Our son Josh wrote this tribute after Nick’s funeral that we all attended on Tuesday November 10th. This will be the first of a few posts from our time together celebrating Nick’s life on this earth.
“Celebrated the life of my uncle, Nick Titov yesterday. He was a hero for God, Country, and others by serving each sacrificially with Love. A veteran of the Vietnam War, who was laid to rest among 200,000 flag laden graves of fellow servicemen and woman, including my grandfather, Rex at Riverside National Cemetery in California. Thank you for your service to our country Nick! Thank you for your service to our country Titov family. Thank you Veterans and families! Your service and sacrifice can never be repaid, will never be forgotten, and is appreciated more than you know!”
Sandals Church in Riverside/Moreno Valley California graciously gave us a beautiful space to have Nick’s memorial service and reception. My brother Tim and his wife Letty are members of this church.
This is my pop giving Nick his respect.
The Patriot Guard Riders of Southern California attended Nick’s services. The Patriot Guard attends Fallen Soldier military funerals to show honor and respect to our country’s fallen heroes, their families, and their communities, and to shield them from protesters. They attend the funeral as invited guests of the Fallen Soldier’s family.
Nick enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. His years of service were from 1967 to 1969. Nicholas’s job in the service was with Army Intelligence. He had obtained the rank of SP5 at the time of his honorable discharge
Our niece Debbee and nephew David delivered Nick’s eulogy during the service. They shared some memorable times growing up with Nick as their dad. We cried and we laughed at some of the stories they shared. Our niece Michelle sang “No More Night”. Our brother Steve delivered a poignant message about death. One thing I took away from the message is that Jesus is the one who rescues us from our body of death.
No More Night
The timeless theme, Earth and Heaven will pass away
Its not a dream, God will make all things new that day
Gone is the curse from which I stumbled and fell
Evil is banished to eternal hell
No more night, no more pain
No more tears, never crying again
And praises to the great, “I AM”
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb
See all around, now the nations bow down to sing
The only sound is the praises to Christ, our King
Slowly the names from the book are read
I know the King, so there’s no need to dread
No more night, no more pain
No more tears, never crying again
And praises to the great, “I AM”
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb
The Patriot Guard Riders escort!
A United States flag drapes the casket of deceased veterans to honor the memory of their service to America. The flag is placed so that the blue field with stars is at the head and over the left shoulder of the deceased.
The Rifle Salute.
After Taps has been played, the flag is carefully folded into the symbolic tri-cornered shape. A properly proportioned flag will fold 13 times on the triangles, representing the 13 original colonies. The folded flag is emblematic of the tri-cornered hat worn by the Patriots of the American Revolution. When folded, no red or white stripe is to be evident, leaving only the blue field with stars.
The folded flag is then presented as a keepsake to the next of kin or an appropriate family member. Each branch of the Armed Forces uses its own wording for the presentation …
“This flag is presented on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.”
The Rifle Guard delivering the spent shells from the rifle salute.
Riverside National Cemetery is a cemetery located in Riverside, California, dedicated to the internment of United States military personnel. The services are performed at one of several pavilions located on the cemetery grounds. The actual burial is performed at a later time. Because Nick’s funeral was scheduled on the day before Veteran’s day each grave site was honored with an American flag.
It was so special to have the Southern California Patriot Guard Riders take time to honor Nick and all of us with their presence and the moving flag line and then the great escort to the cemetery from the church.
I also want to add that this tribute and honor given Nick for his service in Vietnam was long deserved. When he returned from Vietnam back in 1969 he was spit on at the airport. Many people in our country who didn’t agree with this war took it out on anyone in uniform. This contributed to Nick never talking about his service until just recently when he finally opened up to his son.
My future posts from this day will include the many friends and family that attended the services.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 