We laid Dad to rest yesterday.  The support from our family, our friends, and our community has been overwhelming.  It was a beautiful service and military burial.  I wanted to share the video of the procession from the church to the cemetery.  Ironically we passed an excavator on a lowboy along the highway and we had one of ours set up at Penro to honor Dad as he went by our shop one last time.  It was definitely a procession fitting for a ditchdigger!  Special thanks to B&B Video Productions from West Point and to my wife Holly for lining it up.

https://vimeo.com/bandbvideo/review/332757171/be7e4e4e1d

When we think of heroes we tend to picture the likes of Superman or Wonder Woman, these larger-than-life, cape-clad iconic superheroes who save humanity from evil scientists and certain demise. But it's the everyday heroes we all have in our lives who really form our perceptions on life, the uncles and aunts, mom and dads, teachers and coaches who truly shape us. Uncle Bud is at the top of that list for me. Dating back to those wonderful summer days and weeks spent in Pender as kid, where it was completely acceptable to wander the streets after dark without adult supervision, Uncle Bud was the very definition of kindness. His kindness was different from most, the sort that young children and animals recognize instinctively. He was funny; a soft voice emanating from a large figure, not afraid to give you a bit of good-natured ribbing (I still cringe when I hear Rick Springfield's musical abomination “Jessie's Girl”), yet somehow through the teasing and laughter there was an obvious love and kindness under it all. Bud taught me how to be gentle and funny at the same time, how to speak and carry yourself with a reserved dignity, how to always be a source of strength for those around you. Uncle Bud was just fun to be around: overnight fishing at Gavin's Point Damn, Christmas gatherings in that Pender basement next to the hospital, fish-fries with the family all gathered, trips to the various job sites he was working on. No matter the occasion or location, Uncle Bud has an energy about him that was reassuring and healthy to be around. He represented a sort of extended family for me, having him in your life meant you were loved no matter what, you had your people and they would always be there for you. His quiet strength and his gentle nature were apparent to my Son Van as a little one as well. Bud's eyes lit up whenever he got to meet a new addition to the tribe. It warmed my heart to see how Bud brought my Son into the fold so seamlessly, how Van was one of us without question, how Bud was able to make this squirmy little baby relax a bit, how I could see Van's body softening and letting go as he sat with Bud, how a child's mind could instinctively know this large man is one of the truly great ones. Bud made you feel protected and loved. And at the end of the day what more do we want then to feel loved and protected? Uncle Bud made the world a better place to live, he made all of our lives a bit easier, his smile and laugh will forever remain with those he loved.

My father was one of a kind.  He will always be our eye in the sky watching over to make sure we never forget about faith and family.

The oldest of six children I have many memories with Dad. He had a smile and a grin none like any other and loved a good practical joke. Some of his best moments were when he could make others laugh along with him and turn the darkest day in to sunshine.

Some of my best moments with dad were spent watching over a fishing line and as a child growing up visiting his many job sites learning how he spent countless hours dedicated to the underground infrastructure piping industry.  Dad was a pioneer in running heavy equipment especially his Drott 50 Backhoe and was not afraid to take on projects which others in the industry thought were impossible to build.

Dad will be remembered by his character, integrity and laid back sense of humor. There are so many things to reflect on about dad but the one thing that stood out was how he cared for my Mom.  As Dad mentioned during his final days Mom was the love of his life.  Dad would always give her a hard time about buying enough groceries for ten families and not passing up a good garage sale.

Dad had many goals in life. When he left us Dad accomplished everything and knew it was his time to join our heavenly father. He is now enjoying countless memories and knows what he left behind will carry on for generations, his family.   

We will miss you dad, I know you are saving a place for all of us.