Gentleman, and Gentle Man.
Teacher, Veteran, Husband, Father, Coach, Principal, Counselor... Friend.
1918-2007
I heard a story about life... that it was "all about the dash".
The dash between your birthdate and the date of your death, and what you do with the time between those dates.
We will always wonder what life is about... whether we are making the most of it.
But I think I know what's really important...
And that is whether the world is a better place because of our dash.
Vandy will be buried today,
And for "Vandy's Kids" I want to say this-
"Mr. Vandermeer, you used your dash well! God Bless You!"
15 comments:
Thanks TD, for finding this video.
It's wonderful!
GB- I'm sure the photos are beautiful but nothing shows up on my screen. Just that little box with the x in it.
I can see the U-tube photo, but not the first photo - it has a little red x.
GB,
Love your thoughts about "the dash" and the Amazing Grace and Taps are beautiful.
Because there are so many WWII veterans passing away each day it is sometimes difficult to have the full ceremony at the burial. We were not able to have the 21 gun salute when Dad was buried but were fortunate to have "Taps" and the Navy present the Flag to my mother.
Bo
GB,
Thank You so much for posting this very fitting tribute.
He is with the person that he so longed to be with again. May he
REST IN PEACE
RS,
Vandy was watching over us - again!
SS
Can anyone tell us out-of-staters about the visitation and funeral? I imagine the church was packed. Who gave the eulogy and what did they say? Was there an ocean of flowers?.
Gee I hate it that he is gone but I feel so lucky that his life touched mine.
I am so sorry some of you are having continuing problems with the photos.
The photo at the top of this essay is the same photo that accompanied this post, so go there and I'm hopeful you can see it there.
If not, try this:
Right click on the block where the photo should be, but you're getting the "little red X".
A box should appear, and at the bottom of that box I'm hopin' you'll see the word "properties".
Left click that, and another box should appear with a bunch of technical jargon in it, including the words, "Address: (URL)".
If you copy and paste that address in your search window, it should open a new window with the picture in it.
Try, and let me know if any of this works.
(And by the way, it works with MOST pictures you'll see on the internet!)
GB, I edited the post,tinkered around behind the curtain, so to speak, copied, saved as, and re-uploaded the photo. I have no idea why it worked after I did that because I know it's about the same thing that you did!
It's a GREAT photo!
I got to the Hall around 2:45 Sunday. There was a crowd building and people were already streaming thru. The viewing wasn't slated to begin until 3:00. Mr. Clements was greeting people at the door. A true friend and confidant to Vandy for many years. It looked as if he'd had a rough couple of days. The hall is large and it seemed to handle the large number of people fairly well. The floral arrangement (from the Class of 65 and VandysKids) came from Madison Ave, and Dan did a wonderful job with that. Thank You, Dan! I stayed until 4:30 - 4:45 and there was still a steady stream of folks coming and going. By then, Bill had greeted a ton of people - but, seemed to be holding up pretty well. Bill looks alot like his Dad.
Not a lot of flowers - but what there were - were beautiful and fitting. Somewhere along the line, someone placed a tomato in Vandy's hands. He loved his garden and especially Indiana tomatoes. Another Class of 65 member led the service Monday. Gene Rund had been asked by Vandy several months ago to do this. Gene told me that he felt really honored to have been asked to do this by Vandy himself. I was not able to attend - but, I'm sure that it was special. A special service for a Special Guy!
TD, can you give me some idea what figures I should use when sending Dan a check? I'm SO glad the class arrangement was nice!
To all out-of-staters and anyone else unable to attend.
TwoDogs filled you in on the Saturday Showing.
I was really surprised that there wasn't more flowers. I expected to see him surrounded. It was the first time I had seen Bill I think since graduation. It is amazing how much he looks like Vandy. I had the pleasure of meeting his wife. She is a lovely lady.
Said she drove, but Bill and the family all flew in. She and Bill were going to drive back together.
Attended the funeral on Monday. Gene did a fantastic job, beautiful prayers, a little humor and a few memories.
I WAS REALLY SURPRISED AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ATTENDED THE ACTUAL FUNERAL. I was expecting to see the church pack. But is wasn't.
Wasn't able to go to the cemetary but there was very little emotions shown at the church. I think everyone knew that Vandy had lived a full life and as Bill said. He said he was READY? This had to be a consolation and made things easier.
Echo
To all that may be interested in sending monies for a donation to Dan for the flowers/designated fund for Vandy: This is such a personal choice and may be dependant on several different things - it's hard for me to put a number on it. The flowers have already been taken care of , so any extra monies will go toward a (near)future donation in Vandy and Margaret's honor - per his wishes. If we have enough, we can also give to the fund that Steve Lammert helped set up - This would be also in Vandy's name from the Class and VandysKids. The funds may be one and same. Unsure of this. Give what you can $5 - $10 - $25 - $50...... Thank You!
Sorry for the late post, but the week just seems to get away from me sometimes. I also attended the Funeral Services and I was caught by the Music that had been selected.(No doubt Vandy had a good bit to do with it) There was no music at first, and then when it came closer to the service, someone began to play an old Fats Waller tune "Ain't Misbehavin" on the piano. As I listened, the lyrics began to come to me and it really struck me.
No one to talk with,
All by myself,
No one to walk with,
But I'm happy on the shelf
Ain't misbehavin',
I'm savin' my love for you
I know for certain,
The one I love,
I'm through with flirtin,
It's just you I'm thinkin of
Ain't misbehavin'
I'm savin my love for you.
Jack Bedan (Spl?) spoke about Vandy and that Vandy had been his H.S. coach when Jack played football at Jeffersonville (1940). Several years later when Vandy left Jeffersonville and became Principal at C.G. he called Jack and asked "Why don't you come up here and coach basketball and teach". He did. He spoke very fondly of Vandy and at one time took a moment to compose himself when he spoke of some personal times with Mr. V.
Gene told us that one of Vandy's favorite songs as a boy growing up in Illinois was "Brighten The Corner Where You Are". The words were show on a screen and several people sang along as the music was played.
The last song was sung by a fellow with a very good tenor voice, soft and clear. He sang "Back Home again In Indiana" I had never heard it sung that way before, because it was much more like a Hymn; very soft and slow as in a final "going home". For me it was very moving and put things in perspective; a quiet goodbye.
There were probably 25-30 cars in the procession to the cemetery. The flag presentation and a 21 gun salute were the main part of the ceremony.
Most of those that went to the cemetery went on to Jonathan Byrd's and enjoyed talking and having lunch "On Vandy". Bill's son gave a very nice tribute to Vandy. I sat at a table with Jack and his family and another of Vandy's football kids. They talked about an undefeated 1935 team, it was pretty 'cool' to listen to these guys, just like it was yesterday. And, I can tell you that I don't think I would have wanted to be on the same field with these guys as their opponent; I have a feeling it would have been a very, very long day. Talked with O.J. and wife, Mr. & Mrs C. and Bill. Some of us talked about meeting on the 15th at B&Boards and of course about the mini in October. Guess that's about it for now. Just one final "God Bless Vandy" and the all the VK's, as we move forward to the days ahead.
DJ, Thank You for great comments.
I think the words to 'Ain't Misbehavin' says alot about what Vandy had been thinking of lately.
Who was the gentleman that sang 'Back Home Again in Indiana' ?
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