Bill Record, Jr of Healing Stone Monument Company in Sullivan, took delivery on the headstone we designed for Dads grave at IOOF Cemetery by mid October, and placed it at the grave a week later…..

…..we decided to have a memorial graveside service so that the US Air Force could come out to present the colors and play taps to honor Dad for his four years of active service from 1949 to 1953, since they forgot to show up on the day of his funeral. The Washington Legion Post was present that day and stepped up to the task when they realized the Air Force failed to show up, and did a fine job, but the Air Force kept calling Mom to apologize for their error and asked for a second chance..we felt there was no need to have them out until we had the headstone in place. We set the date for the service on Saturday afternoon, October 29th and invited family and close friends, as well as Sullivan Fire District. Cody Martin`s crew of firefighters and Deputy Chief Larry Flescher arrived and positioned Pumper 854, dedicated to Dad for over 50 years of service to the district back in 2012, on the west side of the headstone for the service….

The US Air Force was gracious enough to send out two young Sergeants for the service, which we found fitting since Dad was a Sergeant when he left the service. My sister JoAnn spoke about Dad at the service…..

….while I photographed the service for the newspaper and video taped the Presentation of the Colors. Kenny Palmer sang and Mike Dace spoke about Dads service to the district as well. The Air Force Sergeants then presented the colors and played taps…

…and then we released red, white, and blue balloons into the skies above….

…which concluded the service….here is the footstone that Mom had designed to reflect Dads service to the USAF, and the front side of the headstone as well….

We appreciate everyone that was able to come out and celebrate and honor Dads life with us that day.