Memorial Day 2017

On Memorial Day the girls and I drove to Greenwood Cemetery in Fort Worth to attend the 100th remembrance service at the Royal Flying Corps Cemetery, which is located in a section of the cemetery. That area is the final resting place of US, British and Canadian flying airmen who died while in Fort Worth training to fly during World War I. Two years ago CK was asked to fly his Waco over the cemetery during the remembrance service and we attended the service with Cynthia and her family who were visiting that weekend. This year he was asked again to fly with his Stearman and flew formation with one other Stearman and pilot friend. His buddy Chad was going to fly in the cockpit with him, but he couldn't make it, so CK asked Sofia to go with him and she agreed. Later, he asked if she could go with Olivia and I instead since he felt it was more important for her to be on the ground and experience the entire service.

The girls and I arrived at the cemetery shortly before the service was to begin and were shocked at the attendance. There were easily twice as many as the prior service and a good mix of people. It really is a beautiful ceremony and is really something special to attend. The girls and I originally stood with a great view of the podium. A young lady with a beautiful voice sang the National Anthem and CK and his friend came over in their Stearmans just as she finished up, which was the absolute perfect timing! CK told me that was their goal, but they were only going on time and weren't in touch at all. It was perfect timing and very moving.

We soon found it to be too hot in the sun where we were standing, so we switched to the other side of the podium and stood under a large oak tree. The girls ended up sitting down for the rest of the ceremony. Once again, the Irish priest who spoke at the last remembrance service gave a very moving talk in memory of those lost. The bagpipes started into song and just as they began, the F-16s flew over! It happened so fast that I could hardly even get a photo of them before they were gone! It was incredible!!

After the service, the girls and I headed to the local airport to pick up CK and returned to the Lion's Club across the street from the cemetery where there was a luncheon for those involved. The man who has organized it each year and has involved CK in the fly-overs, wanted to give an award to CK and his buddy for their efforts. The luncheon ended up being really sweet and several people came over to talk to CK after they realized that he was one of the pilots. CK gave a small speech about the importance of these services when he accepted his plaque for himself and his friend. It was really a special event. After lunch, we said our goodbyes and I took CK back to the airport. Olivia decided to fly back to Arlington with him, so Sofia and I headed home.

The program

The wreaths to commemorate the British, Canadian and U.S. airmen lost

The fly over of CK (in the lead) and his buddy

The introduction by the man who has organized the events!

A view from the shade of the crowd!

Olivia listening to the priest

Such a beautiful event

The placing of the wreathes

The bagpipes begin

The sword salute

The F-16s that were there and gone in a second!

The departure of the bagpipes

The gravestones at the end of the service

CK with his award and talking of the importance of these commemorative events