The honest, honorable, funny, intelligent and able seaman, a retired Navy Captain who married us, is gone.
My antannae were off because of the layoff, but something told me I had to call his wife, now his widow. We talked for a while and she’s OK, bolstered by three sons, their wives and a cadre of grandkids.
These folks were like parents to me, so when Jim and I decided to marry, we asked him to officiate, and her to sign the certificate. Capt. J said he would write the vows himself and I typed it up for him and made it easy to read.
All I can say is that the day we asked them was a humbling one. But the marriage has stuck and we’ll celebrate nine years in a couple of weeks. Last time we talked, J was in the hospital and I told him who I was and he said, “Oh, yes, I wore a nice suit.” And that he did.
I will do everything I can to get to the burial on hallowed grounds where he will be at home and later joined by his love, a story that may deserve a hallowed status and even storybook rights, not mine. Now my thoughts are with his wife and family and all those who serve and have served our country. Respectfully, Dee
Cooking with Dee 