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- Feb 9, 2004
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Taps and Reveille - October 11, 2005
"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first." 1 Thessalonians 4:16
The tiny chapel was packed with people who were there to pay their respects. Even the old, squishy sofa in the back, along with the two funeral home wing back chairs, were filled. Dripping umbrellas were scattered about the floor. Outside, the clouds kept steadily weeping. But inside, the glow from the lights was soft, the rose drapery soothing, and the beautiful flowers looked peaceful.
There were hugs and smiles, and tears. Whispered greetings were exchanged. A hush fell, and the memorial was underway. Two young men, in starched white uniforms, marched in silence. With a precise 90-degree turn, they faced forward, stock still, like statues.
Many people from all stages of John's life, shared words of remembrance. The music and scriptures were comforting. A kind gentleness pervaded the atmosphere as we came together to celebrate the life of our friend, neighbor, father, brother, and grandfather.
The service was drawing to a close. A member of the Honor Guard came forward, precisely turning. Just before he began the flag-folding ritual, honoring the deceased for serving our country, the other Guardsman put his trumpet to his lips.
Taps broke into my solitude. Reverence overtook and engulfed me. As the haunting, melodious strains of Taps rose and fell, my heart went heavenward, toward my Creator.
At that moment, the picture came to my mind of our friend, now with the Lord. A vision of a clear, bright morning in heaven, with Reveill being played.
Taps: a military signal to turn the lights out; Reveille: a bugle call at sunrise. One here; one there.
That is good news.
Contributed by Sally I. Kennedy
"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first." 1 Thessalonians 4:16
The tiny chapel was packed with people who were there to pay their respects. Even the old, squishy sofa in the back, along with the two funeral home wing back chairs, were filled. Dripping umbrellas were scattered about the floor. Outside, the clouds kept steadily weeping. But inside, the glow from the lights was soft, the rose drapery soothing, and the beautiful flowers looked peaceful.
There were hugs and smiles, and tears. Whispered greetings were exchanged. A hush fell, and the memorial was underway. Two young men, in starched white uniforms, marched in silence. With a precise 90-degree turn, they faced forward, stock still, like statues.
Many people from all stages of John's life, shared words of remembrance. The music and scriptures were comforting. A kind gentleness pervaded the atmosphere as we came together to celebrate the life of our friend, neighbor, father, brother, and grandfather.
The service was drawing to a close. A member of the Honor Guard came forward, precisely turning. Just before he began the flag-folding ritual, honoring the deceased for serving our country, the other Guardsman put his trumpet to his lips.
Taps broke into my solitude. Reverence overtook and engulfed me. As the haunting, melodious strains of Taps rose and fell, my heart went heavenward, toward my Creator.
At that moment, the picture came to my mind of our friend, now with the Lord. A vision of a clear, bright morning in heaven, with Reveill being played.
Taps: a military signal to turn the lights out; Reveille: a bugle call at sunrise. One here; one there.
That is good news.
Contributed by Sally I. Kennedy
