This man had a genuine career of service which we all honor. As to the son, although I was never a fan of the music he did or the person he was, he died too young to see what he might have become. Often these people realize later the lessons their parents were living out for them and change as they come to appreciate them more. I’m glad that I’m not what I was at age 27 and that I’ve come to a better understanding of my own Dad’s nearly as long career of military service. Often the sons of career officers are much more rebellious and have a harder time getting past it. I was talking to a buddy of mine last night about that very thing. His Dad was an Air Force officer. We both said we’d grown up thinking that if we weren’t in the military, we weren’t “good enough”.
My father was a career Naval Officer and I understand the shadow cast by their service and sacrifice. It took a few years in service for me to slightly understand the sacrifice. I did not really understand until about my 10th year of Naval service when I got married and had children.
I have seen the dynamic from both perspectives. I was rebellious, but the Lizard King took it to a degree that is hard to grasp. He shamed his father and his name. He was not a man to look up to or idolize. He was a boy for his whole life. Peter frickin’ Pan on acid.