posted January 06, 2006 09:20 PM
Red: that same thing is exactly what i've seen & experienced 3 times in the last 6 years. My two great-grandmothers, and my grandmother. The family gathering was interesting, and bittersweet.
we swapped stories about them (like my great grandmother, her card-shark skills hadn't declined even as she passed 99, though she was as likely to shake the cards rather thanshuffle ;P ) and reminisced. There were moments of course, the service for my grandmother was very special, my 13 yr old sister wrote an awesome euology for her. You'd have to have been sleeping to have dry eyes in that room after that one was read out. So much to remember, and so much that keeps on afterwards.
Thanks for sharing with us, it is definitely a special group that exists here. It's only parallel is the yzf board i frequent. Other than that i've not seen this kind of group in any forums i have surfed. Possibly the WERA forum, but it's been years.
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posted January 06, 2006 09:44 PM
My condolences RedElk, Peace be with you and your family during this sad time.
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posted January 07, 2006 02:47 AM
Chris, ever since you watched me change your clutch, you've always wanted my cinnamon roll.
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posted January 07, 2006 03:56 AM
Well, the service is now over. Though there wasn't a dry eye in the house and there were probably at least 250+ folks there, it was truly a celebration. The service opened with tunes from Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and other Big Bands.
Then my two sisters spoke, followed by four of my father's friends and colleges. I then read several e-mails and comments in the funeral home's online guest book. After reading the comments of others, I briefly spoke. Like those that spoke before me, there were times of laughter and other of deep reflection..
I was kind of surprised how I was able to remain composed. Then one of my father's best friends spoke and read a pair of brief Bible passages. When he was finished, he sang God Bless America (acapello) and everyone joined in singing with him. Very moving.
This was when things got rough for me.
Two U.S. Army Sergeant Majors walked from the back up to the table and one of them picked up the folded flag and handed it to the other soldier. The first soldier then walked to an open side door, picked up his bugle and stepped outside. The silence, up to this point was a tad uncomfortable.
When the first notes of Taps flowed in through the open door, I started to feel my lip start to quiver. When he finished, he re-entered the room and stood face to face from the other soldier. They unfolded the flag and held it ever so briefly unfurled. Then, with the same flowing precesion, refolded the flag.
I was sitting on the right side of my mother and my son-in-law, in his Army dress uniform, sat on her left. As they were refolding the flag, I almost completely lost it. When they completed the folding (the final tucking always gets me), one of the soldier approached us with the flag. Mother, Lance and I stood.
I can't remember exactly what he said, but basically....
"On behalf of the President of the United States and a grateful nation, our country's flag is presented as a token of appreciation of faithful and honorable service."
He handed the flag to my mother and saluted....
I'm going to bed now
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
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posted January 07, 2006 06:58 AM
Everytime I have read this thread it makes me proud to know most of you guys. It amazes me that underneath the smartassed hooligan exteriors there are some amazingly kind and generous souls here.
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quote: Everytime I have read this thread it makes me proud to know most of you guys. It amazes me that underneath the smartassed hooligan exteriors there are some amazingly kind and generous souls here.
You said that perfect!
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posted January 07, 2006 04:45 PM
quote:You said that perfect!
Thanks Vincent, it's threads like this that keep some hope alive inside of me. It lets you know that there are still some damned good people left on this earth. That gives a guy like me hope, and a little something to smile about. This is a good place to be.
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posted January 08, 2006 12:11 PM
Red, I just got back from California and saw this thread.
I know no words from me can make things better. I also know that there is nothing I can do..........But if there IS anything I can do, you know you only have to ask.
In the meantime, you and your family are in my prayers.
Your father was a true hero. I'm proud to call his son my friend.
Steve
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quote: Everytime I have read this thread it makes me proud to know most of you guys. It amazes me that underneath the smartassed hooligan exteriors there are some amazingly kind and generous souls here.
Well said brother, well said.
My FIL was a veteran, at his funeral they did the same. Choked me up pretty good.
posted January 09, 2006 11:01 AM
Edited By: Outlaw1 on 9 Jan 2006 11:02
Sherman I am here if you need to talk bro, I have the up most respect for WWII veterans and the ones your father were a part of a group of men I hold a very special place in my heart. I have read everything I could get my hands on about D-Day and those very young men that jumped behind enemy lines that faithful night in the dark will forever be heros to me. Each and every one of them.
Sherman you and I are of a fellowship that has allowed you this day and of days past to be clean while with your father and family on this day and I am sure your father was as proud of you as you were of him for you being clean and sober.
I salute your father and pray for you and your family on this day and days to come for god to be with you and to give you all strength and guidance.
Gods will be done, Not our will. Your father has gone home to be with his father. I love you Sherman
Norman
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posted January 09, 2006 02:37 PM
Thanks again for all the best wishes. The have given me great comfort.
Norm, like aliveagain said, one of the best gifts I could give my father while he was alive was my getting into a program of recovery. Since he had already lost his only other son to not taking that first step, I know it would have killed him to lose another one.
Interesting thing about veterans. My grandfather was a Marine in WWI and saw action in the Battle of Belleau Wood. I am not real familiar with this battle, but my nephew, who is a former Marine, says that it is one of the most important battles in all of U.S. Marine history.
While going through some of Dad's stuff, I found a very old, small, leather covered Bible. Written on the second page, my grandfather wrote that he had carried it all through out WWI and he presented it to my father as he was getting shipped out in WWII. Dad carried that Bible all through out WWII. If only that Bible could speak.... oh the stories it could tell.
quote:Red - you speak with heart and compassion, man. We learn compassion or anger from our parents and it seems to me that your parents did very well with the compassion. That is the greatest legacy your Dad could leave behind.
Blitz - My father was a firm, no nonsense kind of guy. As Vincent had said earlier, I too went through my "adversary" stage with him. All the same, I was blessed to enjoy his later years with him and was able to see and feel his compassionate side that he actually always had. A compassion that was both fair and just.
I can only hope that I embrace a fraction of his wonderful characteristics.
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
posted January 11, 2006 10:45 PM
Red, ever the gentleman I would hazard to guess you have done your Dad proud! I am not religous in any way but wish you and your family peace and that at least you managed to see Christmas together.
My Dad is 80 and no doubt I will sooner rather than later have to deal with his passing as life goes on, reading through this thread has really stirred some feelings........think i'll go and visit the old bugger! thanks.
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posted January 14, 2006 05:35 AM
First of I'm terriable sorry. He is in a better place now and he is happy except for the fact he's not with his rest of his family... God Bless
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posted January 15, 2006 03:55 PM
Sherm, I am sorry to hear about your father, I will keep you in thoughts and prayers...along with your family and his friends......
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posted January 16, 2006 05:18 PM
I just printed the out for my mother to read. I know that she will appreciated it.
Thank y'all again for all the well wishes.
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
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