funeral in the rain
"Pinelawn."
Say that to any Long Islander, and they know what you mean. Point your car to the intersection of Long Island Avenue and Wellwood Avenue, in Farmingdale. You will find a small, seldom-used railroad station surrounded by ... Pinelawn Memorial Park, the Long Island National Cemetery, St. Charles Cemetery, New Montefiori Cemetery...
It was rainy and cold on Friday, when our little group gathered together. Our destination was the National Cemetery. Drew's father was never one for religious ceremony, but his service in the United States Army during World War II was something he held dear. And so Drew chose the National Cemetery as his parents' final resting place. It was a simple funeral, 14 of us gathered beneath a canopy near the columbarium. The honor guard, two soldiers in dress uniform, played taps, and folded up a flag to present to the family. Then each of us spoke a few words about Drew's father and mother. And then the funeral director placed the ashes in a niche, and it was over.
It was, as Drew said, exactly what his father would have wanted.
Say that to any Long Islander, and they know what you mean. Point your car to the intersection of Long Island Avenue and Wellwood Avenue, in Farmingdale. You will find a small, seldom-used railroad station surrounded by ... Pinelawn Memorial Park, the Long Island National Cemetery, St. Charles Cemetery, New Montefiori Cemetery...
It was rainy and cold on Friday, when our little group gathered together. Our destination was the National Cemetery. Drew's father was never one for religious ceremony, but his service in the United States Army during World War II was something he held dear. And so Drew chose the National Cemetery as his parents' final resting place. It was a simple funeral, 14 of us gathered beneath a canopy near the columbarium. The honor guard, two soldiers in dress uniform, played taps, and folded up a flag to present to the family. Then each of us spoke a few words about Drew's father and mother. And then the funeral director placed the ashes in a niche, and it was over.
It was, as Drew said, exactly what his father would have wanted.
I've attended my brother's graveside down here at Bay Pines, and we had my mother in law interred with my father in law at Pinelawn.
ReplyDeleteThe military gives just the right amount of solemnity to funerals.
RIP, Emil.
thank you.
DeleteI had bever been to a military funeral before. It was so dignified and simple.