Comments on: Stand straight

By: Tim G

Tim G — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 17:20:21 +0000

Great post. I have done a few of these over the years and your depiction of this brought tears to my eyes as I remembered with you.
Odd how things such as this put life into focus for us!

By: Art Rogers

Art Rogers — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 14:57:05 +0000

Powerful thoughts and memories all.

Fog – That was particularly moving. I feel similarly compelled.

Marty – They did a three shot volley, but from only three rifles, so is that a 9 gun salute? Anyway, it was LOUD.

By: Marty Duren

Marty Duren — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 09:36:17 +0000

Did they do the 21-gun salute? That always scares me to death no matter how I prepare.

And, now that you’ve seen an honor guard fold the flag, you’ll always become tediously frustrated when you have to watch some well meaning funeral director and assistant fold one into an overstuffed paper football.

By: bloginafogpastor

bloginafogpastor — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 17:40:21 +0000

I echo the above comments and add this. I recently did a funeral for a WW2 veteran who was shot at the Battle of the Bulge and forced to march 10 miles to a hospital. I was moved by the story of his life but also saddened by the realization that this man was probably not a believer. While we often do not know the heart of those we bury, it spurred me to the determination that I must renew my efforts to witness to the men and women of these generations. They went above and beyond for my freedom; I should go above and beyond for their eternal freedom.

By: Gary Snowden

Gary Snowden — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 15:42:52 +0000

As associate pastor of our church with responsibilities for senior adult ministry, I have had the privilege of conducting many funerals for WWII and Korean Conflict veterans where there was a military honor guard of either former or current servicemen and women. Like you, on practically every occasion I’ve found myself wiping away tears at one point or another during the ceremony. Sometimes it’s when a bugler plays the plaintive notes of “Taps.” Other times it has been when the honor guard fires the three volleys from their rifles. Most often though it has been when the head of the detail does as you have described, kneeling before the widow and delivering a crisply folded American flag with the words of thanks for that person’s service. I never cease to be moved by the sacrifices that the Builder Generation made for our country. Thanks for sharing your experience.

By: cb scott

cb scott — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 11:30:47 +0000

My wife’s father fought in “The Forgotten War.” He says little about it other than it was cold. He was shot on two occasions. He has medals, but no one can “find” them. He came home, went to work, became a Christian and brought up his family. He has been faithful to his Lord, his family, his nation and his work.

You, I and other brothers are now doing the funerals of those guys. Soon they will be gone. I do pray that their faithfulness is not “forgotten” along with the war they fought. I do pray that our generations, and those that follow, will “catch” their faithfulness and pass it on for the sake of our faith, families, nation and all the world.

May we all, when we hear those bagpipes, remember faithful men.

By: Paul Burleson

Paul Burleson — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 11:16:15 +0000

Art,

You have brought back many memories for me as I read of the funeral since I’ve done many over my years of ministry. There has always been something about a military funeral service that strikes the cord of patriotism and appreciation in me for those who serve in our military. I THINK I’m learning to live with a proper perspective of my citizenship here and there and not mix the two, or worse, confuse the two as being the same thing. I’m proud of my country and those who serve to keep her free but realize every person of every nation needs the message of our Christ unencumbered with a particular nationalism baggage. That’s our job and we will do it. But may we never loose what you’ve shared as your experience for people like Lonnie and the reminders that come with his death.

By the way, I’m one of those, regardless of the number, that check, read and am blessed daily by your blog. Thanks for it.