Thank you all for networking this information.
It's 2330hrs here in Texas now - 2230 at Las Cruces NM - I will be making phone calls in the morning.
I am in shock.
FMJ's LZ is quite near my mother-in-law's current location and, although she is soon to move to be near us, he and i were going to meet up next time I was near enough for that to happen. i suppose that meeting will have to wait until I join in in that great cloud of witnesses.
According to the obituary, service plans are as follows:
A viewing and a rosary will be held on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at 5pm at the Getz Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be held at the White Sands Post Chapel Wednesday April 6, 2016 at 10 am, with a reception to follow. Full military honors and burial will be held at the Ft. Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, Texas at 2:30 pm.
Indeed, flowers or whatever Cathy would prefer will be sent.
Donations to the SS Benevolence Fund designated for FMJ will also be passed along.
***** I would recommend that this threat be moved to the Chaplain's Corner for open broadcast. Will another Mod please tackle that while I address comms with the family and Funeral Home. THANKS.
Heavenly Father,
We are again at a loss for words over the shocking news that a young man of our membership has suddenly passed from this life into his eternal reward with You. While we rejoice in his elevation to that high and perfect transition, we also feel the void that his departure has left in the lives and hearts he has left behind. Thank you for allowing Ed to have been a part of this internet family, for his contributions here and for the way he always conducted himself for his fellow man. Lord, You know how I personally counted him as a brother, as well a brother in Christ.
Send upon his family Your Holy Spirit. Bring to all who knew and loved him as he walked this earth a peace that surpasses understanding. Though we here do not know the cause of his physical death, let us all be reminded that our presence in this life is but a moment in time and that we must, in the long run, be more prepared for our eternal destinations than we are anchored to anything of this earth.
Thank You for leading Ed to serve his country, for teaching him to lead his family in faith, and for his having given so much all through life - leaving his mark upon many he trained to follow in his footprints.
May Your influence and presence in Ed's life be always his legacy.
In Jesus' name we pray.
AMEN.