[Editor's note: Some of the pictures involve military honors reflecting his USAF career. Pete said getting the pictures done was a challenge; thanks for the effort, Pete. I noticed that he was seated on the near side of Mom for a couple of pictures and asked who took those pictures; he said Janice (cousin (Uncle Fernand), Mom and Dad's flower girl). Uncle Ray and Aunt Phyllis made it with another couple of cousins (see below). I know Mom's cousin Connie is hosting Mom and Pete during their New England stay, and daughters Jeanne and Melina (with her 2 children) also attended.]
A later note from Pete: "The service was very nice and the attendance was pretty good with 27 in attendance. The picture of Uncle Roger during the service didn't [pan] out because the sun was at his back. Uncle Ray placed a single rose on the casket along with a peach."
Here's a version of the peach story, a variation of the forbidden apple story from Genesis. When Dad was 7 and Ray was 9, they were walking from Somerset to Swansea when they passed by a peach orchard. Dad persuaded a reluctant Ray that they should climb a peach tree and pluck some ripe fruit to eat. The orchard owner caught them in the act and brought them to a place where he placed a large pile of harvested peaches in front of them and encouraged them to eat their fill. When they were finished, the owner said, "From now on, if you want to eat peaches, come and see me; don't go climbing the trees and breaking branches..."
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| The serviceman on the left played taps. |
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| In the center, Janice, her husband, and Uncle Roger |
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| Dad's cousins Donald, Muriel, Nelson |
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| Cousins Celeste, Conrad (Uncle Ray) |
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| Dad's surviving brother, Uncle Ray (Emile), Aunt Phyllis |
