Hello, Uncle Jim. I’m Larry Jr., Margaret’s grandson. I’m sure you’re not surprised to hear that she married Tom Brennan, her childhood sweetheart. They had 12 children and 50 grandchildren. I don’t even know how many great- and great-great grandchildren they have—but as Grandma would say, they’re all good-looking. Your sister Nellie entered the convent, and so did two of your nieces. I became a priest, and so did a great-grandson of your brother Bill, four generations of religious vocation in the family.
I’ve come a long way today to pay my respects and to thank you for the sacrifice you made on that cold rainy day 91 years ago. The war to end all wars, as President Wilson called it, didn’t end the wars. There was another war just 21 years after you died, even worse than the Great War. But since then there has been peace among the great powers in Europe. America is now the most eminent nation on the planet. Can you believe that we have even sent men to the moon?
Anyway I’m going to bless your grave now. Your family loves you and is proud of you. You are our link to an important part of history. God grant you eternal peace.
Amen.
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