After Richard finished his public education, he entered the Navy where he spent the next 29 years serving his country through Korea and Vietnam. He was a parachute rigger, cockpit specialist and training diver, responsible for the safety of many of the men and women he served with. After leaving the service Richard continued to serve his fellow men and women as a civil service employee at V.A. Hospitals for the next 16 years. He is a lifetime member of the VFW in both West Virginia.
Interment services with full military honors were conducted at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas on February 4, 2010. Present to honor this American hero were honor guards of the United States Army and the United States Navy. Also present were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags around the interment shelter.
Three volleys of fire, representing Honor, Duty and Country, were fired by the Army honor guard. Taps was played by the Navy bugler. The American flag was folded into a tight triangle, by the Navy honor guard, and presented to the family on behalf of the President of the United States.
The urn containing Richard's ashes was, then, placed into a niche of the columbarium, as the American flag flew at half-staff atop the hill in his honor.
And, then the rains came.
Left to cherish his memory are three daughters, two sons and numerous other loving family and friends.
Sunset and evening star
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For though from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.
With thanks to The Gabriels Funeral Home for biographical information.
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