What a day. Rounding the corner into the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno,CA as your going thru the gate you are looking at grassy hill with the flag pole a top. Thought I was doing good till I noticed the flag was at half staff and honor guards preparing. Greeting guests seemed to quell the emotions. Some of the guests I haven't seen for 45 years , lots of catching up to do. The priest shows up and as I'm greeting him I realize he is the same priest the gave my father Annointing of the ILL formerly known as Last Rites. Military honors came first , I think when he played TAPS everyone in the chapel seemed to loose their composure. A seriously talented horn player , absolutely perfect made you weak in the knees. Followed by the Flag Folding and Presentation, to my brother. All in front of a table holding his photos, military hat, dog tags ,medals & misc items. I've been to several memorials here before but this was my first military funeral. A very emotionally moving experience  that I felt needed to be shared. He is in good company,buried not far from his cousin and not to far from Admiral Nimitz and 140,000 other serviceman.

Thanks for reading and replies

Goodspeed Poppa Ruttly

As a child I was in the Cub Scouts , 2 different troops of scouts would arrive at that cemetery at 2:30 in the morning , about 50 of us would put a flag on every grave of the 161 acres and be done before sun up and remain there for Memorial Day Services. Setting up tables & chairs then removing it all at the end of the day. It made for a real long day,but no one let it show and no one complained. I grew up about a mile away and it was a honor to be asked to help. Little did I know about what it meant at 7 years old , I just knew it was the right thing to do. Every time I pass thru those gates it is a different experience but never a bad one , you may leave saddened but the sense of National pride and knowing you are not left alone to grieve !

Ruttly, My condolences to you.  It is hard to lose a hero.

Like many others, my father served during WWII.  European Theater.  He only spoke to me about it once.. when I told him I was joining the Navy.  And he said that was the only reason he was saying anything about his experiences.
He was an artillery forward observer.  Horribly dangerous job.
He was also at the Nuremberg Trials.
My military experience was nothing compared to what he did and saw.

Youzguyz , I have great respect for you and all the other volunteer groups that assist with these military funerals. Thank You. Funny thing is after the services I had gone back to the chapel to pick up all the flowers so the next service could get ready and I found myself talking to a couple on a bike that were in a volunteer group too. Where I live is about 100 miles to get to a National Cemetery, 1 south , 1 north and 1 to the west so any volunteering will have to wait till I retire. Till you have been to one you won't understand why myself and others so highly regard them, these volunteers are true patriots !