Military Service Photos

Today is Sunday, Jan 4th.
It's been a very long two weeks,
and now we're finally on the
other side of all the arrangements.

My nephew took this photo....
My dad's urn, flag and flowers.
Look close, you can see the
soldiers holding guns, and just
to the right, he is blowing "Taps".
Thanks, Jake, for the fabulous pic!












After the flag was refolded,
he presented it to my Mom,
and then stood and saluted her.

Such an honor to be  part of this.

Family, standing around Dad's
marker in the ground.

Rest in Peace, Dad, rest in peace.

Already Across

This morning, my iChing title came up:   Already Across.

Perfect!

We had Dad's military funeral yesterday at San Joaquin National Cemetery.  It's out in the rolling hills away from freeways and buildings.  It's a beautiful, peaceful place with birds flying overhead, sheep grazing on the hills in the distance.  And there's something about the methodical precision of the military that adds grandeur and grace.  You couldn't ask for a better resting place!

Yep, Dad, you're Already Across!
Love You!!

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.

Dad's Urn

In the traditions of our church,

this rose was on the altar the

Sunday morning after Dad died. 

And here is Dad

It's a beautiful urn

We will have a

Veteran's Service

on Friday.

(shhhhhh, don't tell anyone... but at night, I pat the top and say "Hi Pops!")