When Bill Coates of Lawrenceville turned 74 in 2005, his four sons decided to get matching tattoos as a birthday present to honor him. There was a sense of urgency too: they had just learned their father's medical treatments had failed to stop his cancer so they wanted him to see the tattoos before his health declined.
Steve, Scott, Joe and Michael Coates chose a design that was special to their father and would give them something to remember him by. Each got a tattoo of the official 82nd Airborne Division insignia on their upper left arm. The tattoos feature the division's wings and parachute design and the phrase "In honor of Dad" was added.
Bill was a proud member of the Airborne when he served in Japan during the Korean War, son Michael, 27, of Tioga, Pa. said. Bill liked to tell his sons stories about his jumps, how he earned his wings and other adventures he encountered, said Michael.
The four brothers got their tattoos at Carl Hesse's World Famous Route 6 Tattoos in Blossburg, Pa. Two of the brothers, Steve and Scott, followed in their father's footsteps and served in the military. Michael said he was the only one with a previous tattoo.
They gathered at their father's home on his birthday, and snuck into the kitchen to remove their long-sleeve shirts. Michael said they then walked back into the front room where their father was, and gathered around him to show him the tattoos.
"I don't really ever remember my dad being speechless before, but he was this time. He just kind of looked around at us and shook his head in disbelief. It was a total shock and surprise. I have to believe it was the best present we had ever given him," Michael said.
Their father passed away just a month after that birthday gathering. However, the Coates brothers can still remember their dad and that special day whenever they glance at their arms.
"It's nice to be able to look at my shoulder and remember that day and still see the look on his face," Michael sai
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