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Part of the problem with living so long is there are no buddies left to mourn your passing at your own funeral.

I have had two uncles pass away in recent years. Both, as was my own Dad, truly honorable WWII vets.

Uncle No.1 was in the US Air Force for 29 years during WWII and, as an encore... Vietnam. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross as a lead B-17 pilot and flew 50 combat missions over Europe. He received a 2nd Distinguished Flying Cross and a Bronze Star during Vietnam while serving as a helicopter rescue pilot.

Uncle No.2 was Uncle No.1’s older brother who passed at the age of 95. Uncle No.2 was in the 8th Marines, served in the Pacific and fought in the raids on Tarawa, Tinian & Saipan. He had received two purple hearts and, if I recall correctly, also a bronze star. He is now resting peacefully at Arlington.

Two War Heroes in every sense of the word. Each had barely a few more than family members attend their funerals. But I’ve got to give the Marines, the Army and Air Force their credit. The show of respect and honor displayed for each veteran’s passing was truly inspiring and very much appreciated.