I have been meaning to write a post on this, and had almost forgotten.
On October 2nd, my family and I were in Arlington for my grandfather's funeral.  He was cremated, and interred at Arlington National Cemetary.  He was a WWII bomber pilot, and flew the B-24's over Germany.  He had read Ambrose's book shortly before he died, and told all of us that it was very much accurate and as he remembered.
The reason I am posting is not to tell you all that my grandfather is dead, or what a great person he was, or for sympathy for myself.  I wanted to tell you all about the service at Arlington.
Simply, it was amazing.  I don't know how many of you have been to a funeral service at Arlington, but it is a major event.  There must have been at least 50 Airforce personnell involved; hell they outnumbered my family!
There was a horse drawn carriage, with a flag draped casket that carried the urn with his ashes in it.  We followed this carriage, with an honor guard, down to the place where they inter the ashes (I forget the proper name of the structure).  At this point the ashes were carried up to a small gazebo, where the ceremony was held.  There they folded the flag, a few words were said, and there was a 21 gun salute.  We then walked back to the crypt, where my grandmother placed the urn with the ashes inside.  A few more words were said, and the service was over.
I really am not doing the whole thing justice, but suffice it to say it was an amazing experience, and certainly befitting all who did what they did in our armed services.

Watch the movie "Gardens of Stone" sometime...

I am glad to hear that, [b]norman74[/b].

You did not come for sympathy, but I give it anyway.  God bless you and yours, and my deepest gratitude for the actions of your grandfather.

My family and I thank your Grandfather's courage and strength.

I will recall him as I drive past Arlington daily.

Our thanks will never end.

          the Wofse/Silverstein/Fontanez family