Military Funeral

[Bird]

Off topic, but no fun.

Our youngest daughter has been going to visit some old friends of ours and doing their income tax return for them each year, and she did that Saturday morning. Sunday was her birthday, so my wife went up there, also, to meet her and the three women went out to lunch together. The husband told them to "have fun" and he stayed home. They returned about an hour and a half later to find him dead from a heart attack in his recliner (he had been in bad health for several years).

Since he was retired Army (27 years), the funeral was yesterday at the new Dallas/Ft. Worth National Cemetery with full military honors. That was the first time I've been to a military funeral (and the first time I'd been out to see that new national cemetery), and I can tell you that you would be proud of those young soldiers (from all branches of the military). Very impressive.

 

[MarkV]

Bird—I am so sorry about your friend. It had to be a tough day for your wife and daughter.

MarkV

 

[Thomas]

Thats a shame another good person has left todays world..hope all members and friends are doing okay.

We went to Arlington for my better half mother funeral last October,and that indeed a sight to be hold.
If anyone gets a chance do visit,for there lot hopes and dreams and what the USA stands for.

 

[njrqs]

Yes they seem to treat all military funerals with utmost respect and so they should. If someone is prepared to fight for their country, they make the highest sacrifice.

 

[Harv]

Really sorry to hear when someone passes away, Bird. It's especially hard on those left behind.

Sounds like he got a good sendoff and an honorable place among honorable souls to rest in peace. I hope that brings at least some solace to his family.

 

[Bird]

<font color=blue>had to be a tough day for your wife and daughter</font color=blue>

Yep, Mark. His wife's a fine lady, but I'm afraid she was a basket case. My wife and daughter got him into the floor and my daughter did CPR on him until the paramedics arrived, but to no avail. He had apparently been dead for an hour or more. They no longer have any relatives in the area, so my wife and daughter stayed with her Saturday night until their daughter flew in from Florida the next day.

 

[Devildog]

Bird, My heart felt wishes to you all and the family. Jim

 

[markinMn]

Bird, Our condolences and a moment of silence for our fellow veteran. I've been to several military funerals and have never felt so forlorn.................. yet so proud, of our lost brethren..................mark

 

[Bayrat]

<font color=blue>Amen..

 

[jhburke]

Bird
When I was driving a limo, the saddest funeral I was at was for a man who was in the Bataan Death March. At the funeral was 2 relatives. The rifle honor guard had to be pall bearers. Sad

 

[jasonf]

My thoughts go out to you and his family. That generation never wanted a war, yet put their lives on hold so that the rest of us could live free. They asked for nothing in return when they came home. Just wanted to start up their lives and go about raising families and making this country better. They didn't even want to have a memorial. That generation was indeed the greatest and there will never be another like them..........

 

[ewoss3]

Bird, sorry to hear of your loss

 

[frank_f15]

BIRD: SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE LOSS OF YOUR FRIEND. OLD FREINDS ARE HARD TO REPLACE(actually they can never be replaced) but they can be RENEWED WITH NEW FRIENDS. BUT NEVER FORGET THE OLD!. i don;t say these things well but i hopeu get my meaning/w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif

 

[dmccarty]

Bird,

I'm very sorry to hear about your friend. At least your family was there
to help out the wife. That made a big difference.

I responded to a call one night that sounded very similar. The man had
taken a nap in his Lazy Boy while the wife puttered around the house. She
check on him after awhile and he had died. I can think of far worse ways of
dying. I would much rather go out in my Lazy Boy, if I had one, than spending
days dying in the hospital.....

Some blessing I suppose...

FYI, apparently there is a shortage of buglers nowadays to perform
at funerals. Just not enough trained people and unfortunately the
WWII generation is leaving us at an increasing rate.... /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif
Many don't get a bugler just a recording.

Later,
Dan

 

[Bird]

<font color=blue>Many don't get a bugler just a recording</font color=blue>

Yep, Dan, I'd heard about that shortage of buglers, too, and I guess it's true. In this case, it was a very impressive ceremony with the honor guard, all branches of the service represented, 21 gun salute, etc., but Taps was a recording instead of a live bugler.

 

[blurrybill]

Dan/Bird,

Bird, I'm genuinely sorry to hear about the death of your friend. Glad though that he was honored with a military funeral. Dan, your comment about a lack of buglers concerned me, especially with the obvious need now with increasing deaths of WWII veterans. While in high school I played taps for many WWI era veterans' graveside services. Was picked up at school by the American Legion or VFW color guards and dropped off again after the funeral. High school trumpeters could certainly be part of these important events --spread the word that many would be available. It would also allow some youngsters to demonstrate respect for those who served their country. I had no idea of this shortage, but veterans deserve more than a recording. Anyone interested could just give a call to the local band director for names of kids that would be willing to participate.

Again, Bird, sorry for your loss. I'm sure your friend's widow will long-appreciate the help from you and your family.

Bill