Firemen’s Funeral
Yesterday was the memorial service for my uncle, and even though I had to leave halfway through I had to suffer through one of the saddest ceremonies to be performed at a funeral.
You see if you have never been to a funeral of a fireman, you wouldn’t know what I am talking about. I’m not sure if other clubs or associations do this, but the fire companies here perform this at all funerals. The engine company’s men show up, in full uniform. The stand at attention while the captain asks if all men have been accounted for. The sargent responds that all but the deceased have been accounted for. I don’t know what it is exactly, but everytime I witness that ceremony I just get so sad. Maybe knowing that it is the last call… maybe seeing such unity in these men, even though not all get along…
My uncle was a 3 time president of his fire company. He was a lifetime member of the Elks. He was a wild man in his younger days and he loved his drink. And now he s gone at 62… life is cruel.
