Funeral Detail

Today I officiated at a graveside service for a man, Andrew, who lived 94 years.   Although he lived that many years, clearly the most significant event in his life was his service to his country during World War II.

Following the graveside service, there was a military group there to honor his service.  Two of them tended to the folding and unfolding of the flag, which was then presented to the closest relatives.   A third member of this group played taps on the bugle.

The gentleman whose service we attended happened to have served in the U.S. Navy, and therefore, the dress uniform of the Navy veterans was   white from head to toe. They looked very sharp and professional, and felt honored to provide this service for their fellow soldiers.

Both of the sons spoke about their father, and although the father had lived a long and productive life, was a college professor, raised a family, made a positive and productive contribution to his community,  it was his service to his country which was most important to him.

A grandson-in-law had taken Andrew to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., and that  somehow enabled him to find some closure for that time in his life.  The inclination of veterans of that war has always been to feel guilty about being one who survived.   The grandson commented that it was too bad that it took so long to build the WW2 Memorial and recognize the service of that generation.  In fact, by the time it opened in 2004,  many of them would have been long gone.

I think it was Tom Brokaw who called them the "greatest generation".    Two characteristics best describe this generation:   duty and sacrifice.

Thanks to all those past and present who serve this country,  making it a better place than it would be without them!