CONCLUDING THIS MEMORABLE, COMMEMORATING, MEMORIALIZING, SATURDAY JULY 16, 2011...........

Nearly seven months after his struggle  and  passing away, following a valiant and persevering battle with ALS-Lou Gehrig's Disease, 1 of 107, American first Gulf War veterans, who contracted the disease for some unknown reason; we honored Captain Brian Charles Welch's request that in addition to his Funeral Service, in Dallas, Texas, that a Memorial Service, Celebrating his Life, be held in California.  Today his wife Kim, and his loved ones, fulfilled his request.  Several dozen persons gathered at the home of his mother and father in-law, Ken and Pearlene Munson, in Lincoln; this afternoon for a few hours, and celebrated and commemorated Brian.  Despite the best laid plans over the past seven months as coordinated and planned by our mutual friend of thirty three years, Joseph A. Gibson, in consultation and cooperation with Curtis L. Richards, yours truly, and the Welch and Munson Families; our scheduled 12 Noon starting time had to be pushed back several minutes, because of an unexpected delay in departing from Sacramento, on the part of myself, Curtis, and his driver, Megan; who were making the journey to Lincoln together.  I was first up on the Ceremony program, after Opening Remarks from Joe, so our start time was fifteen to thirty minutes later than planned.  But from that point, the Celebration went swimmingly.  I led off with liturgical, memorial prayers, scripture readings, preaching, and blessings.  Pete Heur, like Brian, a pilot, who was one of his closest personal friends the past thirty years, followed with the recitation of the United States Air Force Prayer.  As he concluded, Pete invited Kim Welch, Brian's widow, to come forward and join him, and together they walked a short distance and thosein attendance stood to look toward the designated location; where Kim was handed a single, white, dove - which she released into the sky.  As the dove soared into the air, a flock of white doves, were released skyward, behind the, "pilot" dove, and they flew over the property. It was an awestruck, almost majestic, sight to view.  Next, Brian's older biological brother, Mark Welch, provided memories of growing up with Brian and the lifelong relationship they shared for the duration of Brian's fifty years on earth.  It was a poignant, but very positive re-enforcement, - of the power of love, made evident in family life.  Joe Gibson then shared some of the letters of remembrance that have been received since Brian's death, which underscored the decency, dignity, commitment, and constancy, by which Brian lived, as a college student, associated students government leader, university union assistant manager, air force pilot, and friend.  Joe then offered a brief presentation of his own recollections, which ever verbal me, had to ask to audibly add to; especially in regards to the relationship Brian and Curtis Richards shared, with Joe astutely setting up comments, that I could follow up with, tongue in cheek, and take a few pokes, at the relationship as a reporter, and managing editor, of the State Hornet, Curtis shared with Brian, and all of us !!!!!!!!!!!  To bring the Memorial Service proper to a close, Joe invited the assembled gathering to join in a small tree and wooded area,  just behind were the cermony was held, to take a small American flag, and have a group photograph taken of the event.  A wonderful luncheon of the first meal Kim ever prepared for Brian, when they were dating nearly three decades ago, Lasagne, Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread, Chocolate Cake, and Red Wine, that had been Brian's favorite meal; and a Welch Family mainstay on his birthday and their wedding anniversary, up until his passing, was served.  Our Memories of this truly great son, brother, husband, father, air traffic controller, veteran, pilot, friend, student government leader, fraternity brother, and believer, will make our love for him and the treasury of memories we share of him, an indelible, everlasting, part of our lives...........Eternal Rest Grant Unto His Holy Soul O Lord, And Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him.  Until We Meet Again In God's Kingdom Brian, May You Rest In Peace,   Troy