June 10th, Dad is
Laid to Rest

On Friday, June 10th, a military funeral was conducted at the Tahoma National Cemetery.

The entire program was expertly, patriotically, and efficiently conducted by retired military volunteers and Army reservists.

 We drove in a cortege of vehicles with ours in the lead (carrying the urn), followed by Don and Judy's van (since Don would be receiving the ceremonial flag).  Don was seated in a central place of honor for the ceremony.  Randy and I also sat in the front row.

Along with worthy remarks about the sacrifice of military service, there was an elaborate unfolding and refolding of the flag.  This flag was presented to Don, (and the one he'd purchased came home with us and will fly from our flagpole at 1228.) 

Rev. David Kratz from Fauntleroy Church gave very brief remarks and a prayer.

The Army flag was posted in a standard in front of the service behind a glass partitioning wall.  Also behind that wall were six uniformed riflemen.  An 18-gun salute was fired, six rounds as a time. 

After the ceremony, three shiny brass cartridges were given to Randy as a token of the event.  (And a big handful of the actual spent cartridges were given to me.)

Dad is now buried in section E, grave E10, near the entrance information area.

It was his oft repeated wish to be buried here and we are content that he has been laid to rest with due honors.

As was done for Jean, I created a web page for Dick.  In its current form it is, to my thinking, incomplete.  But life goes on and perhaps one day I will get back to update and  expand it.

Nathanael is Honored Again

At the SPU spring all-sports banquet, Nathanael was given his third team plaque in three seasons of Cross Country.  This one was for being "Most Improved (In Season)".  It was perhaps an odd award but since he ran 1st or 2nd for the team in many of the later races, it was certainly much deserved. 

Here he is again posing with five time world Cross Country champion, and now assistant coach, Doris Brown Heritage.

For my photographic contributions to XC and Track this year, Nancy and I got free tickets to the banquet.

The Rush to
the Wedding

With another wedding shower planned for the 9th, we are in high gear to get the house ready.

At the end of the month, Annie finally got her new bedroom door.  I tied it up and we raised it to the attic with ropes and pulleys.

On the 30th, the 2nd floor bathroom finally got a new outer door.  And more doors wait in the living room to be finished.

We pressure washed the south deck and Nancy and Nathanael got the first new coat of stain on it.

I've been filling up my basement office with boxes from the first floor.

A P.E.O. Wedding Shower

One Saturday, we went out to Hobart to a shower put on by Annie's P.E.O. chapter. (This month Jean joined Ginger, Susan, Nancy, and Annie as a member of Washington's Chapter A of P.E.O.)

 
JB Graduates with More Honors

At JSB (the Junior-Senior banquet), JB was chosen "Most likely to return to BCS to teach."  Perhaps that honor would have been more appropriate for Annie (who actually did it!), or Nathanael who was chosen as "Most likely to break a world record."

The biggest surprise came for Jeannie Beth at the final Choir Concert.  First she was recognized as a senior having participated in the choral program each semester in high school.  Then she was singled out for the Director's Award.  This is the top award given to a graduating choir member.  It was not a complete surprise, only because it was printed in that evening's program.  She does LOVE to sing!  The Belle Voce rendition of Mr. Sandman brought joyful tears to my eyes — as did the traditional closing song, There is a Redeemer by the Concert Choir and alumni choir members.  Here they sing We Are Not Alone.

Now Jean and Nathanael can both sing with the alumni at BCS choir events and graduations, as they did this year.

Our Last BCS Graduation

Jeannie Beth opened the  Bellevue Christian graduation ceremony.  She had the honor of giving the opening welcome and prayer.

She demonstrated her love for languages.  She said “welcome” in seven languages, German, Chinese, Spanish, French, Thai, Korean, and English. It was a great start to a special evening on June 16th at the City Church in Kirkland.

Graduation:
The After Party

After graduation, Nancy and I had agreed to chaperone the senior class on their all-night party.

First, the three party busses drove to a nightclub on Eastlake in Seattle.  Here the students played games, ate more, and danced to current hits.

Jeannie Beth caught a chance to dance with "tall, dark, and handsome," Nathan Michal.  She mimicked his moves so well it looked like they had planned this routine!  They had the dance floor to themselves and the other students applauded their efforts.  It will surely be one of those lifetime memories. 

JB also participated in the improv that ended that part of the night.  She's not shy about performing.

Our other stop was in Mukilteo for racing and games.  Jeannie Beth is a safe and sane driver, unlike many of her classmates.

Our bus broke down on the way home so we loaded onto the other two and got back to BCS by 5:30 a.m.