Funeral
zumbaforever
Posts: 7,194 Member
I wish I had the gift to write like Chris & Paula.
Large church.
There were over a hundred officers from my department. All in dress uniform. And representatives of several other counties and also some from the highway patrol and several other city departments. Carbon and Converse county officers took over the duties of our officers in outlying areas. There was so much support shown.
Lt. Jerry Clark was much loved and respected in Wyoming. He was also a humble man and taught Sunday school in his church. He started a GED program in the jail for inmates. He also started a Bible study group on Thursdays for the inmates. Several priest's volunteered to come.
The service was heart warming and there was not a dry eye there. We lined up and saluted as the family and flag proceeded into the church. It was a double line we formed for them. And we held our salute until the flag passed. Then we went into the church and found our seats. Towards the end two deputies unfolded the flag, then snapped it open. It was beautiful. Then two more stepped forward and it was folded and given to his wife Maggie by a fifth deputy. Then all uniformed officers rose and saluted again while last call for County 5 was given by dispatch. County 5 was Jerry Clark. Last call is when dispatch calls for him 3 times over all the present officers radios for all to hear. I cannot remember the rest of what dispatch said. I was trying hard not to cry. Then we all filed up to say our goodbyes. I kissed two fingers and placed them on his urn. Then we filed past out into the atrium. Maggie hugged me and said thank you, how what we did was so appreciated. There were 4 bagpipes being played during the presentation of the flag. One was a girl! Maggie told Rocky that he needed to have another barbecue soon.
It was a solemn occasion. One that brought brothers and sisters in arms together from all over Wyoming. It was also full of love, some smiles, and tears and many hugs. And much story telling.
Thanks my friends for letting me tell you a part of my life.
Shelley
Large church.
There were over a hundred officers from my department. All in dress uniform. And representatives of several other counties and also some from the highway patrol and several other city departments. Carbon and Converse county officers took over the duties of our officers in outlying areas. There was so much support shown.
Lt. Jerry Clark was much loved and respected in Wyoming. He was also a humble man and taught Sunday school in his church. He started a GED program in the jail for inmates. He also started a Bible study group on Thursdays for the inmates. Several priest's volunteered to come.
The service was heart warming and there was not a dry eye there. We lined up and saluted as the family and flag proceeded into the church. It was a double line we formed for them. And we held our salute until the flag passed. Then we went into the church and found our seats. Towards the end two deputies unfolded the flag, then snapped it open. It was beautiful. Then two more stepped forward and it was folded and given to his wife Maggie by a fifth deputy. Then all uniformed officers rose and saluted again while last call for County 5 was given by dispatch. County 5 was Jerry Clark. Last call is when dispatch calls for him 3 times over all the present officers radios for all to hear. I cannot remember the rest of what dispatch said. I was trying hard not to cry. Then we all filed up to say our goodbyes. I kissed two fingers and placed them on his urn. Then we filed past out into the atrium. Maggie hugged me and said thank you, how what we did was so appreciated. There were 4 bagpipes being played during the presentation of the flag. One was a girl! Maggie told Rocky that he needed to have another barbecue soon.
It was a solemn occasion. One that brought brothers and sisters in arms together from all over Wyoming. It was also full of love, some smiles, and tears and many hugs. And much story telling.
Thanks my friends for letting me tell you a part of my life.
Shelley
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Replies
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Thank you Shelley. You write beautifully and have brought tears to my eyes.
Paula
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Thanks for sharing. You are in a special fraternity...I respect you all so much.
Kathy0 -
Thank you, Shelly. Your story brought tears to my eyes, too. And, Paula is right, you do write beautifully.
Chris
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Thank you all. This was like a group hug from you all to me.
Shelley0
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