CarlosDJackal
05-19-2004, 20:45
I also posted this in the GNG forum:
He was buried Tuesday morning (May 18th) with Full Military Honors provided by the MD National Guard Honor Guard. They provided a 2-man flag detail, a 3-man Rifle Squad, a (live) bugler, as well as an OIC (Major) and NCOIC (SSG). I did not even know these guys existed but they were very professional and very precise.
He was also rendered honors by the Knights of Columbus Sunday night (May 16th). It too was a very touching ceremony. He was a 4th Level Knight of the K of C and was given a certificate and pin for more than 50 years' membership just a few months ago.
He died peacefully 5 minutes after my sister-in-law and niece from Washington State arrived Friday morning (May 14th around 9:30 AM EST). The nurse did say that he was lingering, probably because he was waiting for someone. Two of my cousins arrived the night before. All six of his children were present for the funeral as well as being present when he came home from the hospital the Saturday before (May 8th).
At 88-years old he surpassed his life expectancy and probably outlived most, if not all of the japanese soldiers who tried to kill him either with a bullet, bayonet, or through torture or cruelty during World War II.
His highest award was the Bronze star, and as it turns out he was promoted to the rank of Captain in September of 1944. This is something we did not find out until just four days before his death. So on the day after he died, I drove out to Fort Belvoir, VA (his old stomping grounds while he was attending Combat Engineering School back in the 1940s) and pucrhased a (miniature) Captain's Bars tie pin. I pinned it onto the right collar of his "Barong Tagalog" (Filipino formal wear) and it was buried with him.
If anyone in the Baltimore area is looking for a Funeral home, I cannot say enough about the Shimunek Funeral Home. They and their staff were very accomodating and customer oriented. Dave, the guy who handled all the preperation and execution was very honest and up-front about any and all charges adn he did not try to sell us anything we didn't need. He and his assistants handled all the details, including the Honor Guard, with great precision. Turns out he is also a retired CW2 from the MD-ARNG.
The funeral included the release of some White Doves to signify the release of his soul from it's earthly bounds. I know he would have been very happy with this funeral.
Thank you all for all your prayers and well-wishes.
He was buried Tuesday morning (May 18th) with Full Military Honors provided by the MD National Guard Honor Guard. They provided a 2-man flag detail, a 3-man Rifle Squad, a (live) bugler, as well as an OIC (Major) and NCOIC (SSG). I did not even know these guys existed but they were very professional and very precise.
He was also rendered honors by the Knights of Columbus Sunday night (May 16th). It too was a very touching ceremony. He was a 4th Level Knight of the K of C and was given a certificate and pin for more than 50 years' membership just a few months ago.
He died peacefully 5 minutes after my sister-in-law and niece from Washington State arrived Friday morning (May 14th around 9:30 AM EST). The nurse did say that he was lingering, probably because he was waiting for someone. Two of my cousins arrived the night before. All six of his children were present for the funeral as well as being present when he came home from the hospital the Saturday before (May 8th).
At 88-years old he surpassed his life expectancy and probably outlived most, if not all of the japanese soldiers who tried to kill him either with a bullet, bayonet, or through torture or cruelty during World War II.
His highest award was the Bronze star, and as it turns out he was promoted to the rank of Captain in September of 1944. This is something we did not find out until just four days before his death. So on the day after he died, I drove out to Fort Belvoir, VA (his old stomping grounds while he was attending Combat Engineering School back in the 1940s) and pucrhased a (miniature) Captain's Bars tie pin. I pinned it onto the right collar of his "Barong Tagalog" (Filipino formal wear) and it was buried with him.
If anyone in the Baltimore area is looking for a Funeral home, I cannot say enough about the Shimunek Funeral Home. They and their staff were very accomodating and customer oriented. Dave, the guy who handled all the preperation and execution was very honest and up-front about any and all charges adn he did not try to sell us anything we didn't need. He and his assistants handled all the details, including the Honor Guard, with great precision. Turns out he is also a retired CW2 from the MD-ARNG.
The funeral included the release of some White Doves to signify the release of his soul from it's earthly bounds. I know he would have been very happy with this funeral.
Thank you all for all your prayers and well-wishes.