That  puffing outward I mentioned

Rifleman handing Mike first cartridges

Like I said in the first of this blog series, we skidded into Sequim late in the afternoon or early evening of Friday, April 22, with three different ceremonies to take place the following day - memorial services for Mike's Dad, who passed away mid-January.

The first event was the Flag Ceremony.  It took place at the Sequim Cemetery, with quite a lot of attendees - family and friends.  It was cool and a little breezy that morning - perfect for me, not so much for a lot of others.

Mike's Dad was in the Navy and as such was entitled to a military ceremony, always a moving tribute.  The military was represented by several Viet Nam era veterans - some were bikers right down to their leather chaps and jackets.  They were very respectful of the situation.  They presented the American Flag to Mike as he was in the service the longest, 20 years.  The others were in more formal clothing, red jackets and dark trousers.  They performed the 21-gun salute.

The day opened with Mike and I being  placed sort of in the front and center of things.  (Had I realized that, I may not have worn a screaming red shirt...I wanted to be somewhat patriotic..).  Mike's brother Bob gave an eloquent eulogy first, then the military part of the service began.

The two bikers brought up the folded flag and stood facing each other.  The one receiving the flag saluted and then came closer and together they began the precision ritual of unfolding the flag.  It's  not folded like a towel but smartly done in the traditional triangular shape with the stars facing up.  They slowly unfolded it, one fold at a time, You could have heard a pin drop.  Then, once the opening was done, they sort of snapped it out and upright, holding it by all four corners.  Just at that moment a bit of breeze came along and puffed it out like a sail on a ship - it was perfectly done!

I was reminded of the saying that the flag blows with the breaths of every serviceman...

They began the process of refolding the flag - same precision as before.  Then they came over and solemnly presented it to Mike.  I was in my rollator right beside him, so I only caught part of Mike in that photo.  His serious and thoughtful face as he received the flag.

Then the men in the red jackets fired the 21-gun salute, always a powerful thing to watch and listen to.  At some point, Taps was played - another sobering procedure. Then the leader came up to Mike with the first offer of the shell casings and then offered to those interested and all were given out.  (I don't remember them doing that at my step-father's funeral - the guns, yes, but not the casings.)  It was a nice and interesting part of the service.

From that  point, the military representatives left on the motorcycles and vans and we were left to mill around the cemetery and visit a bit.  But it was a very spring day with watery sun, so we dispersed till the ceremony at the Dungeness River in a few hours....but that will have to be another chapter!

I did notice that try as I might, I could not get these photos in order or even all in the same place, so I captioned them.  The donkeys are the next blog...

Almost done unfolding

The two "bikers" beginning the flag portion

Mike's brother Bob giving eulogy

Mike proudly receiving flag

An opening salute