…”Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
I Corinthians 15:54-57
Ray Allen Keesling (September 11, 1931-July 16, 2010)
Uncle Ray was laid to rest on July 23, 2010. We were blessed to be able to travel to California to honor his memory. We had a wonderful time visiting with Aunt Carol and with the extended families.
A Military Honors burial is a moving ceremony. We learned that it depends on your rank how many Honor Guards participate. Since Uncle Ray was a Chief Master Sergeant he was honored with 10 Honor Guards from Beale Air Force Base at his burial.
Heroes in Heaven
by Janet A. Norwood
Heaven’s full of heroes
who sacrificed their lives
in service to our Country
so that Liberty survives.
Uniforms of blue or gray,
khaki or olive green;
skin of every color;
young and old and in between.
They fought in many places-
spanning history and time.
Flags wave in their honor still;
in tribute, church bells chime.
In cornfields of America
or on Europe’s distant shore;
Pacific Island paradise
or Chosin Reservoir.
In blowing desert sands,
or in jungles’ stifling heat,
on Navy ships or in the air,
or Fallujah’s dusty streets.
It doesn’t matter where they fell
or if we know each name.
What matters is to know that
when their Nation called, they came.
Grateful for their service,
for the precious blood they spilled;
for their sacrifice and courage,
and the duty they fulfilled.
Yes, heaven’s full of heroes-
now part of history.
We treasure what they gave to us-
The Gift of Liberty.
I’m adding this post to Blue Monday hosted by Smiling Sally!
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
It’s so right that heroes like your Uncle Ray are honored by a military funeral. I’m glad you were able to be there to honor him as well.
Truly moving and so honoring to him! Thanks for sharing!
Wow…what an impressive farewell to one of ‘heaven’s heroes’. So glad you could join your family for the memorial.
I’m glad you could attend the ceremony and that the “honor” was fittingly given.
Beautiful tribute.
Thanking God for your Uncle Ray and so many others like him!
Very moving…..
What a touchingly beautiful tribute, with those touching pictures.
yes, military funerals are very moving.
A wonderful tribute in photos.
Ellen, my deepest sympathy on your loss. What a loving tribute this is to your uncle. He must have been a wonderful man. I appreciate his service to this country.
Happy Blue Monday and thanks for sharing…
XO,
Sheila
What a special post. A beautiful tribute to someone who served his country so that we can sleep well at night. God Bless him and your family.
Hugs, ann
A fitting tribute for your hero uncle, Ellen. I’m so glad that you were able to attend. I’m sure that you aunt appreciated it.
Happy Blue Monday.
Oh Elen, what a beautiful post and tribute to her uncle. The dignity, the respect, the pomp, the circumstance…how touching and your last photo of the American flag…Oh I loved this…today I took photos of our Canadian flag flying high in the wind.
God bless all of you and may you all be blessed and encouraged by his legacy.
That’s a great tribute to a true hero.
My Blue Monday.
What an honor… what a celebration… Thinking of you all, Ellen ((HUGS))
Glad that you were able to attend the funeral. I am very sorry to hear of your Uncle’s passing.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Debbie
Thank God for people like your Uncle…Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria
May your aunt and family be comforted with the knowledge that as the farewell – as honoring as it was – was surpassed in wonder as he entered his eternal home. May we all be found faithful and ready. Thank you for this fitting tribute, Ellen.
What a beautiful tribute. I have a lump in my throat. Blessings to you and your family.
What an amazing tribute. My thoughts are with you and your family.
heroes, they are noble and it’s sad that it has to end this way…they are all great, may he rest in peace
Such a lovely tribute. Thanks to him for his service to our country and to your family for sharing him with us. God bless.
My deepest sympathy. I have so much respect with people serving our country.
Very moving. You’ve captured everything so well in word and in photos.
What a blessing he must have been to your family. Our deepest sympathy!