Returned from burying my father. This funeral service was harder than the first one (in Texas). Part of it was the complete finality of it–this is where he was going to be for good. Forever. Previously, I always had this service in Valley Forge to look forward to. Well, look forward is the wrong phrasing. I had it to fall back on. The plot of land is beautiful. He’s in a mausoleum where he has the bottom right plot. Seemed fitting, and will make placing flowers, flags, etc. easy. He’s within sight of the World of Scouting Museum, which is fitting, since he took such an interest in my life in the Boy Scouts.
The chapel itself, (Washington Memorial Chapel), is really stunning. It’s in some ways quite fitting that his funeral take place there, since he was married there some 60 years ago to his first wife. Now his second buries him there.
There was honor guard from the Army. Bugler played taps (on a real horn). They folded the flag and presented it to my mom, “On behalf of a grateful nation for faithful and steadfast service.” That was kind of hard to hear and stomach. And, of course, the weather was not agreeing with us. I walked outside carrying the urn and the weather was cloudy and wet (like Scotland). By the time the flag was in my mom’s arms, it was pouring and everyone was soaked.
I was blessed to have many friends come from all over (Chicago, Boston, NY) and family. It was the first time my 4 siblings and I have ever been in the same room. Surprisingly, went off without much of a hitch and without any drama. Minor miracle.
I’m happy that I discharged my duty as a son. That I brought him back to Pennsylvania and to Valley Forge as he wanted. I’m happy that I eulogized him–I hope it even approached what he deserved. It was much harder to deliver the speech here–owing again to the finality. The organ playing Amazing Grace at the end of the service was very difficult. Whereas I had to be the pillar of strength in Texas, I no longer had that burden in Pennsylvania, so I also lacked an urgent need to keep everything together.
It’s a place I’ll be happy to visit and take my kids to someday, and that’s what I wanted.
