Memorial Service Yesterday

Rick-a-Roo · 12-09-2018, 06:41 PM

Yesterday afternoon, Kim and I attended the memorial service for one of our
church friends.

Bob Perkins was 97 y.o. when he passed away on Saturday, 1st. December.
Until a few weeks ago, he was still driving his Chevy pick-up around town.

He was a navigator in B-24's during WW2 and the Korean conflict. He worked
for the same company for 46 years and he and his wife were married for 72
years when he passed. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and
Air Medal with oak leaf clusters for his wartime service.

What was special at the service was a detachment of a USAF officer and six
NCO's which formed a guard of honor to present Bob's widow and family with
the folded flag. The six men marched silently down the aisle of the funeral
home chapel, and silently formed two lines of six. The folded flag was
unfolded and then refolded into the familiar triangle, and presented to Bob's
wife Shirley, with the usual 'On behalf of the President of the United States,
the USAF..." presentation statement. The squad of six silently right-turned, and
marched out the side door. The officer (I didn't catch his rank) remained at
the side door while a three volley salute was fired outside. Most impressive and
very, very appropriate.

The family didn't ask for this...I don't think they even knew it could be
arranged...it was arranged by the funeral home; all the family was required
was to prove Bob's service by showing his discharge papers.

Bob was a good, kind, Christian gentleman. He was also a gentle man with a
keen sense of humor, and with a natural ability to fix things and make
things. He was always showing photographs he'd made using his home-built
trick lens cover and double exposures.

He was our church Treasurer for 30 years before he handed over to me some
six years ago, and was a teller who helped with the counting of the Sunday's
offering.

He would probably have been shocked if he heard me say, "He was one
helluva man!"

baboon · 12-09-2018, 06:59 PM

An honor guard is the least America can do for vets like Bob. Sorry to hear of his passing Rick.

44044 · 12-09-2018, 07:01 PM

RIP Mr Perkins

500grains · 12-09-2018, 07:03 PM

I am sorry to hear of the loss of your friend, but he had a nice send off after a long life.

ColonelKorn · 12-09-2018, 07:05 PM

I'm sorry to hear about it. He probably had lots of stories to tell.
My dad passed away on Nov.29, at age 86,and we won't hold a memorial service for him until Spring, when our weather is better. My dad raised lots of Hell, and once told me,"You're nobody in this county until you've been to jail." I'm sure your friend had cool things to say like that too.

Bluntforce · 12-10-2018, 02:50 AM

4thIDvet · 12-10-2018, 06:06 AM

R.I.P. Navigator Bob Perkins thank you for your service.

10 Bears · 12-10-2018, 08:28 PM

Merc · 12-10-2018, 08:40 PM

Blessed is the Peacemaker,
for he is truly a child of God.

R.i.P. Navigator..

MERC

Boris · 12-10-2018, 08:40 PM

,,RIP sir

12-09-2018, 06:41 PM	#1
Rick-a-Roo Gaw' Blimey Limey Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Round behind the sleazy bars of Telephone Road Posts: 25,898	Memorial Service Yesterday Yesterday afternoon, Kim and I attended the memorial service for one of our church friends. Bob Perkins was 97 y.o. when he passed away on Saturday, 1st. December. Until a few weeks ago, he was still driving his Chevy pick-up around town. He was a navigator in B-24's during WW2 and the Korean conflict. He worked for the same company for 46 years and he and his wife were married for 72 years when he passed. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with oak leaf clusters for his wartime service. What was special at the service was a detachment of a USAF officer and six NCO's which formed a guard of honor to present Bob's widow and family with the folded flag. The six men marched silently down the aisle of the funeral home chapel, and silently formed two lines of six. The folded flag was unfolded and then refolded into the familiar triangle, and presented to Bob's wife Shirley, with the usual 'On behalf of the President of the United States, the USAF..." presentation statement. The squad of six silently right-turned, and marched out the side door. The officer (I didn't catch his rank) remained at the side door while a three volley salute was fired outside. Most impressive and very, very appropriate. The family didn't ask for this...I don't think they even knew it could be arranged...it was arranged by the funeral home; all the family was required was to prove Bob's service by showing his discharge papers. Bob was a good, kind, Christian gentleman. He was also a gentle man with a keen sense of humor, and with a natural ability to fix things and make things. He was always showing photographs he'd made using his home-built trick lens cover and double exposures. He was our church Treasurer for 30 years before he handed over to me some six years ago, and was a teller who helped with the counting of the Sunday's offering. He would probably have been shocked if he heard me say, "He was one helluva man!" __________________ zulu6 out

12-09-2018, 07:03 PM	#4
500grains Soldier of Allah Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Crackerland Posts: 31,688	I am sorry to hear of the loss of your friend, but he had a nice send off after a long life. __________________ Racism will keep you alive.

12-09-2018, 07:05 PM	#5
ColonelKorn High Priest of Honkydom Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Cheetahstan Posts: 9,554	I'm sorry to hear about it. He probably had lots of stories to tell. My dad passed away on Nov.29, at age 86,and we won't hold a memorial service for him until Spring, when our weather is better. My dad raised lots of Hell, and once told me,"You're nobody in this county until you've been to jail." I'm sure your friend had cool things to say like that too. __________________ I am an enraged asswipe

12-10-2018, 02:50 AM	#6
Bluntforce slug Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Allturd State Posts: 21,906	__________________

12-10-2018, 06:06 AM	#7
4thIDvet slug Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Astor Florida Posts: 48,498	R.I.P. Navigator Bob Perkins thank you for your service. __________________ God Bless Americas Veterans. All who are serving and have served.

12-09-2018, 06:59 PM	#2
baboon slug Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Out by the lake in central Texas Posts: 18,336	An honor guard is the least America can do for vets like Bob. Sorry to hear of his passing Rick.

12-09-2018, 07:01 PM	#3
44044 slug Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: swampeastmissouri Posts: 51,001	RIP Mr Perkins

12-10-2018, 08:28 PM	#8
10 Bears Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: E-Da-How Posts: 137,846

12-10-2018, 08:40 PM	#9
Merc Expendable Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Concrete Jungle NYC Posts: 23,819	Blessed is the Peacemaker, for he is truly a child of God. R.i.P. Navigator.. MERC __________________ Keep your powder dry and an edge on your knife, Know your enemy, know his sword - Miyamoto Musashi The Book of Five Rings Blessed be the Lord , my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight. My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust;

12-10-2018, 08:40 PM	#10
Boris Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: N Michigan Posts: 11,036	,,RIP sir __________________ The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.” Patrick Henry