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Location: Upper Left USA | Yesterday we laid the remains of my Father to rest. In a coffin next to my Mother, with family and friends in what was more of a celebration of his life and a recognition of what he gave to each of us, we said goodbye. During the memorial service we shared stories and pictures and I learned as much as I knew as we shared pictures of his life before I came into the picture.
Dad was in the Army and stationed on Yokosuka until 1949, where they had an extensive Fuel Depot and Shipbuilding complex. This was during the Occupation period and if I read history right, he would have been part of the ground campaign to drive out a very tenacious people imbedded in their homeland, not an easy task. By dropping the Atomic bombs this was prevented and most likely key to my very existance.
My point (oh, right)?
During the memorial I was presented the Flag by the Honor Guard as they played Taps. This ceromony struck me more than I had expected it would. Regardless of his rank, committment, achievement or heroics they paid him an exclusive honor. The same honor given to all who served and to the same haunting and honorable tune.
"All is well, safely rest," |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Very nice Mike, thanks for sharing that! |
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | I'm so sorry. I went through that ceremony when I lost my Dad, and it will get you choked up for sure. The mixture of sadness and pride is almost overwhelming. I'll say and extra prayer for your honorable Dad, and one for you too. |
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Location: Nashville TN. | I am sorry to hear of your lose. |
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Location: Vernon CT | Mike,
My sincere condolences to you and your family. Anyone who serves honorable deserves the respect given your father. He WAS a hero in my book. |
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Location: Marlton, NJ | Mike - I'm so very sorry to hear about your Dad. It sounds like you were able to say goodbye in a very fitting fashion.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. |
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Location: SoCal | Bless you Woodrow. Cry a little for your loss and feel proud and happy for what he gave you. I suspect that that is what he would have wanted.....
Now go build a guitar or sumptin..... |
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Woody,
What a grand and apt honor for your Dad!
Yes, 'Taps' is so simple but oh so moving...
Peace and comfort to you and yours! |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I experience a very simular experience when my dad passed away a year ago. I still sometimes flip open my cell phone to call him. Many of his words of advice that I once took for granted have become very important to me now. If you still have living parents, take time for them as often as you can, and enjoy them while you still can. |
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Location: Budd Lake, NJ | Sorry to hear about your dad, Mike, but glad that he was honored with such an appropriate send-off. Will be praying for you and yours.
(My folks are both gone, but my mom's younger sister and her husband are still here, so I have been seeing them more frequently. That's a timely reminder--remember to ask whatever questions about your oldlies' lives and family history while you can, because you never know when it will be too late...)
--Karen |
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Location: Budd Lake, NJ | Double post.
--Karen |
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Location: East Tennessee | Mike,
I want to add my condolences as well. A Military ceremony can bee a very moving experience and sharing with family and friends some memories can be a special time. |
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Location: SoCal | Mike, my condolences. My Marine Lt.Col. son-in-law just lost his father (a Mustang, 1st Sgt to 2nd Lt., retired as a 1st Lt., Korea to Vietnam) We will have the inturnment at Fort Roscrans (Point Loma, San Diego).
Semper Fi... |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Sorry for your Father's Passing, Mike.
But I am glad to hear that you view the ceremony as a Celebration and Commemoration of his Life. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Thanks to all for your thoughts and comments. I posted in part to share but also to make yet another case for the power of music and it's ability to transcend time, culture and language.
RE: "Now go build a guitar or sumptin..."
Ya, me, my Pygmy kayak project, my cabinet scraper and bunch of memories all enjoyed some theraputic time together.
Now go kiss your kids... |
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Location: Utah | Mike, our deepest sympathies to you and your family. |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Mike, one of my dearest possesions is the flag that draped my fathers casket and was presented to me by my mother as his oldest son. I have it in a shadow box along with the medals he was awarded in WWII and Korea as a Sgt. in the Marine Corps. There is a hidden compartment where I have a cassette tape of his story as told in his own voice...
I am sorry for your loss and yet very glad that you have so much to be proud of your father for. Thanks for sharing. |
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Location: Newington, CT | Beautiful message, beautifully expressed. |
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Location: Newington, CT | Originally posted by MWoody:
Thanks to all for your thoughts and comments. I posted in part to share but also to make yet another case for the power of music and it's ability to transcend time, culture and language.
That was the message I took from it.
It IS such a haunting tune! Just the way to send off a soldier!
I think that anyone, from any culture, hearing Taps would understand the gravity and seriousness of the occasion where it is played.
Even if only to end the day. |
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Location: Seymour, Tennessee | Very touching story, I offer my condolences for your loss.
I am a third generation Marine (2nd generation former Po-Leece).
We had taps played at my Dad's memorial service and when my Grandfather (a 30 year Marine)passed away a few years ago we buried him in our family cometary in Athens, GA. The Marine Corps sent a 20 man detail up for his service, pall bearers, 21 gun salute honor guard, & two buglers. Amazing!
I have had to go to a couple of cops funerals over the years and of course Taps is always played.
Funny how one song can make a crowd of big tough guys stand with tears running down their faces.
Haunting but a fitting tribute to men and women who deserve some honor for what they've done. |
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| Woody, I'm sorry to hear of your father's passing.
Michelle |
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Location: Cicero, NY | Condolences on your loss, Mike. |
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Location: Brisbane Australia | Sincerest condolences Mike
AJ |
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Location: New Hampsha | Mike,
Sincere sympathy on your loss.
Make sure to do what Music Mike did - get a shadow box and keep that flag. My dad's flag was tossed into a closet by his second wife; she eventually gave it to a local VFW so it's lost to the family. I also have the shadow box of my dad's medals - display them proudly anf fondly! |
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OT: Taps, a Connecting Ceremony