A Hero Laid to Rest

Army Sergeant First Class and Brother Larry Nelson was laid to rest in the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington on August 21, 2014.  Larry is the veteran we spoke about in our blog post, "tender mercies."  These pictures are of his.graveside service at the National Cemetery.

Left is Sonja Brown, Larry's daughter.  She is an active
duty Air Force Medical Technician stationed in Mississippi.
Right is Larry's wife, Ursla.  She is German. They met while
Larry was stationed in Germany.

The honor guard was active duty Army soldiers from Ft. Lewis.  The active duty people do such an awesome job!!

Military grave side services are so professional, so precise, and so very emotional.

The family requested an LDS Chaplain so they sent Chaplain Duwors.  He gave a short, but very inspired talk about eternal life. Chaplain Duwors is rather unique.  He was a line officer (combat guy) before he became a Chaplain.  Over his left pocket are airborne wings, and he has two bronze stars (a high decoration).  This is Larry's daughter talking with Chaplain Duwors before the service started.

This was a veteran from the Veteran of Foreign Wars organization.  From the medals on his vest, he was a highly decorated Army combat veteran.  He gave just a few short remarks - very personal to the family.

The honor guard firing the 21 gun salute - so precise. Each volley sounded like one weapon going off as the five soldiers fired in unison.

Immediately after firing the 21 gun salute, soldiers assume "Present Arm," meaning they salute while taps is played by a soldier bugler hidden in the trees. This is such an emotional moment.  A good friend of mine, a Marine veteran of Viet Nam, told me at his World War II veteran father's funeral, "that is the saddest song ever written!!"













Folding the Flag - done with such precision!!

Flag presented to Ursla, Larry's wife.  The wording by the soldier
is something to the effect, "I present this flag to you in behalf of the
President of the United State and a grateful nation for the service
of your husband."

Truer Words Never Spoken!!

     I have never been to a National Cemetery that I do not feel that I am on sacred ground!!!!