Michael Welan Obituary

Loving A Sailor
Loving a Sailor is not always the way,
Loving him truly is a high price to pay.
Its being alone with nothing to hold,
its being young but feeling so old,
Its having him whisper his love for you,
its whispering back you love him 86 plus two.
There comes a kiss and a promise of more
as his ship slowly glides away from the shore.
Reluctantly, painfully, letting him go, \
while you're dying inside for wanting him so.
Watching him leave with eyes full of tears,
standing alone with your hopes, dreams and fears.
Its sending a letter with the stamp upside down
to your far-away love in a far-away town.
Its going to church to kneel and to pray,
and really meaning the things that you say.
Being in love will foster your dreams
of that far-away sailor your mind fairly beams.
Days go by, no mail for a spell,
you wait for some words to hear that he's well.
Then a letter arrives and you're given in,
to open his letter and smile with a grin.
Yes, he is well and misses you so,
and is filled with the love you want to know.
Weeks are like months and months are like years,
you wait for the day when you'll have no more fears.
Days go by slowly, how many have passed?
Then suddenly you realize its here at last!
Yes, loving a sailor brings bitterness and fears,
loneliness and sadness and despondent years.
Loving a Sailor isn't much fun
but its worth the price when the battle is won.
And remember he's thinking of you every day,
he's sad and he's lonely while so far away.
So love him and miss him and hold your head high,
Be strong and have faith, wipe that tear from your eye.
Your man's a seafarer, like that old ancient trader,
It's a high price you pay for loving a Sailor.
written by
Captain 'O.W.' Wright, USN

So others can share your memory dad.
Love Jason

Dear dad. I miss you very much.I remember you taking us to The Isle of Palms to go crabbing.Something I'll never forget.I miss that infectious laugh.I miss those massive bear hugs .I remember when I gave mom the car she said "Oh it's blue,my favorite color" The next day as we were checking it out I said "I diden't know blue was moms favorite color" You said laughing through every word "It is now" I loved it and I love you.

When you became my Dad, the word "step" never entered into the equation. You were my Dad in every sense of the title. I was always in awe of your quiet, soft spoken ways. Always in control,you never let anything get the best of you. You were my inspiration to get me through my school years. I wanted to be as smart as my Dad! It was you who gave me my love for reading and thirst for knowledge. My summers with you and Mom were amazing. I miss you both very much. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you. Thank you for being my Dad.

Jason, I'm sorry for your loss ... Mike was always good to me and I remember his laugh and his wit...I will miss him and carmen..I always called her mom and she knew I loved her...

Jason, I learned today of your dad's passing, and I reviewed your lovely tribute site to your father. I last spent time with your dad at a USS Chopper reunion in 2001 in Kings Bay GA. We served together in 1962.

Your dad was well liked and always easy going. We affectionately called him "Turbo" because of his slow and deliberate ways of moving, but he was good at his job and decisive when it was needed.

I've notified the other Chopper crew I am in contact with of his passing. We have a Assoc Website at http://www.decklog.com/ss-342.asp where your Dad's career is recorded and several pictures are to be found.

I served on the USS Lafayette SSBN 616 with Mike. He was a very good and friendly shipmate. We made many patrols together and enjoyed the very challenging qualification program during the long times away from our families.

Mike was always busy.

I'll miss him.
Fair Seas, Shipmate

Eternal Father, strong to save,

Who's arm has bound the restless wave.

Who bids the mighty ocean deep,

It's own appointed limits keep.

Dear Lord, we lift our prayer to Thee

For those in peril on the sea.



Lord God, our power ever more,

Whose arm doth reach the ocean floor,

Divine with our men beneath the sea;

Traverse the depths protectively.

O hear us when we pray and keep,

Them safe from peril in the deep.



Lord, guard and guide the men who man

The submarines that guard our land.

Be with them always night and day,

In quiet depths or roaring spray.

O hear us when we cry to Thee,

For those in peril on the sea.



Bless those who serve beneath the deep,

Through lonely hours their vigil keep.

May peace their mission ever be,

Protect each one, we ask of Thee.

Bless those at home who wait and pray

For their return by night and day.

This is a wonderful tribute for a gentle, soft-spoken man. Scott & I enjoyed knowing Mike and were thrilled when he attended our wedding some years ago. May God keep you safe in his arms.

my dad was very much an enigma to me most of my life.it was not until the twilight years of his life,after the passing of my mother,that grief began to build a bridge between us.sadly,construction of that bridge was halted by the unexpected.

You were such a gentle man..soft spoken, deeply caring of your family..just a really great guy to know. I will pass on the news of your going home to others you and I knew in common. God welcomed you home, and those of us here..will miss you. God speed good friend.

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2007
http://www.ruthann1.com

I am blessed to have known and worked with Mike.
He brought joy and expertise to our work here at E-Z Tax Service.

I always enjoyed his friendship and humor.
I pray that now he is with Carmen in heaven and that the family can rejoice in their salvation.

Michael we had grown apart over the years, butt bothn you and Carmen remain in my fondest memories.

I miss grandpa very much. No matter what I needed to know Grandpa always knew the answer. I know that Grandma is excited to have him with her. They are both missed.

Love Always

My first memories of dad were how tall he was. To me he was a tower. Later on I often wondered how he got around on the sub without bumping his head all the time.
I will miss him.

http://www.mikewelan.com