Here are some photos from 1st Lt. Chester Jordan's funeral at Arlington Cemetery. Members from WBG were well represented.



Lt. Jordan's honor guard




Color guard




Caisson




Ceremony at the gravesite




BK and Mrs. Jordan (DOM, Dear Old Mom)




appell8 and DOM

My friend Carl has given me permission to copy this post from his blog, "No Oil For Pacifists."

I will have more to say on the subject later. My family could not say enough good things about my friends who attended, including a number of WBG members. I thank them all for attending, and for being such good company.

As I've said before, ceremonies of this kind are something that the US military does extremely well. Today was no exception.

(BTW, a number of WBG members not in attendance were remembered and honored. Among them, prominently, were DOD correspondents Morgy and Colonel Longjohn. Y'all were missed.)

Monday, March 31, 2008
Military Honors
Chester H. Jordan, aged 85, died last October 31st in Baton Rouge, LA, after a long illness. I never met him. But his eldest son, a D.C. lawyer, is one of my oldest friends. So, today I left work early to attend the interment of World War II veteran US Army 1st Lieutenant Jordan at Arlington National Cemetery.

More than 16 million Americans fought in WWII; over 400,000 died. Lieutenant Jordan was among the hundreds of thousands wounded. He served in Company K, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, joining as a replacement officer in July 1944. He fought through the Huertgen Forest and liberated the small Belgian town of Binche. East of Remagen Germany, in late March, 1945, he was hit by shrapnel, and returned to the States thereafter. In addition to the Purple Heart, Jordan was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star--and wore the Combat Infantry Badge, the so-called "fighting badge."

Originally from Texas, Lt. Jordan completed an architecture degree at Texas A&M (thereafter practicing in Dallas) and, after postgraduate study at Princeton, taught architecture at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He picked up a Masters at Harvard in 1960-61, then spent the rest of his career at LSU. He married a University of Tennessee graduate in August, 1950--a union lasting 57 years. I met Mrs. Jordan for the first time today; she's grand, graceful and gorgeous.

After retiring from teaching in the early 1980s, Chester Jordan combined contemporaneous letters from the front and later recollection into a memoir called "Bull Sessions." Though never published, his manuscript circulated among historians and was quoted by several, including Stephen Ambrose, in the Afterword to "Citizen Soldiers." I've read parts of Bull Sessions, which displays a flair for words, a sense of humor and history--and an architects eye for structure and terrain.

The most intense fighting of Lt. Jordan's war took place in the Stolberg corridor east of Aachen. Jordan and a handful of men found themselves in the outbuildings of a castle called the Frenzerburg (sometimes Frenzenberg), fighting a raid-and-counter battle with the German paratroops inside. While it ended anticlimactically, it resulted in Jordan's Silver Star and the Medal of Honor for his bazookaman, Pfc. Carl V. Sheridan--the only MOH awarded to a WWII 47th Infantry soldier. Sheridan's official MOH citation says:





“Attached to the 2d Battalion of the 47th Infantry on 26 November 1944, for the attack on Frenzenberg Castle, in the vicinity of Weisweiler, Germany, Company K, after an advance of 1,000 yards through a shattering barrage of enemy artillery and mortar fire, had captured 2 buildings in the courtyard of the castle but was left with an effective fighting strength of only 35 men. During the advance, Pfc. Sheridan, acting as a bazooka gunner, had braved the enemy fire to stop and procure the additional rockets carried by his ammunition bearer who was wounded. Upon rejoining his company in the captured buildings, he found it in a furious fight with approximately 70 enemy paratroopers occupying the castle gate house. This was a solidly built stone structure surrounded by a deep water-filled moat 20 feet wide. The only approach to the heavily defended position was across the courtyard and over a drawbridge leading to a barricaded oaken door. Pfc. Sheridan, realizing that his bazooka was the only available weapon with sufficient power to penetrate the heavy oak planking, with complete disregard for his own safety left the protection of the buildings and in the face of heavy and intense small-arms and grenade fire, crossed the courtyard to the drawbridge entrance where he could bring direct fire to bear against the door. Although handicapped by the lack of an assistant, and a constant target for the enemy fire that burst around him, he skillfully and effectively handled his awkward weapon to place two well-aimed rockets into the structure. Observing that the door was only weakened, and realizing that a gap must be made for a successful assault, he loaded his last rocket, took careful aim, and blasted a hole through the heavy planks. Turning to his company he shouted, "Come on, let's get them!" With his .45 pistol blazing, he charged into the gaping entrance and was killed by the withering fire that met him. The final assault on Frezenberg Castle was made through the gap which Pfc. Sheridan gave his life to create.“





The saga of 20th century New World technology taking down a 16th century Old World castle is so preciously romantic that I refuse to fact-check the award. Lt. Jordan was the officer who first recommended posthumous recognition of Sheridan's valor.

