John gets his first recognition as an Honorably Discharged Air Force Veteran - Phoenix, AZ Glendale Star Newspaper - 5/26/2011

I've no idea how I was able to post this - I am persistent lol!  Click on the article a couple of  times to get to a print size you can read.

Taking a break......

I'll be back.

A night to remember .................

Where do I begin?  Such an emotional evening, meeting new people, and those who I've never met paying their respects to John - it was all so surreal. The Glendale American Legion Post #29 Honor Guard, under Bob Hicks, was there to perform the memorial ceremony. George Cushing, retired U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sergeant, past Commander of the Northwest Valley Veterans Association was in attendance; Rev. R. Dale Copsey, Ret. Chaplain, Lt Col, USAF-Ret, a 2007 recipient of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society from Mesa, Arizona, presided over the memorial service, and many others whose names I cannot recall at the moment, were there to pay their respects as well.  These lovely "young" gentlemen took time out of their lives to honor my brother and it was MY honor to meet them and give my own thanks.  I was presented with the American Flag - soon to be framed and displayed for all to see.   As strong as I purport to be, I boo-hooed through the entire ceremony, tears I've not shed for John for many, many years.  It was cleansing.  I'm  still absorbing it all and, once again, words escape me.  The artist, and my friend, Patricia, was so supportive and so "there" for me - I thank her sincerely. To gallery owner, Kristin, my deepest appreciation for allowing this most unusual, and perhaps the "first-of-its-kind" event to take place in her gallery.  I will write more but wanted to share with those who visit my blog a brief synopsis of the evening.   I hope John liked it.

The past is to be revered............

It's said "leave the past behind".  While we mustn't live in the past we must, however, remember, recall unfinished business and pay respect to it.  This, I'm still trying to do for my brother, John.   The past, with John in it, came upon me like a flood of rain and spurned me on to do all I can to pay my respects to him and honor his memory, to give life back to a young man who has long been forgotten.  Or was he?  So many are coming together, those who did not know him, to pay their respects and set his spirit free. While there is much I've yet to do for him, he will have his due recognition at the upcoming "A Book About Death" art exhibit in Phoenix, AZ., on May 6, 2011, all thanks to friend & artist, Patricia Sahertian.  The local VFW will be in attendance, Taps will be played, a retired Air Force Chaplain will preside over the (memorial) ceremony, and many who did not have a clue John existed will now come to know a little bit about him, will share in the respect he so richly deserved.  He's now doing the "happy dance" in a world he now inhabits.

Dear John..............

Were you sleepin'?  Well, wake up!  As you know, lots going on and you're front & center - who would've figured after all this time.  Not only do I NOT have the words for those who are helping us, but I've none for you right now.  It's beyond my wildest imagination that you should, at long last, be recognized for who you were, who you still are, and who you shall always remain for all eternity - a young, vibrant, intelligent, sensitive, funny & caring young man. God I wish I could physically hug you - I'd never let go.  I know you're with me though - refreshing [my] memories, giving [me] new ones and bringing solace when needed most.  Oh how I wish I could have given you the same, if only I'd known, if only............... It was not to be that your life on earth would be a very happy or peaceful one but you shall rest in peace very soon my dear brother, I promise you that.

Bye for now.

Much has happened..................

........and I will not repeat it here.  I direct you to my other blog -  Hart Island - it's all intertwined.  John's smiling.  More to come............

We don't always get what we want in life......................

..............and so I am accepting John's remains will NEVER be found on Hart Island and my hope to bury his very personal belongings, items that contain his DNA and, therefore, as far as I'm concerned, are him, will not be realized.  I am grateful to those persons who have given me alternative directions for me to travel, however, and still honor John's memory and his spirit.  I've been in a quandry as these personal items I mention - his military cap, the Bible he carried everywhere, his college papers, handmade wooden chess set, smoking pipe and (tobacco - yes, I've kept that too for 39 years), and other items, are such I WOULD NEVER THROW AWAY!  Since the Veteran's Administration will not allow me to bury these items in a little plot of land, or even in a wall crypt (as with ashes), it's been suggested to me to have all his items blessed and have my own "cremation"  ceremony, if you will - I have chosen my home fireplace for this release ceremony.  I realize I must let go of these items (I've no family to leave them to once I'm gone) and it is not an option to throw anything away - I may donate the chess set to a Veteran's Hospital, however - John would approve.  I have received authorization for a memorial ceremony for John at a Veteran's Cemetery in Riverside, California - Riverside National Cemetery - during which there will be a Catholic ceremony performed, the playing of Taps w/2 honor guards in attendance, handing over of the American Flag, and a plaque to be installed on their Memorial/Rememberance Wall.  I also plan on playing two songs, one of which was his absolute favorite at the time - "Honky Tonk Women" by the Rolling Stones - curiously, after 39 years, I found that record among many of his personal items - how's that for fate!  White balloons will float up through the skies, clouds, stars and, of course, through the heavens - he will know; at long last, he can rest in peace.  Arrangements are in progress.