[DollyCali]

FReeper Heart of Georgia” buried her dad yesterday. He was a WW2 vet & she asked me to put something in regarding him. Here is the thread where she posted re: his passing & I have lifted various things from this thread for her tribute to him. He was her “dad” but he was more importantly her “hero”



My dad is Tech. Sgt. Burlin Ray Delaney,
July 12, 1927 --- February 1, 2007.

In looking through Dad’s military papers, I came across his discharge papers from the Army and Air Force. He served in the Army for two years, then transferred to the Air Force, where he served for the next 20 years. Anyway, I was reading the back of his Army discharge papers and couldn’t help but notice his accomplishments - in two short years of service:

33. DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS
EAME Theater Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star; Good Conduct Ribbon.



Also found this letter and wanted to share it with you. I'm sure all of the brave men and women received this letter, but I treasure it because it's from the White House, signed by the president in blue ink, paying tribute to those who deserved so much more.


(The seal of the President of the United States of America at center)

STAFF SERGEANT DELANEY

To you who answered the call of your country and served in its Armed Forces to bring about the total defeat of the enemy, I extend the heartfelt thanks of a grateful Nation. As one of the Nation’s finest, you undertook the most severe task one can be called upon to perform. Because you demonstrated the fortitude, resourcefulness and calm judgment necessary to carry out the task, we now look to you for leadership and example in further exalting our country in peace.

Harry S. Truman
THE WHITE HOUSE



The service is behind us --- it was a wonderful tribute to a man so deserving, who is loved by everyone who knew him. The flag covering my dad was a beautiful reminder to me of the great sacrifice our heros make every day. We sang all the verses to "Amazing Grace" (a cappella), and since George Beverly Shea was my dad's favorite gospel singer, a recording of "I'd Rather Have Jesus" was played.

The minister spoke of Dad's life, and he read out of the New Testament that Dad carried with him during the wars. My dad gave me that little Bible when I was around 10 years old. He told me he had read it through, and that it was what kept him. On the inside back cover, he's written just like this:

P.F.C. HOWARD O. ROYAL
LIVED IN SYCALAUGA
ALABAMA

He was in the foxhole when his buddy was killed. He made some sort of a ring out something of his. My mom says it was his mess kit, but I don't remember what Dad said about it. Anyway, with all the moving around you have to do in military life, the ring was lost.

The minister also spoke of the foundations of this country, laid by our forefathers, of Judeo-Christian beliefs, and that they shouldn't be taken lightly.

Below are the lyrics to a song that my dear friend Kay sang just as beautifully as Janet Paschal does it:


Another Soldier's Coming Home,
written/composed by Janet Paschal

His back is bent and weary
His voice is tired and low
His sword is worn from battle
And his steps have gotten slow
But he used to walk on water
Or it seemed that way to me
I know he moved some mountains
And never left his knees

Chorus
Strike up the band
Assemble the choir
Another soldier's coming home
Another warrior hears the call he's waited for so long
He'll battle no more
But he's won his wars
Make sure Heaven's table has room for at least one more
Sing a welcome song
Another soldier's coming home

Verse 2
He faced the winds of sorrow
But his heart knew no retreat
He walked in narrow places
Knowing Christ knew no defeat
But now his steps turn homeward
So much closer to the prize
He's sounding kind of homesick
And there's a longing in his eyes.

Chorus
Strike up the band
Assemble the choir
Another soldier's coming home
Another warrior hears the call he's waited for so long
He'll battle no more
But he's won his wars
Make sure Heaven's table has room for at least one more
Sing a welcome song
Another soldier's coming home…


My dad will be cremated today, and interment will be at the new National Cemetary in Canton, Georgia. Dad will receive full military honors there on Wednesday, February 7, at 1100.

I want to thank everyone for your prayers for strength, your encouragement, and especially for the honor you've shown my dad. God bless you all.

Heart of Georgia

[DollyCali]

May God protect your precious ones...

