Summer school was finally finished! What remained before me were the last vestiges of summer. Exactly a week of unadulterated, unencumbered, unparalleled free time.
Friday the 10th of August. What excitement, what endless possibility awaited me as I left my house and made my way south to Temecula. I do enjoy driving quite a deal, especially when able to listen to quality stories or music. In this case I was accompanied by the expolits of Napoleon, Snowball and all the other inhabitants of Animal Farm. The story is an amzing one, well told and very relevant especially considering it is an analysis and retelling of the rise of russian revolution and the Soviet Union. The Old Major is Karl Marx, Snowball is Vladimir Lenin and Napoleon is Josef Stalin.
By mid afternoon I arrived at the residence of Kathleen D. It was good to see her again and catch up. In the evening we went to the house of Christina L. for one final GBTV party before many of us go our separate ways off to College. Mrs. L out did her self yet again with another delicious dinner. We laughed and sang and played games. There was a over all "Avengers" theme. What can I say, some people really really loved the movie. (For the record, I find Tony Stark supreme). It was good to see and talk to all my GBT friends whom I havent seen since the Fling. For now though we go forth to all points of the compass, to college, to work, toward the next great chapter, to glory. I will miss them all. This 5 year marathon we have endured, the friendships and bonds of brotherhood forged, will forever hold a special place in my heart and soul.
"Surely the bravest are those, who see clearly what lies before them, Glory or Danger alike, and yet notwithstanding go forth to meet it." (Thucydides)
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Sunday, September 9, 2012
When the Saints go Marching In
On July 15th the Lord took a dear friend of mine home. Dr. Lyle V. Sladek was born in October of 1923 in South Dakota. He led a fruitful and productive life. The best part of his life as a boy and young man was documented and recorded by his youngest daughter in the book: "Lucky Stars and Gold Bars" which I highly recommend. It shows a different side of WWII, from the perspective of a young cryptologist, all collected form the various letters he wrote home during his service.
I had the great opportunity to get to know Lyle this past year as we attended the same church though I had first met him may years ago in my early youth, when I was given his book for my birthday and I had him sign it. Of all the countries he visited, Lyle said he loved Switzerland most.
On August 4th his family and friends gathered at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church to remember and celebrate Lyle's life. As we gathered in the sanctuary, the tones of "Ave Maria" and "America the Beautiful" filled the warm summer air. The last of the mourners trickled in and Pastor Frank began the service.
The Congregation then sang "How Great Thou Art", a hymn which reflects a simple yet wonderful trait that Lyle had, namely a straight-forward fascination with everything on God's great earth. After we had finished singing, Lisa M, one of Lyle's niece's read an excerpt from C.W. Leadbeater's "To Those Who Mourn". Thereafter the congregation gave thanks for Lyle's baptism in the Body of Christ in accordance with Lutheran Liturgy.
Jim W, a tenor in the choir and quite an accomplished soloist sang an adaptation of the 23rd Psalm, which incidentally is one of my favorite and could not have been more fitting. As Jim's words echoed out through the church, Pastor read out the 13th Chapter of Corinthians, reminding us all of the Nature of Love.
All in attendance Sang "Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound" and we read John 14:1-6. Now the time had come to share their remembrances and reflections on Lyle's life. Dr. Allen Leland, Lyle's four daughters and one of his son-in-laws shared, all of which gave testimony to a different aspect of Lyle's character and wit. There were tears of joy and laughter of fond remembrance throughout
As the final songs were sung, the Lord's prayer prayed by all, two US Army Officers presented to Pat, Lyle's wife, the star spangled banner. They then asked all members of the Armed Forces, past and present to salute as Taps was played out upon the bugle. The rest of us put our hands over our hearts.
The last song sung by the whole body present was "When the Saints go Marching In", which Pat and Lyle had heard at Joyous Funeral Processional in the Bahamas. With a tear in my eye I bade farewell to my dear friend.
I had the great opportunity to get to know Lyle this past year as we attended the same church though I had first met him may years ago in my early youth, when I was given his book for my birthday and I had him sign it. Of all the countries he visited, Lyle said he loved Switzerland most.
On August 4th his family and friends gathered at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church to remember and celebrate Lyle's life. As we gathered in the sanctuary, the tones of "Ave Maria" and "America the Beautiful" filled the warm summer air. The last of the mourners trickled in and Pastor Frank began the service.
The Congregation then sang "How Great Thou Art", a hymn which reflects a simple yet wonderful trait that Lyle had, namely a straight-forward fascination with everything on God's great earth. After we had finished singing, Lisa M, one of Lyle's niece's read an excerpt from C.W. Leadbeater's "To Those Who Mourn". Thereafter the congregation gave thanks for Lyle's baptism in the Body of Christ in accordance with Lutheran Liturgy.
Jim W, a tenor in the choir and quite an accomplished soloist sang an adaptation of the 23rd Psalm, which incidentally is one of my favorite and could not have been more fitting. As Jim's words echoed out through the church, Pastor read out the 13th Chapter of Corinthians, reminding us all of the Nature of Love.
All in attendance Sang "Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound" and we read John 14:1-6. Now the time had come to share their remembrances and reflections on Lyle's life. Dr. Allen Leland, Lyle's four daughters and one of his son-in-laws shared, all of which gave testimony to a different aspect of Lyle's character and wit. There were tears of joy and laughter of fond remembrance throughout
As the final songs were sung, the Lord's prayer prayed by all, two US Army Officers presented to Pat, Lyle's wife, the star spangled banner. They then asked all members of the Armed Forces, past and present to salute as Taps was played out upon the bugle. The rest of us put our hands over our hearts.
The last song sung by the whole body present was "When the Saints go Marching In", which Pat and Lyle had heard at Joyous Funeral Processional in the Bahamas. With a tear in my eye I bade farewell to my dear friend.
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May God keep in eternal tender care
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