer when my brother called to say dad had a heart attack. The doctors had Given up Hope and he wanted me to come soon. My Young daughter Drew a card for grandpa for me to take along. She asked a simple question. Quot what is grandpas favorite color a i did no to know All those years All our conversations since childhood and i did no to know my fathers favorite color that a when it hit me How Little i really knew about dad True he did no to talk much. And it was a family joke that he went deaf whenever he read the newspaper. But i never asked Many questions either. He was there that a what counted for me As a child and As an adult. But who was he fortunately dad did no to die then. He came Back in spite of the limits of Modem Medicine. It gave me time to think remember and ask. He never really listened to music at Home but he bad originally come to Chicago from Nebraska because of hearing the big bands on the radio. I guess in his own Way he was a party animal. As kids we could hear him whistle for us to come for lunch a City Block away. He preferred Oldsmobile because he thought they were More innovative. Golf How could i forget Golf he liked Hawaii and wanted to return but he made me Happy once by saying his Best vacation was in France with my family. It fulfilled his wish to visit Versailles take in a show at the Moulin Rouge and had the added touch of lunch on the Eiffel Tower. Even with All that i had Only barely skimmed the surface of his 76 years. Now i like to think that All he has done is to rejoin his mom and his dad. By the Way his favorite color was Maroon. Viva Hathaway works in Kaiserslautern off Witny. Scott us Oquist works of shape  from the cover. 4-8 the Day for dads. Sidelights. 9 Clarence Page on the fall of Black shows. Odds amp ends. 10 Erma Bombick lists father s Day advice. In tune11 Billy Crystal is Slick again. This weeks films 12-13 military circuit listings. Chuck Vinch on Quot City slickers  television listings 14-17 local Cable and satellite schedules. Home entertainment .18-19 much More Quot dances with Fawi  basketball and Playboy. Voices. 20-21 77 e wealing Patti Davis. Joe Bob Briggs hardly dreamy. A Speed .22-23 Kunu Reeves and his director. Words wit. 24 James Kilpatrick on language debates. Books �?.-------25. Woodward checks out the Clinton White House. What a in .26 chewing on Quot reality  on Parade. 27 what s happening with Ken Wahl. Last laugh. 28 Dave Barry cracks Down on crime. Sunday is a weekly supplement of the stars and stripes editor Bucky Fox Caver Story design Peter Jaeger production Bernard Jensen editorial assistance Louis d. Pierce sunday june 19, 1994