Memorial and Reunion In Virgina

Last week Betsy and I went to Fredicksburg, Virginia to attend a memorial service for Betsy's parents at Arlington National Cemetery.  We arrived first, and went to visit Betsy's brother Tony the next morning.

Bella, Tony, and Betsy at Tony's house.

At the end of the road is a path that leads to a reservoir.  Bella likes to retrieve balls in the water – in fact, she jumps into the water and swims out from shore even before the ball is thrown, knowing Tony will throw it just ahead of her.  Here she is returning to shore with the ball.

Bella returning the ball for another throw.

Later in the week more family arrived, making for a nice family reunion.  Here are the six children of John and Angela posing together for pictures.

Jane, Kitty's Betsy, Lucy, and Joanne taking pictures of the siblings.

(Left to right, back row)  Michael, John, Tony.
(Left to right, front row) Stephanie, Betsy, Kitty.

The memorial service at Arlington was held in the Old Post Chapel.  The chapel is located on the grounds of Fort Myers, adjacent to the cemetery, which is to the right in this photo.

The Old Post Chapel.

Inside the chapel well before the service began.

After the service a procession went to the grave site, led by a Navy band, a horse-drawn caisson, and an honor guard.  At the grave site the band played and the priest spoke again, then a 21-gun salute was fired and taps was played.  The service was concluded with Tony giving the eulogy.  We then retired to the Officer's Club for a reception.