The Navy's Honoring Ceremony & Inurnment of Don's Ashes

Today we held the inurnment ceremony where Don's ashes were added to the slot where Eleanor's ashes are kept. Two men from the Navy also paid their last respects to Don by performing a special ceremony.

One officer played Taps. It is at once both beautiful, peaceful and upsetting to hear the song. Then the men performed a flag folding and presented it to Ethan.

This was an intimate family only ceremony. The funeral director shared the following poem with us as the storm clouds began gathering for the storm that will settle in on us tonight:

"MISS ME BUT LET ME GO"

When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little-but not too long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that we once shared
Miss me-but let me go

For this is a journey that we all must take
And each must go alone.
It's all part of the Master's plan
A step on the road to home

When you are lonely and sick of heart
Go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds
Miss me but let me go.

We met back at home to visit and share stories. We had some nice food and shared a warm meal. We watched more family slides. Most of these images are from the time when they lived in England, in Maiden Head and in Lime Walk. The nice house featured below is "Robin Song," the house they had built in Maiden Head. It looks like it was a glorious place to live.

Tomorrow is the actual memorial. A storm is coming in and it may impact how many people are able to attend.