My father’s funeral was on Sunday at the Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin in San Francisco. About 175 people attended, including his extended family and friends. You can read Wade Dickinson’s obituary here. The service and reception went well. My brother Pete and I gave eulogies. My husband and Marian Brischle read Bible passages. Jessica sang “Amazing Grace” beautifully. For the hymns we picked “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”, “America the Beautiful”, and “Eternal Father, Strong to Save”. The Travis Air Force Base Honor Guard performed the impressive veteran’s flag ceremony with “Taps” played by a volunteer bugler from Bugles Across America.
When the honor guard member presented the triangle-folded flag to my mother, he said: “On behalf of the President of the United States, the Department of the Air Force, and a grateful nation, we offer this flag for the faithful and dedicated service of your loved one.” It was a moving and bittersweet moment.
Memorial donations are requested to: Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Community Outreach: 2325 Union St., San Francisco, CA 94123. Phone: 415-921-3665 (checks made out to: “St.Mary’s Community Outreach” and include “Donation in Memory of Wade Dickinson” on the memo line), or to the charity of your choice.
Images Copyright 2011 by Katy Dickinson and John Plocher
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