On Veteran's Day 2009, one of the best friends I've ever had went on to his eternal reward. Dick was a fine Christian man, dedicated Patriot, and the most quietly charitable man you'd ever meet. A widower for a number of years, he lived very modestly, and used his income to help those in need. He was always happy, and never complained about trials in his life.
Every Veteran's day he would walk the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery and pay his respects. This last time he came home and quietly passed away. He was kind enough to let me stay at his home in Alexandria, Virginia every time I worked in the D.C. area. He always insisted on taking me out to dinner at Lonestar Steakhouse or at Hee Been, a Korean restaurant. He was a Bluegrass aficionado and could really play his guitar!
When I initially became interested in learning about Catholicism, Dick was the first person I spoke with and he was able to answer my questions, and straighten out my misconceptions.
Fittingly, The last time I saw him was at my baptism on October 17th at Our Lady of Fatima here in Richmond. He took my family and I out to dinner at a nearby Italian restaurant afterwards and we had a great time. My wife and children loved him.
We will miss him dearly.
His funeral Mass was at Saint Mary Mother of God Roman Catholic Church in Washington D.C. It was an overwhelmingly beautiful Latin service. The following Sequence was chanted by a group of priests (in Latin) from a balcony in the cathedral. It was simply amazing.
1. Day of wrath and doom impending, David's word with Sibyl's blending, Heaven and earth in ashes ending.
2. O what fear man's bosom rendeth, When from Heaven the Judge descendeth, On whose sentence all dependeth.
3. Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth, Through earth's sepulchers it ringeth, All before the throne it bringeth.
4. Death is struck, and nature quaking, All creation is awaking, To its Judge an answer making.
5. Lo, the book exactly worded, Wherein all hath been recorded, Thence shall judgement be awarded.
6. When the Judge His seat attaineth, And each hidden deed arraigneth, Nothing unavenged remaineth.
7. What shall I, frail man, be pleading? Who for me be interceding, When the just are mercy needing?
8. King of majesty tremendous, Who dost free salvation send us, Fount of pity, then befriend us.
9. Think, kind Jesus, my salvation, Caused thy wondrous incarnation, Leave me not to reprobation.
10. Faint and weary thou has sought me, On the cross of suffering bought me, Shall such grace be vainly brought me?
11. Righteous Judge, for sin's pollution, Grant thy gift of absolution, Ere the day of retribution.
12. Guilty now I pour my moaning, All my shame with anguish owning, Spare, O God, Thy suppliant groaning.
13. Through the sinful woman shriven, through the dying thief forgiven, Thou to me a hope hast given.
14. Worthless are my prayers and sighing, Yet, good Lord, in grace complying, Rescue me from fires undying.
15. With thy sheep a place provide me, From the goats afar divide me, To Thy right hand do Thou guide me.
16. When the wicked are confounded, Doomed to flames of woe unbounded, Call me with Thy Saints surrounded.
17. Low I kneel with heart's submission, See, like ashes, my contrition, Help me in my last condition.
18. Ah! that day of tears and mourning, From the dust of earth returning.
19. Man for judgement must prepare him, Spare O God, in mercy spare him.
20. Lord all pitying, Jesus blest, Grant them Thine eternal rest. Amen.
