A Memorial Weekend

Well, this past Saturday we had Ed's memorial.  It was a nice, warm day and we had over 300 folks show up.  Of course, being out on the peninsula certainly has it challenges.  Apparently everyone else thought it was a good weekend to come out to the Olympics and there was more than a 2 hour wait for the ferries which prompted people to drive around.  So we started the memorial with a little over 200 people and by the end of the day I would say there was closer to 400 that made their way to camp.

Bruce Johnson was the MC for the event and did an excellent job with a beautiful homily regarding Ed.  There were remembrances from his father, myself, a co-worker and a friend.  I was the only one that couldn't keep it together.  Regardless, it was a very good service.  After the events of the day, we scattered Ed's ashes into the canal.  I say into because the ashes went straight to the bottom.....I guess Eddy wasn't going to hang around to have us watch him float away.  It was hard for his parents to spread the ashes but they held up well.  A large number of staff alumni were up for the day and I had a chance to say hi but unfortunately not enough time to catch up on things.....hopefully in the future we will have the opportunity.  Why is it that we wait until an unfortunate event for folks to gather once again?

I wanted to thank the staff that took their day off to help out with the event.  Although some of them knew Ed very few had actually spent any time with him.....but they are well aware of the benefit of his work.  I would also like to thank Bob Donegan, CEO of Ivars who generously donated the clam chowder for the reception afterwards as well as the Sinnetts who facilitated that donation.

We are off on our 5th first and only week of the summer.  All the troops arrived right at 1 PM as they should and we had everyone registered by 1:30.  Not our personal best, but the best this summer.  Good natured Scoutmasters and adults....hopefully that will continue.  The weather is great, warm enough to complain about yet still comfortable and more importantly....no wind.  Yes, life can be good.