Today I went to Grandpa's funeral. It was the best funeral I have ever been too! I would just like to say that viewing last night was supposed to be from 5pm-7pm but it went from 5pm-9pm because there were so many people. The line wrapped around the church and filled up the chapel and the over flow. People said that they waited in line for 2 hours and some came and saw the line and then left and came back. It turns out that my RS president knew grandpa really well and actually took one of his dogs when he couldn't take care of her any more and my parents have a puppy from the same litter. This morning wasn't any different. The viewing for today was supposed to go for an hour but it ended up being almost 2 hours because people kept coming. The family prayer was given by my uncle Archie. I cried really hard when Grandpa's casket was closed for the last time. They had distantly related family go up to the casket first and then had us go up next so we could take our time visiting with Grandpa one last time. Cassee put in some pictures that hung in Grandpa's room of her family. I wish that I would have done that! As we followed Grandpa's casket into the chapel... I couldn't help but think that he as such a loved man! Most of the people in the room knew him for his auctioneering, community service and many awards that he received. I was the first grand kid to speak, and I think that I did pretty well for going first...
All of the pallbearers wore black suits and cow boy hats. Grandpa's friend drove a horse drawn Hurst to take Grandpa to his final resting place. It was really neat to see the Sheriff's posse excort Grandpa while in the horse drawn hurst to the cemetary. It was quite the persession! We all walked behind the hurst and the posee so it definaly stopped all traffic. Imagine two horses pulling a hurst, with 15 guys on horse back with 1 horse without a ridder... (that's grandpa's place) and then about 100 people walking behind to the cemetary. At the cemetary Grandpa got honors from the Vetrans of Forign Wars for his service in WWII as an interpriter. The family got a flag to comemorate him and he got a gun salute with full military honors. What a guy! I honestly am so proud of my Grandpa Tanaka! I miss him but I will see him again!
2 comments:
Wow, Courtney I am so glad you wrote about that. That was a very unique funeral and I am glad I got to hear about it. I am sorry your grandpa has passed away but like you said you will see him soon.
Guess what?? My parents are from Tremonton. I know the Tanaka name. My grandpa is Keith Fraser. He was a pharamacist in Tremonton for 30 years.
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