We laid my grandfather’s ashes to rest this weekend, at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD. I’ve never attended a military service before, and figured it would be a fairly regimentary experience; certainly not an emotional one. Yet, when I heard "Taps" mournfully bleating, watched the rows of flags dancing in the breeze, and felt the startled air from fired rounds, tears filled my eyes. Grandpa Louie was always proud of his military record, having fought in the Korean war. According to my father, "he joined the first wave of US and UN forces that fought north all the way to the Yalu River and then retreated back to the 38th Parallel that eventually generally became the North/South Korean border." Now, on Saturday, it seemed as if America was saying "thanks" to him, personally.
There are many things I would like to say to him, or memories, too few and far between, that I wish to recollect, but nothing seems right. Instead, I’d like to post a few of his photographs, and leave my farewell message fairly simple.
Donald Louis Havelick
(April 23, 1928 - August 23, 2007)
Grandpa, I’ll miss you. I wish I had known you better.
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My condolences to you and your family.
Karmen, my deepest condolences to you and your family. I just realized that August 23 is the same date that my last grandparent (my maternal grandmother) passed away.
The tricycle jaunt has to bring a smile to your face - thanks for sharing it with us.
Condolences. Grandpa Louie walks on.
Karmen, I think that your Grandpa Louie joined the first wave of US and UN forces that fought north all the way to the Yalu River and then retreated back to the 38th Parallel that eventually generally became the North/South Korean border. Didn't sound like a fun time.
Thanks, everyone, for your condolences, and my apologies for being so late in giving them. (I'm only now catching up after being gone.)
Dad, I never meant to assume it was a fun time. I would think just the opposite. On the other hand, it took a vast amount of bravery, of which I think he was rather proud. That's what I felt was being honored at the service. Thanks for clarifying (I've tried to fix the paragraph above, accordingly); I guess I still have a lot to learn about him.