Gerald "Gerry" Richardson was known around these parts as Stumpy (UID 8158). Stumpy died in Boone, NC on October 22, 2010. He leaves behind many friends. He also leaves a legacy of service to his country and his community.
This is a short diary. It is not a diary to stimulate debate or politics. It is a diary to inform and encourage participation. For you see, Stumpy will be buried in the Mountain Home National Cemetery in Johnson City, Tennessee. The service will be held at the Pavilion at the National Cemetery, followed shortly thereafter with interment in Section WW of the cemetery. The Memorial Service is scheduled to take place Thursday, November 18 at 1400 Hours (2:00 PM). As a veteran, Stumpy will receive full military honors.
I am not going to write a eulogy, since Sara R has already done that eloquently with pictures and music included.
If you have never attended a service with Military Honors at a National Cemetery there are a few things to know. First of all, be on time, but do not be too early. If the service is at 2:00, expect it to begin on time with military precision. There will be an honor guard of seven riflemen who will fire their rifles three times at the appointed time. Three times seven makes it a "twenty-one gun" salute. At the conclusion of the service, the bugler will play Taps. In the case of Stumpy's service, we have arranged for a bagpiper to play. The piper will play Amazing Grace and The Mist Covered Mountains for Stumpy. Following the ceremony, his remains will be transferred to Section WW of the cemetery for burial. The entire service will last approximately a half hour, but it will be the most intense half hour of your life.
If anyone is in the area of East Tennessee, Western North Carolina or Southwest Virginia, please try to come to fellow Kossack Stumpy's Memorial and Burial at Mountain Home. I will be there. I hope to see you.
These are the tunes the piper will play at the service:
Amazing Grace has a long and storied history. It is the most loved and familiar hymn of all time, and appreciated by even those of different faiths or no faith.
The Mist Covered Mountains was played at the burial service for President John F. Kennedy, and was also played at the funeral of the Queen Mother. Stumpy was of Scottish heritage and proud of his affiliation with Clan Gordon. He loved his mountains as well. It is only right to send him off with a pipe tune that evokes his beloved mountains, and is a tune fit for Presidents and Royalty.