100% done with the day
Oct. 2nd, 2014 07:38 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alee_grrlMy brother and I have mostly been just hanging out the last couple of days, but today we realized we actually needed to get things done.
Yesterday I called the Veteran's Cemetery and arranged a time for the interment of my father's ashes. Because of his active duty service in the Navy during Vietnam my father is entitled to full military honors. The service will be Monday afternoon.
Today my brother and I decided what to put on Dad's marker in addition to his name, service experience, and birth and death dates. We went with the landing eagle for the emblem. There is quite a selection of emblems to choose from but the eagle was the only one that wasn't clearly tied to a specific belief system. My dad had a similar belief system to mine (sort of animist/eclectic pagan) and there isn't a clearly defined emblem for that. The landing eagle reminded me of the tattoo that he had on his shoulder which was an eagle taking flight. For inscription we went with precisely what my father wanted, "Game Over. Insert Coin for Replay." Nothing else could capture my father's humor and belief system quite so well.
We also went out and did our funeral clothes shopping. Dad wouldn't have cared what we wore to his service and he never stood on formalities. But we want to show our respect for those service members who will be presenting the honors. So a nice dress for me and slacks and a dressy sweater for my brother.
The last thing we did before heading home to crash and veg out was stop by Verizon. My phone had been part of a family plan with my Dad as the main account holder. So one of the things I needed to do was put the account in my name. Since I also wanted to update my phone it ended up being easier and cheaper to close the one account and open a new account in my own name. The only unfortunate side effects of this was that I did not get to keep my number and I lost some of my contacts. I thought I had everything backed up to Google, but apparently I missed a few. So I'm rebuilding my address book now.
If you are someone who had my old phone number and would like my current number please PM me.
On the plus side, I got to spend time with two lovely doggies that work with the local pet therapy group. One older golden retriever and a young lab. My brother and I both really enjoyed the dog visit and that probably helped give us the bit of a boost we needed to go out and do the other things.
Yesterday I called the Veteran's Cemetery and arranged a time for the interment of my father's ashes. Because of his active duty service in the Navy during Vietnam my father is entitled to full military honors. The service will be Monday afternoon.
Today my brother and I decided what to put on Dad's marker in addition to his name, service experience, and birth and death dates. We went with the landing eagle for the emblem. There is quite a selection of emblems to choose from but the eagle was the only one that wasn't clearly tied to a specific belief system. My dad had a similar belief system to mine (sort of animist/eclectic pagan) and there isn't a clearly defined emblem for that. The landing eagle reminded me of the tattoo that he had on his shoulder which was an eagle taking flight. For inscription we went with precisely what my father wanted, "Game Over. Insert Coin for Replay." Nothing else could capture my father's humor and belief system quite so well.
We also went out and did our funeral clothes shopping. Dad wouldn't have cared what we wore to his service and he never stood on formalities. But we want to show our respect for those service members who will be presenting the honors. So a nice dress for me and slacks and a dressy sweater for my brother.
The last thing we did before heading home to crash and veg out was stop by Verizon. My phone had been part of a family plan with my Dad as the main account holder. So one of the things I needed to do was put the account in my name. Since I also wanted to update my phone it ended up being easier and cheaper to close the one account and open a new account in my own name. The only unfortunate side effects of this was that I did not get to keep my number and I lost some of my contacts. I thought I had everything backed up to Google, but apparently I missed a few. So I'm rebuilding my address book now.
If you are someone who had my old phone number and would like my current number please PM me.
On the plus side, I got to spend time with two lovely doggies that work with the local pet therapy group. One older golden retriever and a young lab. My brother and I both really enjoyed the dog visit and that probably helped give us the bit of a boost we needed to go out and do the other things.
no subject
Date: 2014-10-03 04:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-03 04:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-03 10:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-03 09:19 pm (UTC)I'm glad to hear that the local Veteran's Cemetery has providing the monument plaque and final resting place for your Dad's ashes and that they are doing a ceremony for him. I should point out that unless you don't mind having a Christian service, you should tell them, otherwise Veteran's Cemetery's default to a Christian service if nothing is specified. Also, don't be surprised if the playing of Taps hits you like a brick wall. Taps brings tears to the eyes when it's played in general, but under these circumstances it will likely bring all of the emotions to bear.
Many virtual hugs and all supportive vibes to you and your family.
Since I can't be there to salute a passing fellow soldier... *stands to attention and salutes*
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Date: 2014-10-03 11:14 pm (UTC)We went out to the Cemetery today and had them walk us through things. What they do now is let you bring your own minister/spiritual leader to have a prayer said before and/or after if you want. If you do not want to start with a prayer or reading they move straight into the honors and the presentation of the flag. I fully expect to loose it when Taps is played, and if I make it through that I'll probably loose it during the presentation of the flag.
Thank you for the supportive vibes, virtual hugs, and respect shown my father. All of that is greatly appreciated.
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Date: 2014-10-04 04:12 am (UTC)Glad the inscription is what your father would have wanted.
My sympathy to you and your brother.
no subject
Date: 2014-10-04 04:17 am (UTC)