When my father-in-law died of cancer September, 1997, my husband, while making the funeral arrangements tried to arrange a Navy flyover. C.C. had been a naval aviator in World War ll and the Korean War. He stayed in the Naval Reserve as long as he could and retired a Captain. He loved being in the Navy and was proud of his service.
C.C. had been active during his career in arranging flyovers for those in his unit or former units’ funerals. He had a knack of getting things done and could always be depended upon to do what he said he would do.
So when my husband as an active duty COL couldn’t arrange a flyover for his own father’s funeral he was heart-sick. He called his congressman, his senator and everyone he knew in the military but had no luck. The Clinton downsizing of the military had eliminated things like flyovers and funeral duties.
Although we all thought my husband did a wonderful job arranging C.C.’s funeral he didn’t think so himself. Along with the grief of losing his Dad he felt he had failed him when he couldn’t arrange a flyover.
Many people showed up for C.C.’s funeral at the National Cemetery. It was a clear September day and the pastor had just said a prayer when I looked up to the sky and on the left-hand side I saw a plane flying over. It was a Navy transport. That was significant because during his career C.C. had been a commander of a Navy transport squadron. Someone had remembered.
We all stopped, looked up and watched the plane fly over, knowing that the order had come from somewhere and the mission had been accomplished. My husband’s eyes teared up and he had a smile on his face as he knew that the service had not let him or his father down. C.C.’s eyes would have twinkled but he wouldn’t have said much about it had he been there for he was a man of few words but great deeds.
This Memorial Day our family honors C.C. Donoho’s memory and his lifetime of dedicated military service.
We also honor all those who have laid down their lives for this country. We pray that all those who are now serving in harms way will come home safe.
Welcome Michelle Malkin visitors.
Lorie Byrd of Wizbang is Remembering.
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Remember...
This weekend, in the middle of your cookouts and family trips and other holiday events, don't forget to stop and remember those we honor on Memorial Day. More importantly, take the time to teach your children that the day is......
May 26th, 2006 | #
Beautiful. Touching. Thank you.
May 27th, 2006 | #
That was a very beautiful story. I can imagine what it was like when the plane appeared and flew over, there must not of been a dry eye in the house. Thank you to you and your husband, and certainly to your father-in-law, for the time he gave this country and the sacrifices he surely made to defend freedom and liberty.
God Bless him and all men and women of our Armed Services. Thanks again for this wonderful story, Steven
May 27th, 2006 | #
Thank you - this was a very moving tribute.
There are NO dry eyes here.
My wife, family and I appreciate the
sacrifices made by ALL Our servicemen and
women.
Some gave their last full measure in combat
Some survived to teach a new generation.
ALL Americans and most of the world owe a debt of gratuitude beyond measure - to the fallen, to the survivors and to ALL their families.
God Bless
Phil Upchurch and Family
May 27th, 2006 | #
Thank you. That was wonderful. Lest we forget.
Blessings,
Kelsey
May 27th, 2006 | #
What a beautiful tribute Laura!
May 27th, 2006 | #
What a moving story. When my father, a retired Air Force pilot, died in 2003, my sister and I felt he should have a military burial with full honors. We knew the honor guard would be there, there would a 21-gun salute, and an Airman would present the flag to the family. We did not even think of asking if there would be a flyover. As the honor guard was unloading the casket from the hearse, we looked up in the sky and there were two military planes flying over. One was unusually low and dipped his wings, as if to say, job well done my good and faithful soldier. After the service, my sister contacted base operations and they told her the planes were KC 135’s, the same type of plane my dad flew, and no, it was not a planned flyover. To all soldiers living and dead, I tip my wings to you for a job well done.
(Your story is especially meaningful to me as I sign my comments on blogs, “cc”)
May 27th, 2006 | #
re: "The Clinton downsizing of the military had eliminated things like flyovers and funeral duties."
How convienient that you choose to bash Clinton and not include the fact that Donald Rumsfeld lacked the decency and dignity to actually sign letters to the families of fallen soldiers in Iraq/Afghaniatan. Moreover, King George IVIII has not attended even one funeral of the fallen.
If my comment comes across as an unfair and indecent injection of politics into a solemn occasion, then I ask, "why did you?"
May 28th, 2006 | #
Carnival of Blue Stars #13...
The Carnival of Blue Stars gives us, the families, friends, supporters, veterans and current service members an opportunity to have a voice in the Blogsphere...
May 28th, 2006 | #
to #..steamed...that comment was true, even if it is an afront to your delicate eyes...
Here is one source.....
As old soldiers die military struggles to provide funeral honors
another is here.....
Tapped out
and another is here....
Testimony of Veronica A'zera, AMVETS Legislative Director
I didn't have to look hard to find these stories which were from early 1999 and early 2000 either because for any person who was living at the time with any affiliation with the military the truth was known about the big Clinton/Gore downsizing of the government. It was a sham and all the guts were coming from the defense department.
Divisions were losing all sorts of important structural elements and were starting to look like storefront divisions instead of actual functioning divisions. I could go on but this post was totally about honoring C.C.
I could have also mentioned if I had wanted to really gripe about the Clinton administration that my own brothers had to be the military honor guard and they did it because we asked them to because the military couldn't provide them.
That is one reason why the flyby was such a wonderful thing to see in the sky.
May 28th, 2006 | #
To cc and all of the other commenters....thank you so much for your comments. They are wonderful.
May 28th, 2006 | #
Semper Fidelis
May 28th, 2006 | #
The Memorial Day weekend resonates for me on so many levels. Clearly, remembrance of those I love who served and/or were lost in various conflicts over the years, but also in remembrance of both parents who died on Memorial Day weekend 10 years apart, as well as 4 uncles, 2 aunts and several cousins - all lost to us on Memorial Day weekend.
I have always been somewhat paralyzed by this weekend, remembering all those loved and lost - but this weekend I decided instead to celebrate their lives and it was so much better!
So to Gilbert and Irene, my beloved parents, as well as all the other beloved family and friends (including my late fiance who died during his third tour of duty in 'Nam), I feel so blessed to have known all of you. You have enriched my life in so many ways and, while I mourn your loss, I celebrate the fact that you lived. I love you.
May 30th, 2006 | #
That's beautiful Gayle.
May 30th, 2006 | #
Fair winds and following seas.
June 7th, 2006 | #
[...] In future years other veterans of wars in our family would be laid to rest in the National Cemetery, my Uncle Max, and my father-in-law, C.C. both World War ll vets, and my husband’s grandfather, Riley Nolan Donoho, who served in World War l. [...]
May 27th, 2007 | #