I remember when dad and a friend bought a sports car that didn't run. A Renault, soft top. They both loved to tinker with cars. I graduated from high school and was thrilled when dad presented the keys to me. My grandmother McKee couldn't understand why I was so excited to get keys to something that didn't even start!. That summer he and Jim Pounders got it running. I had never driven a stick shift before. Dad took me out for a driving lesson. I can remember driving, turning a corner, too fast, and him saying, "You know this thing does have brakes!"

"I thought you were a race car driver once?"

"I didn't drive like that!" was his response. I later learned stock car racing was a different kind of racing. The goal was to avoid others, and be the last car standing. 

I've had several sport cars since then in my life. About a year ago I was driving my sports car, top down, a beautiful day, and took a corner too fast. I heard dad in my head reminding me, "It does have brakes you know!" That car has since been sold, but dad spoke to me more than once as I would drive it, wind blowing in my hair, and a smile on my face.

Shared by Scott S. Powell on 06/04/2011

This was not the first Military service I've attended. They are rich in time honored  tradition and symbolism. The Honor Guard, the gun salute, the draping and folding of the flag, the last slow salute of the guard, the spent casings from the gun salute, the caisson as the final receptacle

These are things I know only what my two fathers told me about so many years ago. And my memory is not so good anymore.  The following a good friend sent me.  If you know more about some of the other military symbols used - please share the story:

"Meaning of Flag Draped Coffin

    All Americans should be given this lesson.  Those who think that
America is an arrogant nation should really reconsider that thought.  Our
founding fathers used God's word and teachings to establish our great nation
and I think it's high time Americans get re-educated about this nation's
history. 
    Pass it along and be proud of the country we live in and even more
proud of those who serve to protect our 'GOD GIVEN' rights and freedoms. I
hope you take the time to read this ... To understand what the flag draped
coffin really means ... Here is how to understand the flag that  laid upon
it and is surrendered to so many widows and  widowers.
    Do you know that at military funerals, the 21-gun salute stands for the
sum of the numbers in the year 1776?
    Have you ever noticed the honor guard pays meticulous attention to
correctly folding the United States of America Flag 13 times?  You probably
thought it was to symbolize the original 13 colonies, but we learn something
new every day!
*     The 1st fold of the flag is a symbol of life.
*     The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal life.
*     The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans
departing the ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of the
country to attain peace throughout the world.
*     The 4th fold represents the weaker nature, for as American citizens
trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time
of war for His divine guidance.
*     The 5th fold is a tribute to the country, for in the words of
Stephen Decatur, 'Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she
always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.'
*     The 6th fold is for where people's hearts lie.  It is with their
heart that they pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of
America , and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God,
indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.
*     The 7th fold is a tribute to its Armed Forces, for it is through the
Armed Forces that they protect their country and their flag against all her
enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of their
republic.
*     The 8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of
the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day.
*     The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, and Mothers.  For it has
been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the
character of the men and women who have made this country great has been
molded.
*     The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his
sons and daughters for the defense of their country since they were first
born.
*     The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David
and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews eyes, the God of Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob.
*     The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the
Christians eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
*     The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are
uppermost reminding them of their Nations motto, 'In God We Trust.'
    After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the
appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served
under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served
under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and
shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for them the
rights, privileges and freedoms they enjoy today.
    There are some traditions and ways of doing things that have deep
meaning. In the future, you'll see flags folded and now you will know why."

Shared by Scott S. Powell on 05/25/2011

Rus was an extroxiary man.

He loved racing. Maybe that's what made our intial bound,

He raced Stock Cars, I grew up with Indy Cars, But the thrill of the road was under both our feet. He taught me how to rebuild my first engine. Actualy his daughter's (my wife's) 1966 Baracuda. I knew he hadn't done it in a while because he kept pulling tools out of his tool box and saying stuff like "yep - that still works".  I never knew how much a man can remember until I met Russ. that rebuilt engine ran like it just got turbo-charged and had new life to stick to the road.  Russ was that good working with his hands. And he tryed to teach me, and I can't remember even half of it now.

Russ taught me a lot about so many different things. So many - life - family-CARS - Mowing lawns - sprinklers - building colverts - POLITICS - clearing land - cutting trees - just so much it's hard to explain. He is and was a remarkable person to know. 

Russ was a democrat. Given his outlook on our country you never would of guess that. he said he registered as a democrat when he sign up for the service and told me once he never thought of anything else.  Well at the very least he was a "Blue dog" democrat - and I can respect that to my own dying day. He loved this country - and his service to it.  If marraige was based on picking your  In-laws - then I hit the lotto with Russ and Doris. They have been everything to me. 

I am sad that Russ has passed.

I am extatic that he is with God,

signed - One son-in-law that will truely miss a father that taught him the meaning of how to be a good man.

In the 50's dad drove the local dirt tracks of Nebraska in his number "101" stock car.  As best as I can remember, I never missed a race.  Some of my happiest childhood memories are sitting in the grandstands, eating a hotdog and watching him race.  Mom even got into the act once, when they let the wives of the drivers enter the "Powder Puff Derby".  That was one of the funniest races I think I ever saw.  Dad was so proud of his "101", he'd be out in the garage all week getting ready for the races that weekend.  Then off to the track we'd all go.  In those days they had what were called heats.  If he'd place within the top 5 of the first heat, you'd go onto the second and third heats to make it to the end race, which was the money race.  He often won the trophy dash, though, through out that race I was yelling for him not to win.  I hated that girl handing him his trophy and then kissing him, no other women except mom and his girls were allowed in my mind to be kissing him.  The nights that he'd win his heats, and then win money in the final race were some of the best nights in the world.  We'd all celebrate, dad would be at his best humor, laughing and telling all kinds of jokes about the car, races and what happened in the pits.  He'd talk about tires that almost fell off as he made the last turn headed for that checkered flag and laugh, making us all laugh along with him.  He'd give me nickles for the juke box and dance between the tables of the local hamburger joint we were all crowded into.  I'd get to order a cheeseburger and a milk shake, which was a great treat for me.  Dad loved that car, he loved working on it, driving it and making the rounds of those old Nebraska dirt tracks.  I miss you dad.