Today is the first Sunday in May, and that makes it Loyalty Day in the United States, rivaling only the Fourth of July for patriotism, parades, and enthusiastic flag waving in this small community in which I live.
In the past, I’ve enjoyed many of the varied activities that traditionally mark this weekend. But not today. Today I am unabashedly wallowing in my grief. While the entire peninsula honors and celebrates all those who are, or have been, in service to our country, I’m thinking of only one.
Rick was incredibly proud to be a part of the United States Marine Corps. Unfortunately, he broke his back while working on the electronics of a Gruman A6A (that’s an airplane), and was not allowed to re-enlist, or he might well have made a career in the military.
“Loyalty and duty” were important to him, and also to me. We shared a deep belief in personal integrity, and always strove to do the right thing. It was our guiding principle.
That’s why it was my honor to help him navigate his health challenges during the last years, and moments, of his life. I had made a promise. And I am content in the knowledge that I made good on that promise. All his wishes were fulfilled, right down the line. Every T was crossed, every I dotted.
We had spoken often of what he envisioned for this Memorial Service, and the Interment to follow, and he was amazingly specific in the tiniest details. He trusted me to do my best, and I did.
My next blog post will be about the Memorial Service at his beloved Venetian Theatre. The one after that will cover the Interment at Willamette National Cemetery, and then… then the date of my regular blog postings falls squarely on his birthday.
Some would call the timing another example of Divine Intervention as I use this forum to work through a little more of my sorrow. I miss my Marine more than words can say.
Semper fidelis: Always Loyal—on this Loyalty Day and ever more.