Saying Goodbye

It has been a while since I have had the chance to post anything, as the past few weeks have been hectic. My Grandpa died at the age of 88 on Saturday - May 23rd, 2009. The previous few weeks were spent helping my Mom and Aunt take care of him every chance my sister and I were able, while our husband's took care of the kids. I could go into detail about all that went on, but it is better left in the past.

Today was the funeral, our time to say goodbye. Grandpa served in the Army and fought in WWII, and so we had a Military Funeral Honors for him. As we left the church and approached the cemetery chapel two honor guards were standing at the door, waiting our arrival. Grandpa's casket was draped with the American flag - a United States flag drapes the casket of deceased Servicemembers and Veterans to honor their service to America. The flag is placed so that the blue field with stars is at the head and over the left shoulder of the deceased. As the pallbearers (of which Evan was one of them) carried the casket into the chapel, the honor guards saluted the flag. Once the Deacon from the church completed the prayers the honor guards took their places.

One came and stood in front of the flag and held a salute, while the other played Taps just outside the door. Talk about sad. After Taps has been played, the flag is carefully folded into the symbolic tri-cornered shape. It is amazing to watch them fold this flag with such precision and sharp moves.

Some interesting facts: a properly proportioned flag will fold 13 times on the triangles, representing the 13 original colonies. The folded flag is emblematic of the tri-cornered hat worn by the Patriots of the American Revolution. When folded, no red or white stripe is to be evident, leaving only the blue field with stars. The folded flag is then presented as a keepsake to the next of kin or an appropriate family member. Each branch of the Armed Forces uses its own wording for the presentation.

Andrew is my 6 year old nephew. He is named after Grandpa and Grandpa had given him all his medals and everything, so my Mom and Aunt thought it would be fitting that the flag be presented to him. So they play Taps and they fold up this flag and then Andrew holds out his arms and this honor guard stoops over and places the flag in his arms and says: "This flag is presented on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful service." What a tearjerker. I do not think there was a dry eye in the place.

Between saying goodbye to Grandpa for the final time, watching Andrew accept the flag, and the words they say - it was a long, emotionally draining day. And after the past few weeks, I feel like I could sleep for days. And so on that note, I am going to bed.