In a funereal drizzle, after a brief service at the Old Post Chapel on Ft. Myer, with a band and escort platoon, a trumpet blowing "Taps", a three volley salute and the installation of a wreath by the Government of Belgium, Army 1st Lieutenant Chester H. Jordan was buried at Arlington today. I never met him. But through his son, his writings and our nation's shared history, I knew him. And I was proud to observe and underscore America--and a town liberated by Americans--honoring Lt Jordan's life and service. The honors rendered to him honor us all.

Requiescat In Pace.

I don't post much around here but here is the topic I was waiting for!

As you may suppose I was not present in Arlington but I've had a lot of thoughts for the Jordan family since DOD's passing.

Won't repeat what I said in your mail Doug, except that DOM looks brilliant and with dear BK next to her this must have been a lovely company !

Except BK and Scott F, was any other WBG.com member present?

Great post from your firend, too!

All the best to everyone,

Morgane

I'm currently at work right now and can't post what I would really like to say (will do so at a later time), but miss Morgy, you may not have been there in person, but BELIEVE ME, you were THERE

I'm sure someone will post a photo of the bouquet of flowers with the (personal touch of the 9th ID patch) that Morgy had sent and created that was prominently displayed at the reception.

Other WBG members that were in attendance were myself and my husband John, Ed and his wife Lisa (iiiecpiii), Maggie (mjap), BK, and Scott.

It was a most high honor to be present for this celebration. Doug, you are so very right that THIS is one of the things that the military does well. A most fitting tribute to a fine man! I was very impressed w/ the representatives from Belguim.... most fitting!

Doug, how are your feet doing today? That was a fair walk! At least it was downhill.

Again, thank you for the privilage of permitting us to be a part of this celebration.

Ed and Lisa,

Doug Friend--
I don't think that I knew you had lost your father; I'm sorry in my lateness in that. I hope you and your mom are doing well. I am so impressed with the attendance of our wbg friends--further evidence of the trueness and depth of the friendships formed here.
Thinking of you, Doug...

Most impressive to see those photo's and read the posts above. My condolences to you and your family, Doug. From what I've read (and seen on photo's) your late father was a remarkable man. It's good to see that so many WBG-members honoured him by coming to Arlington.

Sorry I'm short of time as usual. I'll write this evening. But I have slapped up my photos which need adjusting, editing and captioning -- so apologies for the rush.

http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/hom...20you%20JORDAN/

It was an honor to attend Jordan's -- "just Jordan, all my friends call me Jordan" -- service. Meeting his lovely Mrs. was as much an honor. Seeing Doug again and meeting new cyberfriends was lovely. Needless to say ...

I'll check in later. BK

An afterthought ... For our Dutch friends, the Netherlands Carillon at Arlington

Doug,

I believe attending your DOD's Arlington service was, perhaps, one of the things in my life I have been most honored to do. I felt as though I were formally saying "Thank You" to that generation of young men who gave so much to fight the imposing evil at that time, and to insure the life and liberty we enjoy (and perhaps, at times, take for granted) today.

Your father had quite a full and productive life, and what a sweet and beautiful flower he picked for his wife. Your Mother is such a wonderful woman. Another honor was to meet and talk with her.

Thank you again for allowing us to share this with you and your family. I will never forget it.

It was also wonderful finally meeting you and BK after being cyber buddies for these past almost seven years.

And meeting Ed and Lisa, and Krystan and John, and Scott, and Carl were an additional treat as well !!! All such good people. (Ed and Lisa, thanks again for the ride!)

It warmed my soul to see the Belgians pay their respects to your father, and by that to our country.

And Morgy, your beautiful flowers were a huge hit with everyone. You did good.



BK,

That is a fitting picture tribute of recognition for the Belgians. Thanks for sharing it and any/all other pictures.


Scott, thanks for your pictures also. It was so good talking with you. I probably could have talked your ears off for several more hours.

Great people all around. I am very glad I attended.



A very good day, Doug. DOD would have been well pleased indeed.


Maggie



P.S.

