Please note that each of these pictures can be "double clicked" to enlarge them. Enjoy!
Getting ready for the service at Vicki's house.
Video of the Patriot Guard Riders arriving at Vicki's house to give a motorcycle escort of Vicki and family to the church: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCO-FofOHHI
Pictures of the Patriot Guard Riders arriving at Vicki's house and the trip to the church, and flag line in Honor of Allan around the doors to the church:
Arriving at church:
I can only hope, and choose to believe that if dad can peep down from Heaven, that he saw this band of brothers riding for him, and it swelled his ego something big. He would have loved to ride with them in life. He would have been proud of all they are and what they stand for. Vicki intends to pursue riding with them at some point-with his restored/girl-i-fied bike.
More about the Patriot Guard Riders for those interested, here is a link: http://www.patriotguard.org/Home/tabid/53/Default.aspx
A few pictures of people arriving and just before the service started:
I might be biased, but those are some handsome young men right there!
It was a full house! Had to open some of the outside rows of chairs.
The Bulletin:
We all made our way and lined up outside for the Honor Guard gun salute, playing of "Taps" on the bugle and flag ceremony including presentation to Vicki. Later in the day she was able to pass the flag on to Allan's only biological son Gregory Allan Dahlquist.
Surrounded by family, with tears streaming from her sunglasses (and some really cute, highly sentimental, red high heels on) Vicki accepts the last honors from the military. Some of the guests walking up to the reception:
Pastor Brad made it into a picture (although blurry) with Jaime and Mike.
Open mic at the reception for stories and memories and last words to Big Al~
I appologize if some of these pictures are blurry or poor quality. I had limited available to work with. Thank you to those that sent in pictures! I would love to add to, or replace some of these, if anyone else out there still has picutres, please please forward them to me at RandiFayPayton@gmail.com.
On a side note, I thought some might find the following touching. On May 18th two days after the Memorial, my brother took the wedding rings of my mom and dad (as we all called them "the napkin holders") had them sized, put his sweet girlfriend on a motorcycle (Thanks Bev for the ride) and went to Tahoe and eloped before heading home to Washington!
Touching. Sweet. A perfect new beginning for their rings...I think it's fair to say I'm now emotionally exhausted! I believe with all my heart that dad is smiling. Really big. We did good and sent him home exactly how he would have wanted. Like the first person at the open mic said "we won't say goodbye" just See ya later.
And to those of us living on earth still-goodnight friends-see you soon.
~Randi Fay
