Unfortunately it has been a sad week here for Greg's family. On the evening of Tuesday, March 1, Greg's grandpa, Martin Gray, passed away at his home in Marshalltown, Iowa. Greg and I had just been up to visit Grandpa and Grandma Gray a couple of weeks before, so we were glad that we had that time with Grandpa. He has been quite ill for some time, so the one good thing is that he doesn't have to suffer anymore. Greg and I drove to Iowa early Wednesday morning, and it was nice to be there with all of his extended family. This picture with Grandma Gray was taken during the visitation (or "viewing," as I'm used to calling it) on Friday evening. Grandma was afraid that no one would come to the visitation, but there was a large turnout. She and Martin have been valued members of the community for their entire lives.
The funeral services were held at the First Presbyterian Church in Marshalltown on Saturday, and it was pretty awesome when not one, but TWO bagpipers played "Amazing Grace" as the casket left the church. Grandpa Gray served in the Navy during World War II and the Marines during the Korean War. So at his graveside service a burial detail from the local V.F.W. did the gun salute, and the Marines folded the flag.
It was a very patriotic and fitting memorial to a true American hero. It was especially neat when the Marines presented the flag to Grandma Gray. It was an emotionally taxing week for the entire family, but Greg was able to help out a lot in making the funeral arrangements. Hopefully the next time we get together with Greg's mom's side of the family, it will be for a happier occasion.
Unfortunately it has been a sad week here for Greg's family. On the evening of Tuesday, March 1, Greg's grandpa, Martin Gray, passed away at his home in Marshalltown, Iowa. Greg and I had just been up to visit Grandpa and Grandma Gray a couple of weeks before, so we were glad that we had that time with Grandpa. He has been quite ill for some time, so the one good thing is that he doesn't have to suffer anymore. Greg and I drove to Iowa early Wednesday morning, and it was nice to be there with all of his extended family. This picture with Grandma Gray was taken during the visitation (or "viewing," as I'm used to calling it) on Friday evening. Grandma was afraid that no one would come to the visitation, but there was a large turnout. She and Martin have been valued members of the community for their entire lives. 
The funeral services were held at the First Presbyterian Church in Marshalltown on Saturday, and it was pretty awesome when not one, but TWO bagpipers played "Amazing Grace" as the casket left the church. Grandpa Gray served in the Navy during World War II and the Marines during the Korean War. So at his graveside service a burial detail from the local V.F.W. did the gun salute, and the Marines folded the flag.
It was a very patriotic and fitting memorial to a true American hero. It was especially neat when the Marines presented the flag to Grandma Gray. It was an emotionally taxing week for the entire family, but Greg was able to help out a lot in making the funeral arrangements. Hopefully the next time we get together with Greg's mom's side of the family, it will be for a happier occasion.
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