Papaw's Funeral

Today Papaw body was taken to its final resting place. I have never been to a funeral where the Honor Guard was present.
The pallbearers were members of the Honor Guard. They carried Papaw's flag covered casket to the grave site.
One man stood off to the side and saluted as the casket passed by him.Once the casket was place at the site the Honor Guard started the folding of the flag. This is an exciting thing to see. We watched closely as they carefully folded the flag with great precision. After the flag was folded a man played Taps on a bugle and at this point everyone lost it. The song was just so beautiful and so final. At some point there was a nine gun solute. I know this because there was a collective startled jump throughout the crowd. The flag was then presented to Mamaw. The Honor Guard was then finished with their ceremony and left.
Uncle Randy got up and did a beautiful and very moving Eulogy. It was a story of his Dad. A great story of a honorable and very loving man. Miranda got up and read a poem that Mamaw had written about herself and Papaw. We sang two hymns: In the Garden and How Great Thou Art. We prayed and then headed to Mamaw's house to fellowship with the family more.
After everyone had left the cemetery Lyle, Etna, Evan, and I placed roses on Papaw's casket. Etna had picked the roses off of roses bushes in her yard that are dedicated to Barry and Patty.




Back at the house we ate, drank (tea, water, lemonade, and soda), and were merry. We talked and told stories. I meet several people I had never met before. It was a very good day, in spite of the circumstances. I was able to meet Evan's Uncle Bob. I have heard stories of Uncle Bob since I met Evan. I have wanted for some time to be able to go to South Carolina to see Uncle Bob and Aunt Sandy but things haven't worked out that way. I was so excited to meet the Uncle that has been described to me as the one that most resembles Barry(looks, mannerisms, and personality). I never had the privilege to meet Barry but if he was anything like any of his brothers I would have fallen in love with him too.
Uncle Bob