This morning just before sunrise. My Grandfather, Anthony P. Hafen, passed away. After complications from surgery, it was his wish to not return if he wouldn't be whole and independent.
My mother's Dad, from whom I inherited the lion share of my firearm affections, and afflictions. The man who took me shooting and fishing as a boy, and made hanging around with Grandpa one of the funnest things I ever did. My brothers and I always looked forward to going to Grandpa's house, there was always something fun and semi-educational to do there.
Grandpa was extremely proud to have served our country with the 213th FAB Utah Army National Guard, he spent two years in Korea "mostly killing Korean's" as he put it, shooting the 155mm and driving 105's. He was very active in reunions and keeping track of his fellow veterans. His love for artillery, guns, shootings things, and blowing shit into the sky was contagious. After his military service, he also was a LEO with the Utah Highway patrol. And later still (when I was a child) he had his own construction/demolition company, where he put his experience with explosives to good use. I remember many times going to watch Grandpa blow something up.
Always an outdoors man, he never seemed as happy as when we were afield or afloat. Even as age took its toll on him, he continued to push himself to come hunting with the rest of us. Just a short two months ago, we were 80 miles from here in some of the most beautiful country there is chasing Elk together. I felt a heavy sorrowful pain in my heart when he announced that he was leaving camp that day, tag unfilled. I feared deep down inside that it would be one of, if not the last hunt for him. Turns out my fears were well founded.
I was pleased to find out today that he will be buried in a military plot with the typical military burial service, and salute. My uncle, Grandpa's youngest son, will be returning from A-stan this weekend for the funeral.
The knowledge that we will be together again someday, keeps us smiling inside while our faces show otherwise. I am proud to have come from such a man, while imperfect in many ways, he was still a good man, and a great Patriot, and my Grandpa.
My mother's Dad, from whom I inherited the lion share of my firearm affections, and afflictions. The man who took me shooting and fishing as a boy, and made hanging around with Grandpa one of the funnest things I ever did. My brothers and I always looked forward to going to Grandpa's house, there was always something fun and semi-educational to do there.
Grandpa was extremely proud to have served our country with the 213th FAB Utah Army National Guard, he spent two years in Korea "mostly killing Korean's" as he put it, shooting the 155mm and driving 105's. He was very active in reunions and keeping track of his fellow veterans. His love for artillery, guns, shootings things, and blowing shit into the sky was contagious. After his military service, he also was a LEO with the Utah Highway patrol. And later still (when I was a child) he had his own construction/demolition company, where he put his experience with explosives to good use. I remember many times going to watch Grandpa blow something up.
Always an outdoors man, he never seemed as happy as when we were afield or afloat. Even as age took its toll on him, he continued to push himself to come hunting with the rest of us. Just a short two months ago, we were 80 miles from here in some of the most beautiful country there is chasing Elk together. I felt a heavy sorrowful pain in my heart when he announced that he was leaving camp that day, tag unfilled. I feared deep down inside that it would be one of, if not the last hunt for him. Turns out my fears were well founded.
I was pleased to find out today that he will be buried in a military plot with the typical military burial service, and salute. My uncle, Grandpa's youngest son, will be returning from A-stan this weekend for the funeral.
The knowledge that we will be together again someday, keeps us smiling inside while our faces show otherwise. I am proud to have come from such a man, while imperfect in many ways, he was still a good man, and a great Patriot, and my Grandpa.
