My Dad was an Engineman on the USS PURDY during the Korean War. He kept that ship going while participating in combatant operations in those waters. Later, he proudly became a NYC Fireman,and raised 4 children with his childhood sweetheart as his wife. He was diagnosed with ALS in Dec 2006 at the age of 74.He fought the disease with all he had. He continued to take care of my Mother who had full-blown Alzheimers at this time, until it was absolutely no longer possible for him.That was the ultimate surrender. He passed just 11 mos. after diagnosis. We continue in his memory to work towards a cure.