‘My Dad, My Hero’
That’s how Evelyn Pawliw, 11, started the letter she wrote to the Hawkesbury Gazette about her dad John who retired this year after 43 years with the RAAF.
Evelyn felt compelled to write the letter to the Gazette as she was proud of everything her dad had achieved for his country during his long career.
“When dad was on duty once I asked the postman to send me overseas to daddy,” Evelyn said.
“I’m proud of everything he has done.”
My Pawliw retired from the RAAF in March this year, and has taken up a training role since, teaching other officers how to do his job.
“I was a load master so we would deploy troops into the field and resupply them,” he said.
In his 43-year career Mr Pawliw completed 10 deployments, which sometimes lasted up to six months, including tours to Afghanistan and the gulf war.
He said while it’s nice to be home for Evelyn, his 12 year old son Ritchie and wife Kathy, he does miss his mates in the air force.
“I miss the camaraderie more than anything,” he said.
“When you’re home you look after your family, when you’re away you look after your mates.”
Mrs Pawliw said it has been a shock to the routine of the household having John home more, but said it has been nice to have him back for special occasions.
“When he was away he would miss a lot of milestones, and the kids would spend a lot of time sitting in front of the computer waiting for him to call … it’s nice to have him home to attend things like school assemblies.”
Mrs Pawliw said while she knew how much both Evelyn and Ritchie loved and were proud of their dad, she thought it was nice that Evelyn sent a letter to the gazette off her own back.
“She was very excited. After she sent it she would want to go back in the office to see if the staff had received it every time we were in town.”
The Pawliw’s said they look forward to spending lots of family time together.
