Father's Day Letter - Mike
Dear Pa, Happy Father's Day! This year we thought it would be nice to honor George J. Waurzyniak, not only as "Dear Ole Dad" whom we love dearly, but as our Father the Professional. Webster's defines "Professional" as a person having great skill or experience in a particular field or activity. I think we should concentrate on the particular field aspect of the definition. With SEVEN children we can guess the activity you show great skill in!! As children we all took great pride in your profession as a Firefighter. Through the eyes of a child this was an exciting and daring job. Our Dad, battling blazing fires, saving lives, fire engines roaring off into the night and there you were putting your life on the line for others. We were also aware of your service in the Merchant Marine's during World War II. Didn't all of us at one time or another look at your medals and ribbons and wonder what it must have been like out on the open seas defending the United States against her enemies? We knew what you did with the understanding of children, but only as adults have we come to understand just what makes a person a professional.		Duty, responsibility and accountability are all important facets of professionalism. Again I go to the dictionary for some definitions. Duty: A moral obligation. Responsible: Ethically accountable for the care or welfare of another. Accountable: Answerable. Without these traits there can be no professionalism. These attributes are the foundation that the true professional buildsupon. They define how a person acts and reacts in a given circumstance, the basis of choice made with honor, and the qualities of leadership. I remember one evening fishing on the lake. We were just shooting the breeze and enjoying each others company. The topic turned to leadership and management. I was recently promoted to 2nd Class and you told me that soon I would start making some hard decisions. That the higher in rank I went the tougher the decisions would become. We talked of the mission of the Navy and my command. How there would be times when the mission would take on a greater importance than the needs of the individual. How a front line supervisor has to meet both the needs of his boss and the needs of his subordinates. That the successful supervisor is always trying to improve on his leadership and management techniques and regardless of how fancy the equipment or how sophisticated the
Father's Day Letter - Mike
machinery, it is people who make it run. I have never forgotten the insight and wisdom you shared with me that night Pa. Throughout the years I have relied on what you said and have tried to incorporate those ideas into my own leadership and management skills. It has not always been easy. At times I felt like leaving it all behind. When I was out at sea, lonely, heartsick for home and the loving touch of my wife, I would think what the hell am I doing this for? Who really needs this aggravation? But then I would think of the professionalism that you have displayed for us over the years. Working two jobs to give us a safe, happy home and comfortable upbringing. Being there for us, ready to listen, ready to help. Being there for the people of the city of Detroit making personal sacrifices for the benefit of their well being. Responding to your duties. Doing your job to the best of your abilities because your profession was a harsh taskmaster and did not accept anything less. You taught me and all of your children to do what is in front of them, to do it to the best of their capabilities, and to be true to their selves while doing it. That a job is not always done just for the benefit of the individual but it affects the lives of everyone involved.		Dad, it is important that you realize just how fine a role model you have been for your children. Each of us have benefitted from the lessons you have taught us over the years. In the Navy I have been instructed to LEAD BY EXAMPLE. How very fortunate we are to have a father who lives by this creed. In years to come when we look at the shadow box we will see in our minds eye and hold in our hearts the man who taught us duty, responsibility, accountability, and honor. A man we are so very proud to call "Father". All my Love, Mike