REMEMBERING AND MEMORIALIZING BROTHER- CHAIRMAN CAPTAIN BRIAN CHARLES WELCH IN CALIFORNIA - AS HE REQUESTED...........

Today, at the home, outside on the grounds of Ken and Pearlene Munson, in Lincoln, the parents of Kim Munson Welch, the wife widow of Brian Charles Welch, his family, friends, colleagues, and believers, will gather for a Memorial Service, that has been planned as a Celebration of Life.  Ever organized methodically, as we always knew him, Brian and Kim planned it to occur, as he decided to have funeral  memorial services both in Dallas, Texas, and Lincoln, California.  Six years ago on a joint visit to see him in Dallas in the midst of his decade long struggle with ALS-Lou Gehrig's Disease, he asked Joe Gibson, Curtis Richards, and I, to coordinate and preside over today's event; just as he asked me to pastorally participate in his Funeral in Dallas.  Kim Welch asked us following Brian's passing last December 21, to make today's Service an informal, joyful, celebration of Brian's Life.  I believe we have done that, as Joe Gibson has developed a well blended representation of the experiences and relationships of Brian's 50 years of Life.  We will gather at between 11:30 am and Noon.  At Noon I will open the service with a Memorial Liturgy of Prayers, Scriptures, Preaching, And Blessings.  Brian's thirty year plus friend and colleague as a pilot, Pete Heur - will then lead the reading of the United States Air Force Prayer.  At the conclusion of Pete's recitation, he will invite Kim forward and she will be hand a single white dove.  Gently, she will release the dove into the sky.  Then a flock of whites doves will be released into the air.  A selected group of Brian's friends will then share their recollections of the facets of Brian's shortened, but multifaceted, and active life.  Joe Gibson, will then share some of the letters that have been sent in remembrance of commemoration of Brian.  Then Joe will invite all present, to gather inside the house for a Luncheon Reception, Pearlene has especially organized the preparation of.  The menu - Lasagne, Caesar Salad, French Bread, Red Wine, and Chocolate Cake, is the same meal Kim prepared for Brian, the first time she cooked him dinner, when they were dating some thirty years ago, at Sacramento State.  That meal has continued to be a mainstay for them, from then to now.  Brian was a truly remarkable man, and I am hopeful there will be a sizeable attendance of all who knew him.  Brian, We Love You And Will Remember You Always...........May God's Love Envelop You In The Sky Of The Kingdom Of Eternal Life,   Fr.  Troy