John Barker, Jr.
He was a Veteran. Korean War. He served in Germany though I'm not clear on the details. He missed WWII by a year (he was born in 1928). I have a short post up on my site with a picture. You're welcome to steal the picture, link, etc. I think my mom would be thrilled that others noticed his passing.
So, what's so special about John Barker, Jr?
If you clicked the link above, you already now. He was Homefront Six's dad.
A classic citizen. He took time from his life to serve the nation. And spent the rest of it serving his family - and by doing that, getting married, having kids, raising them to be upright citizens in their own right, providing for his family by working, providing for the commonweal by paying taxes, and generally just unobtrusively taking care of business... he and his family formed the warp and woof of the fabric of HFS's life, and the family provided a little square in the quilt that is the American people.
Oh, sure, some squares in the quilt are bigger than others. Some are really flashy and full of bling - but it's the little squares that bind it all together and make the rest possible.
That's why you should know John Barker, Jr. Precisely, in a sense, because you don't. But if you hang around here much, you've seen his work. In the form of Homefront Six. Who commands the homefront, maintaining the family, while MacGyver goes overseas to fight the fight for civilization.
Another square in the quilt.
And while she alone is not the measure of the man - it's good enough for me.
He died back in October, but there was no funeral to tie this to. The family is going to gather together at some point in the future in the mountains he loved, there to scatter his ashes, and say goodbye.
Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam for John Barker Jr, Homefront Six's dad.
I'm sorry to make you cry again, HF6....]]>