Oh, and Doug -

I fully "ditto" Ed and Lisa's remark about your (and that of your brothers) walk with the funeral procession.

Mags

It was an extraordinary day. Right up there in the running for the most meaningful and memorable in my life so far. And I thank all concerned who helped to make it so. Very much including the WBG members, those there and those there in spirit.

I had thought I'd wait to post until I'd absorbed all the feelings and images and could produce a polished overview. Nah. That could take forever. So, maybe I'll take a leaf from my father's memoir, "Bull Sessions," and write in bite-sized pieces.

So let me start with thanking those who've posted who were there: Scott, Carl, K., Mags, BK, and Ed. Thanks also to those who have posted who were not: Morgy, Jonelle, and Bart.

Scott and BK, thanks for the photos. BK, you picked up some great detail, including the Belgian wreath and some of the memorabilia we'd set up at the reception.

I didn't speak at the chapel, and regret not taking the chance to do so. Our chaplain told me I could take 2 or 3 minutes to speak, but he did so about 5 minutes before start time. My lawyer brothers were both shaking their heads: "Are you crazy? Give a lawyer 3 minutes, and you've got a filibuster on your hands." And I could have used a smidgeon more prep time. So I declined.

If I'd taken the chance, and had a bit of time to prepare, I would have said something like:

"Thank you all for coming. I want you all to know that the emotion of the day for our family is not sorrow or grieving. It is pride. We have had the chance in Baton Rouge to speak of Dad (DOD, Jordan) as a father, husband, professor of architecture, reader, poet, photographer, craftsman and restless creative type. What the family wants to stress today is our pride and respect for his military service. In particular, his service as a rifle company Lieutenant from July, 1944 near St. Lo, Normandy, to March, 1945, on a slag heap east of Remagen, Germany, where he took a wound that ended his war. He served as platoon leader, executive officer, and finally, company commander in K Co., 47th Infantry, 9th Division. He fought in the hedgerows, the Falaise Gap, the Huertgen Forest, the Frenzerburg Castle, the Bulge, and crossed the Rhine on the Remagen Bridge the day after it had been captured. In a high point of his war, he led a platoon that had the privilege of liberating the Belgian town of Binche, and that is the reason why we are honored today by the presence of Lt. Colonel _____ of the Belgian Embassy military section. He was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

Unlike many veterans, he was not reticent about his service. I remember listening, at the age of 9, as he fulminated about all the errors in the newly released official military history of the battle at the Frenzerburg. So I learned about the imperfections of recorded history at the same time that I learned of his service. That led, for my brothers and me, to an early and continued fascination with history of all sorts, but especially military history. And a respect for and gratitude to those who serve. Today, that certainly applies to the representatives of Arlington National Cemetery, the Old Guard, Chaplain Horton, and all those responsible for conducting this ceremony. Chaplain Horton . . . "

So my brothers were right. It woulda been a filibuster.

The Walk.

First, let me record the awe I felt upon emerging from the chapel to find the Old Guard deployed across the parking area in front. Wow. Wow. Caisson and horses. Band, with red hats. Color guard, including a staff trailing all the battle streamers of the 3rd Infantry, oldest regiment in the Army. Escort platoon. Spacing just so. Wow.

Because I couldn't salute, I turned, faced them, and put my hand over my heart for a few seconds. I hope the soldiers got that message.

Ed and Mags, the walk was swell. I had originally imagined walking at the pace of the Old Guard and caisson horses. But all the on-line guidance said that the procession from the chapel was to be vehicular. At the chapel, one of my brothers expressed an interest in walking, and I had to discourage him based on what I knew.

But as we started to get into the car, the Arlington coordinator said "If you're strong walkers, you can follow the caisson. Don't get wide of the column or fall behind and it will be fine." I called to my brothers and there wasn't a moment's hesitation. We walked three abreast behind the caisson to the gravesite.

The only downside was wearing dress go-to-court shoes, which weren't made for striding out. Other than that, it was cool and misting and it gave us a chance to observe the Old Guard and passing Arlington sights at close range. It also gave us a chance to speculate on what irreverent Lewis-Nixon-like comments Dad might have made if he were doing a play-by-play. It felt just right.

Doug -

AH! A Divine spontaneous moment for the Jordan brothers!

All the better!

And the hand to the heart for the Guard ... I hope they saw your fine gesture of love and appreciation to them, and I have no doubt they knew you were saluting them as such. So well deserved.

