Only my dad could have the honor in saying that people from ALL walks of life attended his funeral. Being a KVE officer for 21 years, it was not surprising to see KVE officers at the funeral home, although I must say I didn’t expect to see 30 or 40 all at once! My dad befriended the Amish community of Henry County. In the beginning of the friendship, it was simply an Amish man by the name of Alvin (who take of our horse’s shoes). Later on, my dad who take the younger men fishing and the preacher’s son, August, would come to my dad’s house to ‘work’ (work being code for, my dad allowed him to drink beer and watch Westerns).

My dad died 2 days before his 13th wedding anniversary, was buried 10 days shy of his 46th birthday and left us 6 months before he was set to retire. But, he sure did get a send off! I do not think he ever fathomed his funeral being held with such high honor. The funeral procession was escorted by at least a dozen KVE cruisers, my dad’s being in front of the hurse which held him....he even got flashing lights the whole way.

Now the cemetery portion of the funeral has always been, for me, the most uncomfortable part. But, none have felt so strange as my father’s final goodbye. A KVE honor guard was at the grave site, and while I knew they would be doing the flag folding...I did not expect the whole sha-bang. All of the KVE attendees, stood at attention on the hillside. As they removed the American flag which was draped over my father’s casket, I felt..numb. They stood at a sorrowful attention, holding the outstretched flag as the firing squad proceeded to fire three shots.....all of which scared the living %#@&#! out of every individual present. They then began to fold the flag, after which a bugle player played Taps. How strange a day, indeed. And this was simply at the grave site!

I have a weeks’s worth of stories from these past four loooong days, but do not feel like sharing them at this time. Except...a few things my family and I took notice of about my step-mother during this experience.


-For a woman who has just lost a husband she "loved so much"....she did not shed a tear. Now, she held a tissue, wiped her face excessively, and made moaning noises, but they were never any genuine tears.

-Maggie’s family does not hate me. When I was outside the funeral home by myself, or gathering flowers after the service...there were many hugs and exchanges of caring notions. They just could not speak to me when Maggie was present.

-Maggie has no respect. She stood by the casket the entire evening. Towards the end, she was standing up there....drinking a can of coke RIGHT BESIDE my father’s casket. *****.

-Maggie is still selfish and stupid, basically. She spent most of the morning yesterday, standing beside the casket, feeling along the side (INSIDE the casket) for things someone may have out in there. haha Silly Maggie, I am smarter than you. The birthday card I bought him is in his casket beneath his feet. I win!

-At the grave site, after the service, I approached Maggie and spoke to her without fear. I simply stated that music was a large part of my father’s life, as it is mine. And, I inquired as to whether she would give allow me to have one of his instruments. She then got the same tone of voice I have heard so many times before, and she got the " I am going to kill you" look and said, "What do you want?" I told her, "One of my father’s instruments" and she walked away all pissed off. She thinks I am hurt because she walked away with no answer and an attitude...yes, it was rube, I win again. I knew she would not allow it, but the fact of the matter was....I just wanted to show her she holds no fear over me and I will not take anything from her.



I believe this is the longest post I have every composed, but its not even half as long as the whole ordeal has been.


Peas and Hominy,

Hal-Hal-e Bee