I thought it would be fun to send a couple of pictures from the memorial service of my friend Colonel Don “Crusher” Craigie, Sunday, July 26, at which I spoke.
Don’s wife, Kay, his son, Todd, and daughter, Paige.
In addition to some personal vignettes, I included my observations on God and warriors that I shared here on July 24.
After I finished speaking, I received this picture from my son David in Atlanta:
David was watching the service through the miracle of livestream. When I got up to speak, our youngest grandson, Caleb, who turns two in October, recognized my voice from all of our FaceTime conversations. He climbed into the chair to see “GrandBob.”
What an age to live in. Our daughter, Melody, also watched the service from China!
On display in the lobby was this plaque presented to Don back in January:
Don was a 28-year veteran of the Air Force. Full colonel, fighter pilot, Wing commander, AND he was a servant. Often behind-the-scenes, the church recognized him for “Quiet work, abundant influence!”
And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10.42 – 45, ESV)
For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. (2 Corinthians 4.5, ESV)
What a joy it is, Bob, to see your smiling face, a witness to the hope of eternal life that lives within us, that overcomes the pain of death in our hearts and replacement surgery in our knees.
Thank you, Henry.