Doug I am so happy you had dear friends and family there with you on such an important day. What a blessing. The photos are so dignified . Can you please send me a PM with your Dads location. I am going to be in DC for a day and would like to pay my respects. God Bless you and yours.
Hugs at ya my friend.
Cindy

They knew.

I've got a confession to make.

Before I went into the chapel, I saw the Army band, honor guard, and color guard starting to assemble and went over to talk with the horn players to see if it was anyone I knew (the music world is very small, actually). I made some new friends and gave them an idea about the soldier they were honoring that day and his battle at the castle. I expressed my appreciation to them for the ceremony about to take place and let them know that meant a lot to Jordan's family and that they would be able to appreciate it. I'm sure Jordan's reputation spread amongst the band at least.

Here's a photo of the horn players before they were brought to attention.


After this, I grabbed the photos in the first post of the honor guard and the color guard before taking this photo of the caisson.


Scott

Scott, thank you. I wanted very much to connect with the Old Guard to let them know who and what this particular ceremony would be about. As far as I knew, I'd come close to striking out. ("Close" only because I'd had some conversations with an Old Guard Lt. who therefore knew about Dad, but he had orders for other duty that day.) Thanks very much for filling in that gap, at least for some of them. Much appreciated, Doug

And, BTW, that photo of the horn players is a keeper.

Cindy, thank you. No need for a PM on Dad's grave location. Mom was given an envelope with a permanent pass permitting her access to the cemetery to visit Dad's grave. My brothers and I were given forms to fill out that will, we hope, produce similar passes. This might seem logical and common sense, but it's a detail that didn't occur to us, and we're grateful to ANC for making it so easy to visit.

The envelope reads: "CHESTER H. JORDAN, 1st LT. USA, SECTION 59 GRAVE 2991."

Well, after reading all the accounts and viewing the pictures, I feel like I was there and I might was well have been because I am sitting here in my office with tears running down my face and a co-worker is looking at me a little strangely! Very moving narrations and photos.

Doug, your Mom looks exactly like she does in her military photo! Same light in her smiling eyes. The only difference is her hair is white. WOW!

Thanks for sharing and condolences on your loss.

Lisa Marie

Memorabilia.

Lisa Marie gives me a cue for the next topic. We had the reception in an alcove of the Women's Memorial at the gates of Arlington. It's a most impressive building at the gates to ANC designed as a horizontal arch, or "hemicycle," and dedicated to commemorating women's military service to the United States. The staff of the Memorial were incredibly supportive and helpful to me in making arrangements for the day.

In consultation with my brother Dan, we made a selection of memorabilia to display on tables in the alcove. The double photo that Lisa Marie mentions usually sits on my mantle: Dad in uniform in 1943 and Mom, as an ROTC sponsor her freshman year of college in 1941. (She later took time away from college to work in an ordnance warehouse in Takoma, Washington, where her father, a Pancho Villa and WWI vet, had re-entered the service to command a motor pool unit.)

We also displayed some of Dad's decorations, medals and ribbons. Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, and (hard to see on the table) Victory Medal.

The bouquet on the table was sent by Morgy last week with a card. Artificial flowers set in a base that she'd constructed displaying the 9th Division patch. I was so eager to show it off and brag on Morgy that I was carrying it around until I was asked several times how the bridesmaid thing was working out for me . . . Morgs, thank you.

We also displayed the only photo we have of Dad in a combat uniform. It was taken in Liege, with two Belgian civilians, one a woman in white shoes, Dad's shorter sergeants, and Dad in the background looking like a young Lloyd Bridges. In recognition of the Belgians there, we also displayed a 1994 Binche newspaper article and photo of Dad receiving an award from the Binche Bourgemestre.

I had found in Dad's papers a folded up, worn 1940's era map, with a dotted line showing the route of the 9th Division through North Africa, Sicily, and France-Belgium-Germany. I had it scanned and then a graphic artist donated her services ("It's the least I can do for a hero") to customize it for the ceremony. As customized, it highlights Dad's subset of the 9th's path, from Normandy to the east side of the Rhine, and the artist telescoped the area around St. Lo where he joined, the area east of Remagen where he was wounded, and the sidetrip to Binche. A printer blew it up to 3 x 3 and mounted it on "gator board" for display on an easel. For those who didn't know Dad's story, I wanted a quick way to illustrate where he fought, and the ground he covered. A subtheme emerged as I was narrating the map: how much ground the division covered in a few short weeks in August and September 1944-- from Normandy to Schevenhutte, beyond the WestWall in Germany -- and how tough it was to take ground over the succeeding 5 months.

