Ernest Peter Bazzini

The following obituary was in the Reno Gazette-Journal newspaper:
 
Ernest Peter Bazzini, 90, of Reno, passed away November 25, 2011.  He was born June 4, 1921 in Wadsworth, NV to Severino and Maria Bazzini.  Ernie served in the United (States) Air Force during WWII, Korean Conflict, and Vietnam wars.  He continued his military career with the Air National Guard for 36 years, retiring in 1980 as Senior Master Sergeant.
 
His entire obituary can be found at:
 
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/rgj/obituary.aspx?n=ernest-peter-bazzini&pid=154811020
 
We have lost another hero.
 

We lose more with each passing day.  Not only are these men and women true heroes, but they also have a wealth of experience to share with following generations.
 
I feel a sense of urgency sometimes, in working to gather as much information as possible before these experiences and memories are forgotten and faded.  Having only discovered this forum less than a year ago, and becoming consumed with researching past history, I can't help feeling that I have arrived "late to the party" and most of the guests have departed long since.
 
How I wish I had paid more attention to those stories that I heard while growing up -- bits and pieces of the short career of an American airman, an uncle whom I never knew, who fought and died long before I was born -- who helped shape the world in which I now live.  And I have so much to thank these men and women for, while each day there are fewer and fewer of them to thank.
 
To all:  I thank you for your service.  And I will never forget you.  You will live on in my memory and the memories of all who honor you.