Our Dear Father, creator and Lord of great love - we ask that you keep the men and women of our military in Your protective care. May the families be immersed with peace and comfort as they proudly know their loved ones are serving for the things that are dear to all of us. AMEN



Following are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to

Billie; Dutchess; DollyCali;
The Mayor; GodBlessUSA; Aquamarine

jackv...............................Son gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey.........................cousin mystery-ak...........son, husband Inspectorette.......................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew Diver Dave........niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin............niece's husband sneakers..........................son weldgophardline.................son weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater.......cousin WaterDragon............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law kimmie7......................brother LadyX (RIP)..............grandson fawn796......................nephew ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons LakeLady....................nephew Spruce......................daughter Bykrbayb..........................son Leofl.................................son chena...............................son Hope and Glory..................son TheMayor...............friends'son Doug from Upland.......soninlaw homeschoolmama........nephew ariamne...................2 cousins mhking.........................cousin 911angelady.................2 sons Consort.................2 daughters Consort...................son-in-law gonzo...................friend's son Jen's Mom.................daughter Meg33......................grandson cookcounty......................son JFC............................nephew visualops......................cousin auboy..........................cousin painter........................nephew jrushing.............................son LoneRedRanger...brother-in-law Ladysmith.nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend MontanaCowgirlCop......brother nelibeli........................nephew Misty4jc.....................husband Colorado Slim..............nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews ProudAFDad......................son Alouette.............................son Katydidnt...........................son Zechariah_8_13....brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.............cousin PreviouslyA-Lurker........brother sheeza.......................husband kemathen7..................husband Q6-God..................twin brother Q6-God....................active duty Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne..........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells....................active duty LongCut...................active duty cjk...........................active duty Trish........................active duty ODC-GIRL................active duty AF_Blue...................active duty thumperusn..............active duty Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty veeceeque................active duty JRios1968................active duty NoLongerFreeState...active duty CMS........................active duty AlaskaErik...............active duty JemiansTerror...........active duty tongue-tied ..............active duty txradioguy................active duty OhioWfan................................son

ladtx..................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T.........................son Hostel............................cousin MozartLover...........son, nephew ak_daddoo........................nephew Dubya............................nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son Armymarinemom................3 sons american_ranger.....................son Himyar....................................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin boxerblues........................2 sons the piper..............................son Tiffee4Bob......................boyfriend TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son SilentServiceCPOWife........husband DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law Skimask.....................................son Palladin...............................grandson MississippyMuddy...................sister MississippyMuddy........2 nephews Kramster...............................stepson Socratic.............................nephew freema.......................nephew, son Azbushgal..............................son kimmykay.................................son NavySEAL F-16........................son repubmom...............................son wolfcreek..........................daughter JesseJane ...........................cousin Roses0508..............................son pmmd81..................................son SoldiersPrayingMom.................son WakeUpandVote..................brother Skyraider.................................son CyberAnt...........................nephew mrs tiggywinkle...................cousin Nadine...............................nephew U S Army EOD.................daughter thehumanlynx...........brother-in-law Earthdweller......................nephew Scubachick.......................husband ChairmanDec19thSociety ..brotherinlaw Anthem............................2 cousins meanie monster .........family friend PragmaticWarrior..........2 nephews Sageb1...........................3 cousins JulieRNR21.........friend's grandson SuzyQue...mom,2 sons,3 brothers weeder1...........................nephew IndyPendance..daughter,soninlaw fatima.....................granddaughter Lori from Long Island....soninlaw monkeyface...................grandson redhead...................grandnephew gonzo............................soninlaw varina davis...................grandson Rivendell.......................daughter W.W.Smith...........................son vigilante2.....son, adopted soldier NavySEAL F-16....................son Jaxter...........................son-in-law USMCWife6869..............husband AgThorn & Lily4Jesus.............son 2ndDivisionVet..........brotherinlaw 2ndDivVet.....former stepdaughter GrandEagle........................friend DebWisconsin.................nephew Anne of DC............niece’s, husband

[potlatch]

Prayers for Freeper, Heart of Georgia

[Aquamarine]

You've been in my prayers Heart of Georgia. May God comfort you and your family on your loss.
Will also continue to pray for you aunt.

[WVNan]

Great thread Dolly. I love talking about that time of my life.

Heart of Georgia, plase accept my condolences on the passing of your father. May the Lord comfort you and give you peace.