Oliver Danielson

1937 - 2014

Today was a very difficult day.  Have you ever been to a military funeral?  Ohh the precision of the men who are honoring... Today is the day we put Dad's urn in the ground at the cemetery.

The corp of Honor Guard included a total 8 men, and while I don't know if there are titles for the positions the men hold, I'll just say there was one "Chief" and seven others.  Our Pastor was there and said a few words, read from the Bible, and we all prayed the Lord's Prayer.  Then the military portion begins with a gun salute, 3 guns fired 3 shots.  It's startling if you've never been to a military funeral.  And then another played Taps.  Such a sad song.  He stood off to the side of our group, and the sound carried and echoed through the hills.  Then the men took the folded flag, unfolded and unfurled it, then refolded it, and the Chief handed it to Mom.  What a sight as he stood and saluted her.

As an entourage, we followed in our cars out to the place to put the urn in the ground.  We stood and watched as the man lowered it into the hole, and placed dirt around it, shoveling, tamping and raking it with care.  When he was done, and placed the marker, we were able to wander over and see the spot, place flowers on the grave.  Our Pastor said a blessing over Dad, and the entire group.

Dad has left his broken earthly body behind.
And we had a day of closure.
It was good to be there together with the family.
We were 15 in all.

Taps

© Pennsylvania Military College

Day is done, gone the sun,

From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;

All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.