The World has Lost a Great One...

They have been called "The Greatest Generation" and I have to completely agree. These wonderful people who grew up during the depression and brought our nation back through World War II are definitely my heroes. The world lost another one on January 21st. We received a phone call around 4:30 am letting us know that Jared's grandfather, Fredrick Duane Schafer, had passed away. We were able to make a really quick trip to Denver, Colorado to attend his funeral. I learned so much about this great man, who I only ever knew as a sweet grandfather. I always enjoyed his phone calls. He would talk to me for several minutes before even asking for Jared. I always loved our conversations. We were able to look through some of his old photo albums, and I loved seeing him as a child and as a young man in pictures. He joined the army as a young man, and at some point during his training, they informed him that he was much too tall, and he ended up joining an army band, playing the trombone. He was a tall guy, but I didn't think you could be too tall for combat. He did serve overseas as some point... I wish I could remember where. He met his cute wife while he was stationed in Salt Lake City at Fort Douglas. He didn't grow up a member of our church, but was converted at some point as a young man, and served in many positions very honorably... including for a time as a Temple Ordinance Worker. He was always very physically active, including teaching exercise classes up until this past summer!! He had been diagnosed with Leukemia. They did a low dose of Chemo and when we talked to him about a month ago, he was feeling great, and was hoping that Jared would come out this Spring to hang out with him. So when we got a phone call the week before he passed away, we were shocked to hear that he wasn't doing real well. We will miss him. He was always Jared's "Buddy" and is the reason behind Jared's love of Andy Griffith. They loved to talk about their favorite episodes. They were able to spend a few days together, just the two of them, on a cross country train trip to Virginia to see Jared's father right before he passed away, and I know that is a time Jared will always cherish. We got to say goodbye in a wonderful way. The services were very nice, especially the military service at the cemetary. I was so glad we were able to be there to experience it, and to capture some pictures of it.

I love seeing a casket draped in the beautiful American Flag. These amazing men who served in World War II... there will never again be anyone quite like them.

Our kids thought it was neat that Grandpa had a flag over his casket. They really enjoyed hearing about him as a young boy, and how he grew up. I wish they could have known him better.

Grandpa was buried at Fort Logan National Cemetary. It's a military cemetary, and I love the precise lines of the headstones. There is just so much order and perfection. It's beautiful.

We had to wait for a little bit when we first got to the cemetary. It had been a long drive to get there, so we let the kids get out and wander around for a few minutes. There were Canadian Geese everywhere!

Then we got back into our cars, and followed the hearse over to where the military ceremony was to be held. Pulling up and seeing these two young men was so neat. I have so much respect and love for the young men and young women who choose to defend our country by joining the military.

And off to the side a ways, was a soldier with his bugle. Of course many tears were shed when taps was played. It was beautiful.

I cried as I watched the flag being folded. I remember my own grandfather teaching me the proper way to fold a flag. It has such beautiful symbolism, and it's such a neat part of a military memorial service. And then to watch them present the flag to Grandpa's oldest son and reverently thank him and the family... it was very emotional.

They had a small vase of flowers that the kids could pick a flower from. They could either keep it, or place it onto the casket. My kids thought that was so neat to be able to do.

Then Jared's uncle gathered all of Grandpa's grandchildren to present them each with a silver doller. Grandpa always had a silver dollar, and they found a whole jar of them in his apartment. Enough for all of the cousins to have. He also gave them some advice that Grandpa would have liked them to know.  

This was such a short, fast trip, but it was so worth it. It was neat to see all of Jared's cousins that we haven't seen for a long time, and two of his brothers and his mom, and to be able to bid farewell to such a wonderful Grandfather. I am so grateful that I have a knowledge of the Lord's Plan of Salvation. I know that Grandpa has been reuinted with his sweet wife, who left him a few years ago, and also that he is with other loved ones who have gone on before. I also know that we will one day be able to see him again. We will miss you Grandpa Schafer!