:-{

Deepest thougts and condolences go out to you and your family Marla.

Barry

Marla, Sorry to hear about your dad.My name is Ed I have posted a couple of times but I spend most of my time bidding and reading the postings. I too lost my Dad 4 years ago January 12. The loss never seems to go away put it does get easier.Try to believe that you will see him again.As corny as this may sound to some people I try to think of my fathers passing as a ship that is sailing off into the horizon slowly going out of view. You may not be able to see the ship anymore but you know that it is still there. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

My Deepest sympathies to you and your family. Keep your faith, be strong and know that all of us here share in your grief.

Take comfort in knowing he is now in a place where there is no more strokes, no more alzheimer's, no ill health at all. God Bless

Joe

Marla, my condolences to you and your family.
Ron

I've been endlessly trying to tie up lose ends and help my brother with finalizing plans this past week...

We will finally be able to give my dad his memorial service this Tuesday...it's been so hard not being able to have closure.

Unfortunately, due to the Military being on high alert, he may not be rendered the Military Honors that he deserves at the service...but I'm just happy to finally be able to close this chapter...I've been tremendously sad and can't stop grieving.

I wanted to let MAG, QBALL & EH3856 know how especially greatful I am for your wisdom and that I will be using some of your references in the Eulogy (that is IF I can handle it).

You all have been a great source of strength for me and I've come back to this thread time and time again...you'll never know how much it has truly meant to me, thank you!

Now, I promise I'll move on to much happier (or at least more jestful) topics!

Marla

Marla, Take all the time you need. Loss is never easy no matter what the age. Just look inside yourself and draw strength from the relationship you know you had and the ones you have now. Continually tell yourself you need to be strong for others in your family, (brother, Mom,..) and you will! God Bless You..
RJ

Marla, my sincerest sympathy for your loss.

If you cannot find a way to get military honors from the military directly, contact your local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). They are usually willing to come out at a moments notice to give proper honors. At least that has been my experience here recently and 17 years ago when my dad passed away. The navy could not provide and honor guard, they reserve it for retired military not WWII veterans. VFW came out with an honor guard, bugler and flag ceremony.

Again, our prayers to you and your family.

Marla,

I just read this string today and I wanted to give you my condolences. My father passed away 5 yrs ago on the 23 of Dec in the Phillipine Islands from a stroke. My sister and I flew out 3 days later to be there for my mother and to make arrangements for the funeral. Three months earlier, my mother had come to visit us here in San Diego and told us that my father appeared to be doing well. He had survived 3 previous strokes but they had left him bed ridden and unable to communicate with anyone. Before my mother left to go back to the P.I., she told me that I should think about spending x-mas there so that I could see my father. I had not seen him since he left the U.S back in 92. I'm sure I don't have to tell you how much anguish I felt not having seen while he was still around and how big of a hole it has left in my soul. It's one of my own personal "what ifs?..."
From what I know of you (from your postings) I know that you're a beautiful, strong, and loving woman with a very big and beautiful heart to match, you're family is indeed blessed. I hope when you relive the memories that they make you smile and warm your heart. I wish you and your family the best.

Harvey a.k.a. "kaikai"

Marla, this is the first time I came across this post Tina and I are Very Sorry to hear of your Loss... Your Family will be in our Prayers...
I lost my Dad a few years back and to this day I still have good memories to carry me on...

if it is not to late here is a site to contact the VFW in your area they would be more than Happy I am sure to assist you and your Family...

http://www.vfwdc.org/NVS/sor.htm 

if this site will not come up drop me an email and I will send you the Link page for the local one in your area... usahog at hotmail dot com

Russ (Hog)

Once again, you guys come through for me!

I am contacting the VFW today! Thank you!

....There.....felt that?
That was a big bear hug:)

My 18 y/o sister was killed when I was 13 and though it is different, the one thing that comforted me the most was a hug (sometimes nothing needs to be said).