Saturday, March 5, 2011

Respect

Today I attended my uncle's funeral.  He was in his late eighties and his family was not so much mourning as rejoicing that he was no longer suffering but that he had moved on to Glory.  

 With my headlights turned on and a funeral flag placed on my car, I drove through town and about half a dozen red traffic lights as I followed the funeral procession.  Crossing over a major highway and through yet another red light - all hurried motorists came to a standstill while watching our vehicles file through in front of them en route to the cemetery.  I felt special, being a part of something that 
created this much respect.  

This was funeral with Military honors, since Uncle Roy had served in WWII.  Attending  a military funeral is a wonderful experience.  I hadn't been to one since my Dad's funeral many years ago, and I had forgotten.  Other comrades in full uniform who had served in that same war filed one by one to the front where he lay, respectfully saluted him, and left.  It gave me chill bumps.    At the cemetery there were guns fired, taps played, and the presenting of the folded flag to the family.  How could you not get teary?!  

Today I saw something I hadn't seen in a very long time.  

It was genuine and heartfelt.  

In one word - Respect.  

18 comments:

  1. Hello Bobbi... I am so happy your uncle got the respect he so rightfully earned... military funerals are so impressive and make me so humble... my daddy passed away several years ago and he too had a military funeral with full honors, and I was blessed to receive the flag that had draped his coffin... I will never forget those now serving in our Armed Forces who so sincerely mourned with me the loss of my daddy... perhaps your uncle and my daddy are swapping old WWII stories right now... xoxo Julie Marie

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  2. It's wonderful when someone like you Uncle receives the full honors that he deserves! It really is touching and you're right, very emotional too!

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  3. What a wonderful, yet sad, experience. I have only seen the military funerals on T.V., but they are quite something to watch even when you are not there. So sorry about your uncle.

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  4. I agree, military funerals are extremely moving. Our soldiers deserve the extra respect for their service to our country.
    Blessings,
    Lorilee

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  5. Wonderful that he received this moment of respect.

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  6. I have only been to a couple military funerals in my lifetime. There is a certain mood that takes over the attendees. Yes, it is a solemn, gut felt, respect. I am glad you were able to attend.

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  7. Great post Bobbi.Now if only we could bring respect back to this country...

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  8. A beautiful post about your Uncle and his service to our country and the honor and respect he received today. God bless each of you in your loss.

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  9. Bobbi,
    What a heartfelt warming post about the funeral of your uncle. How proud you must have felt and in a word, respect....respect for his journey and what it represents to us as Americans.
    What a lovely blessing to you the family!

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  10. I'm so sorry about your uncle. Thank you for sharing something so moving and special though. We could all use more respect in this world.

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  11. A great feeling and emotional time!

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  12. It fills your heart with love when respect and kindness and love presents itself. I imagine that is a small slice of what heaven must be like. I wish our world was more like that all the time. We have to take those moments and treasure them when we get them. I am sorry for your loss and I'm sure your Uncle Roy deserved every bit of the love and respect show him today. Have a great Sunday and hug that little Gracie dog. My little Tugie the Toy P has already gone to bed without me and I'll have to make her scoot over in a minute. lol

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  13. I am sorry for y'all's loss.... but so glad your uncle was paid such a moving, and meaningful tribute. We owe all that serve in our armed forces such a debt of gratitude!

    Hugs, Jenni

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  14. Hey Bobbi,

    So sorry to hear about the loss of your uncle. It sounds like he definitely received the respect that he deserved! It does something to me when everyone pulls over too. It's like these strangers are paying their respects to my loved one as well.

    I read your comment about the hotdog and I laughed. I think if I knew really what one was made of I wouldn't eat it!

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  15. Wouldn't it be wonderful if every military man and woman that had served honorably would get that beautiful service!! So happy for you and for your uncle.
    Thank you for your visit on Bambi's Gotcha Day post. We are just so happy to have made another year together!!
    xx, Bambi & Fern

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  16. Everytime I hear Taps, I think of my Dad's funeral. What a tribute! Blessings to you and your family Bobbi.

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  17. Bobbi, this sounded very respectful indeed. Your uncle would have been proud, I'm sure.

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  18. Hi Bobbi,I'm sorry for your loss...very nice memorial service and tribute your uncle had. I have been to a few and they are very respectful and patriotic, and sad too...

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