Special Thanks

[DJD]

Just wanted to say thanks for all the thoughts and prayers that you fine folks have given me and my family.

We buried Dad Thursday in Georgia and while it was sad it was also a time to be thankful to have had such a wonderful loving dad. His long battle is over and for that we are all thankful. He never complained and from what the Doctors said it's typical of an old Navy Master Chief....I mean he could hardly move without being out of breath but if you asked him how he was doing he would smile and say he was fine.

The Military funeral was unbelievable. These young men showed the utmost courtesy and professionalism. The service was perfect, the drill and ceremony (stepping in unison and following commands) was spot on.

We had the 21 gun salute and the playing of taps. We had soldiers from the Army and sailors from the Navy and let me tell you when the Navy Master Chief bent over to present the folded flag to my mom I lost it. He said the most wonderful things on behalf of this country and I felt so proud of my dad. Proud to be the son of a man who gave 30 years to the Navy, proud to be an American, proud to have served myself and proud of our young men and women who serve now. Still gets me misty eyed thinking of it.

We ate dinner with these men and I talked with a few and shook their hands while thanking them. I can't say enough of how proud I am to be an American after seeing these great examples. God Bless us all!

[mhall]

Don I am sorry to hear of this great loss. Your post brought a tear to my eye but also a very positive feeling about your loss as well. He sounds like he was one hell of a guy and a true American. Sounds like he was a good husband and a great father as well. When great individuals leave this world in body that is all as thier memories in the hearts and minds that loved them will live forever, that is the measure of the true wealth of life.

[roadrunner]

Don I agree 100% with Mhall even the tears in the eyes. I am still praying and will keep you and your family in my thoughts.

[Tim_T]

Sorry for your loss Don, this world needs more people like your father.

[DJD]

That whole generation amazes me. Thanks!

[Chubminnow]

That whole generation amazes me. Thanks!

You ain't kiddin' there bro'...mine and your dad were probably about the same age I'm guessin' (my dad turns 84 this friday). Dad went into the navy at age 16 actually...he told me they (the U.S. Navy) eventually caught up with him about his age but by the time they did he had already been in for seven or eight months and they weren't about to turn the ship around...they let him know via a letter. After they knew and after he knew they knew, he told me nothing more was said, it was just business as usual.

Yep, like you say, one heck of an amazing generation!

[apb]

Sorry to hear about your dad. Sounds like the military burial was well deserved and a fitting way to say goodbye.

Andrew

[DJD]

Sorry to hear about your dad. Sounds like the military burial was well deserved and a fitting way to say goodbye.

Andrew

Thanks Andrew, we all felt the same way. Our last few years have been tough...seeing a strong healthy man go down hill is rough. His mind stayed pretty sharp and he cracked jokes until the very end. Thanks again.

[bassin_bug]

I'm sincerely sorry your Dad had to go but you will see him again. He gave you enough great memories to last a lifetime and, in a short while, you will begin to recall those needed to strengthen you and walk you out of your grief. In the middle of night, as you lie in the silence and darkness, he will visit you in memories that will make you smile. I have finally reached that place and it's such a relief when my mom and both brothers visit me through memories. I was so traumatized over their deaths, so close together, I felt as if I would never stop crying but I'm now much better and can laugh again.

It sounds like his funeral was one that was well deserved and filled with honor befitting that great man.

I remember my brother's military funeral (KIA Iraq) conducted by the Air Force. I can still hear the perfect rhythm of the Airmen's steps as they carried his flag draped casket down the aisle, placed it on the bier, turned in unison, and marched to the pew. It sounded the same as they bore it to the grave and ever so gently placed it at his final resting place. As they played Taps (at high noon) it was as if the sound of the bugle reached to the heavens. The 21-gun salute was performed to perfection with the smell of gunpowder drifting through the air. When the flag was removed from the casket, they stood to my right and folded it; that was done with such care and precision I can still see those hands as they moved, making each fold perfect and not a ripple on the final tuck.

I had to attend the funeral alone without my husband because his heart had suddenly dropped him and he was unable to travel. I don't know if, or how they knew, but when the funeral was over I heard the Commander say something. I started to walk away from the graveside and he reached out, took my hand and pulled me into his arms and the other eleven Airmen came and encircled me in one great big hug. They will never know much their compassion meant. They each shared special moments they had with my brother and one was crying. He said that he would have committed suicide in Iraq but my brother forced him into treatment after an IED killed everyone in his vehicle but him.

I never see a person in military uniform that I don't stop them and say, "Thanks for serving." If I get the chance I pick up the restaurant tab for their meal. It's the least I can do after they have given so much.

[DJD]

Thanks for the support. Sounds like you have been through some tough times as well.

The night my dad passed I had the most vivid dream/encounter with him that left me feeling at peace. I relive that last conversation everyday..God Bless you Mrs. Bassin Bug.

[Chubminnow]

Don - Sorry to hear about you and your family's loss. My dad was in the Navy too.

Ditto here on what Tim and Mhall wrote.

[MrSplitshot]

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...