Neal's Funeral....

 


This alone; I ask of you
that you act justly, love tenderly,
and walk humbly with God
Micah Chapter 6 Verse 1
(from Funeral Program)

 

The Funeral Procession

Well, I can't really talk much about the funeral procession other than to say it was the most impressive thing I've ever seen in all my life.  Most of the Beltway that we traveled on, about 12 miles of it, is pretty straight.  But periodically we'd come to a bend and all my eyes could see was a sea of lights atop more than a mile of apparatus.  I know funerals aren't supposed to be impressive, but Neal's memory and life was honored with great dignity and impressed quite a few people who attended.

Well, I guess I'm including these pictures to show the impact Neal's 
funeral had on the traffic.  The Interstate was completely closed down anywhere around the procession.  Police Officers over a 15 mile stretch kept traffic from getting anywhere near the end car and closed the on ramps as we got close.  Leave it to Neal to close the Beltway!

If you maximize this picture, you can see one motorcycle cop in each lane keeping traffic completely away from the procession.
I'm not sure how far the procession stretched for sure, 
but was told it was close to 5 miles or more.  

 

At National Memorial Park

All of these pictures were taken at the Cemetery where Neal is laid to rest.  

We were greeted at the cemetery by a wall of police officers.  I honestly don't know how they do what they do, but they made an incredibly bad day run completely without incident and I will never be able to thank them for that.

Neal was carried to his resting place...

Neal's Mother and I followed... 
and hundreds of people saluted the casket

Yet another picture showing the hundreds of Fire, EMS, and Police personnel
lining the walk to Neal's gravesite.  They were on both sides of the walkway...
And again, I was completely overwhelmed by a deluge of blue...

 

 

 

Funeral Pictures - Page 4

 

Aerial Photos from Fairfax County Police Department