BK's photo also picks up programs from the Princeton service of remembrance in February where Dad, Arch GS *51, was remembered. (Side note: Dad and Mom spent their first married year in grad student poverty in Princeton and remembered it idyllically. Entertainment was chaperoning student parties, watching crew races, and reading through Firestone Library. Dad would work all night at the drafting board and Mom would take notes for him in class.)

The reception was catered by a retired Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant, who says proudly that he cooked for five Marine Commandants in his 26 years. The icing on the cake displayed a Ninth Division patch and the logo read Lt. C. H. Jordan, K Co., 47th Inf., 9th Div.

Doug -

With ALL due respect to your DOD ... The more I hear/learn about your DOBM the more I am highly impressed with the Lady Jordan. What a history SHE has!

I too was very impressed with the Women's Memorial in Arlington. And the reception was lovely. Kudoes to the retired Marine Gunny Sgt. (Andy?) who now has the catering business. I had a great conversation with him. What a guy! What a cook! He laughed when I told him that I was splurging by having a very nice slice of the cake and one of his mini Key Lime cheese cake tarts. I explained to him how my D.C. tour guide BK had given me quite the walking work out over the weekend, and that we still had a day +1 to go in order to burn away the sinful cake calories.

Mags

I´m very sorry to read that your dad past away - and even more sorry that I missed this thread before.

My condolences to you and your family.


Doing that little research about your dad and the manor was a real pleasure - the more I read about him, the more I regret that I haven´t been able to share some more information with you and him about his time in Germany.

Thank you Doug. I will pay him a visit when I am down there. I dont know how long we will be in town but maybe if its not an inconvenient time for you we could have some lunch or something. BK did such a fabulous job of story telling with her photographs I also feel like I was there. I would like to say your Dad was quite handsome, and your Mom just glowing. I can see their attraction to each other. What a fine trip down memory lane you have provided here. Your Mom sounds like such a strong woman. Our younger generation could learn from her. Morgys flowers were beautiful. The Honor Guard was amazing. What a glorious day you had in honor of your Dad. Thanks to all of you who made it there to share it with Doug. Good on all of you! Many blessings to you and yours.

This kinda late...Sorry to hear about the loss Doug. Glad to see you are doing all right.

On a side note: Never climb on a wall in a cemetery, you will get smited. I did it once and the darn helpful climbing vines gave me poison ivy on my hands and lower arms.

Matt

An inspiring and touching story. My most profound respects to your family, Doug, and especially to your father's memory. May he rest in peace.

FJB

I'm not good at this kind of thing Doug. I was quite moved reading all of this; I didn't know your father, but I've known so many like him - good men that somehow became better because of their service and sacrifice. Your father sounds like he was a particularly exceptional representative of that group. I'm glad he got the kind of send off that he deserved.

They built the world that all of us know and grew up in. Now they're going away and leaving us alone in it. I for one don't feel quite ready to go on without them.

Just a note:

BK is quite the photographer.

In case you missed the photobucket link on the first page of this thread in BK's first reply here's the link to sites we saw on our D.C. trip, and especially to Lt. Jordan's Arlington service.

Very nice job, Ms. BK! You could work for a travel magazine!



http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/hom...%20DC%204%2008/



http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/hom...20you%20JORDAN/

Maggie

As Bull says, "Never did like this company none."

I humbly thank you all for the kind words.

Most credit, of course, is due the Old Guard and the ANC, who somehow make an almost constantly repeated ritual feel fresh and unique to the occasion.

But, in addition in our case, we had some kind of chemistry working for us. And that has everything to do with the spirit and values of those who attended. As I make my thank-you tour among friends, colleagues, and the Belgians, I'm getting a sense that for many who attended this was . . . a keeper. Lots of good feeling around.

And, for that, I'm grateful to all.

Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.

Then good night, peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night.

-Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield


I wish all the best to you and your family Doug. I will pay my respects to your father on my next trip to Washington.

Sleep well, Lt. Jordan...

Wonderful pictures BK. It’s great to see you. Is that Maggie with the blond hair and black jacket? I remember her from the old HBO forum so many years ago.

Morgy, what a sweetheart you are!! What a tremendously thoughtful gesture those flowers were.

And Krystin, it’s good to see you and your husband. He’s a looker!

