This post is not really about my life with animals…
This post is about my Dad.
He died suddenly in 1989, at 63, much too young, but not before living a magnificent life. He was a brilliant bio-chemist who worked for the US Sub Base, a thoughtful, peaceful, hard-working man, who helped raise 5 successful, thoughtful, hard-working kids… He built the houses that we lived in, he loved to garden and haul rocks…
And though he never talked about it, when he was 18 years old, he was drafted to serve in WWII, ending up in Belgium during the freezing, winter Battle of the Bulge… And was awarded a silver star for bravery in rescuing wounded comrades…
Today we leave on a trip that will include time spent tracing the paths he may have walked in Belgium… This young kid from Indiana… And we hope to honor his service along the way…
Donald Vester Tappan (1943) at age 18 in his high school graduation photo.
Respect the Paw 
Such a lovely tribute to your Dead Isabel. Those brave boys from that war typically didn’t speak of it. My Dad certainly didnt either and i remember his mentioning that when one of his lifelong navy buddies died years ago he found out he had 2 purple hearts. And only because they were placed with him in his final resting place. What a great story to share with your son.