Lance Cpl. Castleberry

Lance Cpl. Castleberry's Funeral was held at 3:30 yesterday just North of Austin. It was an honorable day and one that reminded me of the sense of loyalty that exists. Dale's father choose not to read from one of his son's letters, for reasons I do not know, but he did talk about Dale's passion for and love of his country. He came from a background of servicemen. His great grandfather was killed in WWII and his brother is still currently serving as a Marine. His mother died about 4 years ago and Dale now lies next to her.

The chapel was full of people whose lives had been touched by Dale. His immediate family was there, extended family, friends, several Marines from the San Antonio unit, several serviceman from other units, Texas disabled veterans, and more. There were people there who did not know his family but were touched by it. A vet walked up to salute Dale with two leg braces on. A woman walked up to Dale holding the Marine flag, paused for a moment with it open in front of his parents and said thank you and then turned with the flag to Dale and thanked him. I brought Addison to pay our respects for us as a family. And to thank Dale and his parents for his son's role in our lives. In the back of the chapel stood three Vietnam vets clad in biker attire who tailed the procession to the cemetery on their bikes. As the procession left the chapel, there was a couple standing in their shorts holding American flags in support.

The interment was with Military Honors and shortly after Dale was saluted by all Marines, it started to rain. He will be missed and remembered as a hero.

As his father said it best at the end of his eulogy - Semper Fi Marines.