This weekend I said goodbye to one of my BLUE experts. Hal was a WWII vet. I never formally interviewed him. But I saw him at church on a regular basis so I could slip a question about the war into our conversations as needed.
After visiting him in the hospital and hearing his story about coming home from the war I had to make a change in my manuscript. It was a small change but a word or two can make all the difference in whether or not something is accurate.
Some seemingly trivial information can best be obtained by chatting with someone you know. Hal was a fun one to chat with. He had such a great smile and pleasing way about him.
I will miss him.
His burial with military honors was a deeply moving experience. The playing of Taps is always unspeakably melancholy and seems to call forth emotions I don't even know I have.
Day is done, gone the sun,
From the hills, from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.
Thanks to my sister, Jeannie for the photos!
A very sweet post Joyce! Thanks for sharing. I hated that I was out of town during his memorial service.
ReplyDeleteThanks for honoring our Hal. He was a GOOD man. I was so very impressed with the military ceremony. The dignity and respect that they have for and give to their fellow soldiers is so moving. I enjoyed your Taps link. Very informative.
ReplyDeleteWe will miss his bright eyes and sweet smile. We are so thankful for those last really good days with him just one week before his passing. They will forever be etched in our memory.
Jeannie
We missed you, Amy but I'm glad you could be with your sis!
ReplyDeleteJeannie, thanks again for the pics. I found the Taps history fascinating too.
Your contribution to Hal's last days were so kind and so necessary.
How lovely. I can hear Taps so clearly in my head, and see so much of BLUE as I read your post.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you, Hall, wherever you may be.