Special Thanks

[DJD]

Don,i am very sorry for your loss also.Sounds like he lived a great and proud life.Thats more than a lot of folks can say.Sounds like your dad was one of the few greats.Prayers for all of yours.

John,
Your very kind I appreciate it very much. I think he was the best man I ever knew. Hope things are well with you brother!

[DJD]

I'm also sorry for your loss,only time can heal the pain of losing a loved one,but you will always have the good memories of the time you shared.

Thank you....you hit the nail on the head. I spent alot of time with my dad growing up including going out to sea with him and spending time on Naval ships. We had a great relationship! Gonna miss my hero. Don

[DJD]

Don,

Very sorry to hear about your Dad, but it sounds like you've got the right outlook on things...proud of your Dad's life, glad that his battle is over, and thankful to have had him while you had him. Amen to that.

The military burial is something I will never forget. I held it together like a champ during my Grandfather's funeral. Even as a Pall Bearer when I received his casket out of the back of that big Cadillac, I didn't break. I stood there, with my sunglasses on, biting my lip and fighting it...until the bugler stepped out and the first note hit. Oh man. The one image that I will take to my grave is standing over top of his draped casket, looking straight down, and watching through my sunglasses as one of my big ole tears ran down my face and splashed on the American flag...while those guns went off and that smell of powder filled the air. It makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck just remembering it. It was, without question, the most emotional moment of my life so far...so I know exactly what you mean.

Whew. That's all I have to say about that.

Prayers with you Don...

Thanks Brian, reading that gave me chills. It's a great honor for sure.