We Lost Our Son
- Thread starter jimtoo
- Start date
katkens-DW
Founding Illinios Chapter Leader-retired
Hugs and prayers to you and Bette and your family !
jimtoo
Moderator
We want to say a big Thank You to everyone for all the prayers and condolences. It has been a rough week.
Today we had funeral services at our First Methodist church. The services were out of this world. Our son, Joe, was a member of the Legacy Vets Motorcycle club. I had informed a couple of his friends what had happened and they ask if they could come and help. Of course I replied Yes. I was contacted by their Chaplin for Texas and they wanted to make sure it was OK for a few of the members to attend which of course I agreed to. Bette contacted the preacher and they worked out program. By a few attending we guessed 20-25 and we were contacted by church members and they were told about the vets coming and food was mentioned. So I contacted the Chaplin and invited them to our house before the services so I could see how many and provide some snacks. Well the ladies of the church heard about them coming to our house early and brought food like .... stacks and stacks of food. One lady went to Subway and brought in 48 subs with the dressing separate. Another lady brought over about a gallon tuna fish and stuff. We were covered up with food.
Then they started arriving at our house...one,, two.,then ten...after about 25 or so all pulled in and parked we met and started talking,,,oh.. we have more coming... we ended up with about 75 motorcycles and 5 cars,, mostly bikes and about half brought their wife also. Some came from Missouri, Oklahoma, Lousianna and from West Texas, Dallas area and East Texas. I called the Sheriff's Office and informed them about what was going on,,, because you don't normally see about 75 bikers all dressed in leathers and club logos in a small town. So they were in the house, around the yard, every where. They started arriving at 11;30am or so and were all here by 12;30. So it was time to eat and they knew how to do it. The biker ladies set it up.. they came around and came in the back door,, made their plate and went out the front door. Some of the older ones stayed inside and it was a wonderful experience. The ladies cleaned up and the men made sure not a single piece of trash was left,,, it was just a great thing.
Service's were to start at 3pm and family was to be at church about 2;15... so the guys said they would escort us down to the church. Well it's not to far, but when you have about 75 bikers escorting you and they stopped the traffic even on the main street for all to cross...it was something else.
We, family members, went in church and checked things out, made sure of how arrangements were set. And then we visited with Joe one more time. When services started the church minister said a prayer, song was sang, short talk was given. Then the Legacy Vets Chaplin took over. Prayer, a talk,, a little preaching and then a few of the guys came up and told a story or two about Joe and their experiences. Joe's 2 daughters can sing, but I had no idea they were so good. The two girls sang a song and almost everyone was crying when they finished. Then Katie ask to talk... well it was a poem actually that she had written. She had everyone crying before she was finished,,, the vets,,, the preacher,,, everyone had tears. It was the most beautiful thing I have heard. She promised me she would give me a copy of it and when she does I will post it here. Then another song or two and prayers and visiting with everyone. Then the hard part... we visited with Joe one last time and closed the casket.
Then,,, more food in the fellowship hall for everyone and another almost 2 hours of visiting. I knew Joe always called his buddies "Brother".. you are a brother if your accepted into the club,, they are all brothers and they say we are now their brothers. They are the nicest bunch of men I have ever been around... and yes,,, they all have tattoos and ride bikes.
I am sorry I have been long winded about this, but until you witness something like this brotherhood you would not believe it happens.
We will be having a military graveside service Monday morning in Corpus Christi at the Veteran's Memorial Cemetery. It is a short military service with gun salute and flag ceremony.
Thanks again for all the prayers and thoughts.
Jim and Bette
Today we had funeral services at our First Methodist church. The services were out of this world. Our son, Joe, was a member of the Legacy Vets Motorcycle club. I had informed a couple of his friends what had happened and they ask if they could come and help. Of course I replied Yes. I was contacted by their Chaplin for Texas and they wanted to make sure it was OK for a few of the members to attend which of course I agreed to. Bette contacted the preacher and they worked out program. By a few attending we guessed 20-25 and we were contacted by church members and they were told about the vets coming and food was mentioned. So I contacted the Chaplin and invited them to our house before the services so I could see how many and provide some snacks. Well the ladies of the church heard about them coming to our house early and brought food like .... stacks and stacks of food. One lady went to Subway and brought in 48 subs with the dressing separate. Another lady brought over about a gallon tuna fish and stuff. We were covered up with food.
Then they started arriving at our house...one,, two.,then ten...after about 25 or so all pulled in and parked we met and started talking,,,oh.. we have more coming... we ended up with about 75 motorcycles and 5 cars,, mostly bikes and about half brought their wife also. Some came from Missouri, Oklahoma, Lousianna and from West Texas, Dallas area and East Texas. I called the Sheriff's Office and informed them about what was going on,,, because you don't normally see about 75 bikers all dressed in leathers and club logos in a small town. So they were in the house, around the yard, every where. They started arriving at 11;30am or so and were all here by 12;30. So it was time to eat and they knew how to do it. The biker ladies set it up.. they came around and came in the back door,, made their plate and went out the front door. Some of the older ones stayed inside and it was a wonderful experience. The ladies cleaned up and the men made sure not a single piece of trash was left,,, it was just a great thing.
Service's were to start at 3pm and family was to be at church about 2;15... so the guys said they would escort us down to the church. Well it's not to far, but when you have about 75 bikers escorting you and they stopped the traffic even on the main street for all to cross...it was something else.
We, family members, went in church and checked things out, made sure of how arrangements were set. And then we visited with Joe one more time. When services started the church minister said a prayer, song was sang, short talk was given. Then the Legacy Vets Chaplin took over. Prayer, a talk,, a little preaching and then a few of the guys came up and told a story or two about Joe and their experiences. Joe's 2 daughters can sing, but I had no idea they were so good. The two girls sang a song and almost everyone was crying when they finished. Then Katie ask to talk... well it was a poem actually that she had written. She had everyone crying before she was finished,,, the vets,,, the preacher,,, everyone had tears. It was the most beautiful thing I have heard. She promised me she would give me a copy of it and when she does I will post it here. Then another song or two and prayers and visiting with everyone. Then the hard part... we visited with Joe one last time and closed the casket.
Then,,, more food in the fellowship hall for everyone and another almost 2 hours of visiting. I knew Joe always called his buddies "Brother".. you are a brother if your accepted into the club,, they are all brothers and they say we are now their brothers. They are the nicest bunch of men I have ever been around... and yes,,, they all have tattoos and ride bikes.
I am sorry I have been long winded about this, but until you witness something like this brotherhood you would not believe it happens.
We will be having a military graveside service Monday morning in Corpus Christi at the Veteran's Memorial Cemetery. It is a short military service with gun salute and flag ceremony.
Thanks again for all the prayers and thoughts.
Jim and Bette
jassson007
Founding Louisiana Chapter Leaders-Retired
Sounds like a very beautiful service Jim. Jo and I are still praying for you and Mrs Bette and the rest of the family.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
wdk450
Well-known member
Jim and Bette:
A whole lotta love in action going on for Joe. The world as it should be. Peace.
terribruce
retired Oregon Chapter Leaders
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Hearts and Prayers go out to you.
