I haven’t decided if blogging is a horrible waste of time, or a way to sharpen my writing and typing skills. I think I shall stick with the latter…

Last Friday was the burial of Mr. Davis. Due to the fact that he was in the Navy Reserve, he was laid to rest in the National Cemetery about an hour southwest of his residence. The weather could not have been better for the occasion. We arrived an hour early which gave us the opportunity to walk around and see the grounds, the Vietnam Memorial, and gravestones of our service men and women.

A group shot of the kids…

Ben and Mal amidst the gravestones…

One of the gravestones that dad found really made me think. He was born right in between Ben and myself…

A rare shot of Dad. No… he is really not that stern. He just looks like it…

Speaking of which… if you have not already done so, head over to my dad's blog. His posts are centered around the ins and outs of the Oakland Fire Department, and are quite educational. I don’t think he gets very many readers so he is considering withdrawing. Show your support! Get out there and vote! Wait… wrong topic…

And my other parent – aka mom - with the two youngest ladies…

When the time for the service approached, we all piled into the cars and drove to the outside facility where it would be held…

It was a short but touching service, with a few words said by a member of the American Legion, the folding of the US Flag, and the 21 gun salute. It was without a doubt the most moving ceremony I have ever been to...

Afterwards, the kids hiked up the hill to the flagpole that was flying at half-staff…

The flagpole…

The view from the top was simply amazing. When I talk about “The Valley” this is what I am referring to…

It is a 450 mile long by 50 mile wide valley, with the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the east (shown above with snowcapped peaks) and the Coastal Range on the west shown below. The cemetery is actually just on the edge of the Coastal Range, so a broad view was unavailable…

Departing the cemetery, we went to the famed Pea Soup Anderson’s restaurant just minutes away. I personally don’t like split pea soup, so thankfully they had a huge chili burger there to tide me over until dinner. Other people surprisingly do have a liking for pea soup as is evidenced by this photo…

Like father… Like daughter…

Outside of the restaurant there was one of those picture taking opportunities. How could we pass it by? Goose used to be skinny, but apparently after that split pea soup he got a nice round tummy. Ben must have downed the coffee, ‘cause I think he shrunk just a little…

Then Ben grew to look like Goose, and I decided to get some plastic surgery and look like Ben did. I am pained and Ben looks like he is thoroughly enjoying himself…

Group shots are popular in our family. Here are the Davis’, Mrs. S and Linds, the Davis' grandparents and the Hectors…

Mr. Davis has left a lasting impression on many people. I thank God everyday that we knew him.