Picture of Loyalty

Today a very dear man's body will be put to rest.
Today his loved ones and friends will gather to mourn and to celebrate his life.
Today his wife will shed many a tear and wonder how she can go on without her husband of over 65 years.
Today his legacy begins....

If I had to choose just one word to describe this sweet friend it would be Loyalty.
He truly was the epitome of the word.

Loyalty.
 Definition of LOYAL

  1. unswerving in allegiance: as a : faithful in allegiance to one's lawful sovereign or government b : faithful to a private person to whom fidelity is due c : faithful to a cause, ideal, custom, institution, or product

Synonyms: constant, dedicated, devoted, devout, down-the-line, fast, good, faithful, pious, staunch (also stanch), steadfast, steady, true, true-blue

Loyal to his country, serving faithfully in World War II and later in the Armed Guard. Willing to give his life, his all, for his beloved country and countrymen.

Loyal to his wife and children, through the years, through the toils and troubles, through the heartaches, and tears, through thick and thin, good and bad, constant, unshakable, a rock.

Loyal to us, his friends and neighbors. My parents have lived next door to him and his lovely wife for over 34 years. He literally watched me grow up and was my "other Grandpa".
 
Loyal as a "paper boy". Rain or shine. No matter the weather. Always shuffling his way across the yard to leave his 'day old' newspaper on my parent's doorstep. And not just once in a while, not just for a time. Day after day, year after year. Consistent, kind, dedicated, determined, loyal.

Loyal in his kindness to me and my family and all that were privileged to know him. So caring, so considerate. Looking out for me and my brothers, looking out for my parents, looking out for his wife and his daily chores.

A true patriot, a true hero, a true gentleman.
In a land that has long forgotten the meaning of those words. A man of generations gone by, that had not forsaken his Christian standards and moral upbringing. He stuck by the stuff til the end of his journey. He lived a full life, passing quickly and quietly at the age of 92.
He will truly be missed and inspires me to look to the many fine qualities that he possessed and do my best to emulate them and honor him.