Doug, YO MAMA..... is a beauty. How did she find the day? Was it very exhausting for her? Who was the lady with the very large hat kneeling in front of your mother when the flag was being presented to her?

It’s great that you were able to walk behind the cortege with your brothers. It’s too bad they didn’t let you know that you would have an opportunity to say a few words about your father in advance. What you wrote was lovely. We got to hear it anyway.



As I read this and got to the line “where he took a wounded that ended his war....” it struck me that that line could easily have been “that ended his life” had he not been so fortunate. And there would have been no idyllic time with his wife at Princeton, no career teaching architecture, no children to leave his legacy to, who would honor him after left this earth. Thank God for small mercies! He did survive and got to live out the remainder of his days, and the world is a better place for having him in it.

I’d like to see the old picture of your parents when they were young. Has it ever been posted on wgb?



Well that’s done it. I’m in tears again. If they were at all observant I’m sure they got that message.

The display you set up sounds wonderful. Museum worthy in fact.



For someone who's not good at this kind of thing, you expressed it wonderfully well. I wholeheartedly agree.

Responses.


Mags, that was retired Marine MGS Andrew Schneider, who runs Elegance To Simplicity Caterers. I didn’t have a chance to eat anything at the reception, but when I had a chance to sample the leftovers, I concluded that a MSG Schneider sandwich shop would put the chains out of business. And congrats on the results of your calorie-counting. Well done.

Thank you all for your kind compliments on Mom. Yep, I grew up very proud of both my parents. And conscious, as so many boomers must be, of how high the bar had been set by our parents. Mom has that ability to scan human personality wavelengths and lock on, an ability that is not totally unknown among Southern ladies of her era. This is a trait that served her well as a social worker, as an airline stewardess in the late ‘40's, and throughout life. The men in our family, who all totally lack that gene, could only watch in amazement. She has always had many friends and not a few admirers. Thank you all for appreciating her.

Cindy, on the Mom-Dad attraction: yep. They said that what struck them on their first, blind, date was that they both liked to read. But, given that they were engaged within two weeks of meeting and married within three months, one could infer that a certain amount of basic chemistry was involved. They maintained a running joke on the Princess-frog thing, and Mom would routinely give Dad Christmas gifts with a frog theme. Dad always prized her, and commonly used a fresh photo of her on the front page of his monthly newsletter. (Which, BTW, he never stopped writing; I received the October issue within a week of his death). She would always protest – and always pose.

Cindy, as to lunch, let’s do it.

Steve, your research on the manor was unfortunately too late for Dad, who died at the end of October, but I told my brothers about it and they were impressed, as I was. We very much appreciate the detective work, and it was stunning to see the satellite photo. I have a story about Dad-German interaction that I will either PM or write in a separate post. Thank you.

Frank and Richard: Gentlemen, thank you. Please know the weight your words carry.

BK, splendid photojournalistic coverage. I’m hoping to get additional photos over time, but I’d be flailing at description without your photos for reference. (Vee, the double photo of Dad and Mom in the ‘40's is on the second page of BK’s Jordan photobucket link). Thank you, also, for traveling such a distance for the occasion. Good on you.

EB, that works. Thank you.
According to Mom, Dad had a hardwired emotional reaction to Taps, dating back to his cadet days at Texas A&M (then a military college exclusively), where the students presented themselves outdoors every night for the playing of Taps, and where it was expressly linked to fallen Aggies. The rendition on Monday by the Old Guard bugler was flawless.

Vee, wow. You are so good at expressing and addressing emotion. Thank you. And, yes, Morgy is a sweetheart. The lady in the large hat is Mrs. Grimes, an Arlington Lady, a volunteer official representative of the Army. She presented Mom with a gracious letter from the Chief of Staff of the Army. There are Arlington Ladies for each branch of the services, volunteers who reach out to the families of those being buried. The trip was very tough on Mom, and she spent a great deal of time here flaked out in her hotel room, hoarding energy. She could only make the trip because Kim, her next door neighbor, selflessly devoted herself to Mom-care. Kim is a hero bordering on sainthood to the Jordan sons.

Dear Doug,

It was a whirlwind five days for me, most of it on my feet, and I didn't waste any time. It was a good trip. My first day back to work, I wrote a few paragraphs of my impressions of our day with the Jordans at Arlington, but was called away from my desk and it was lost. It's taken me a while to get back to it, but after a good long rest last night and most of this morning, I'm feeling more myself.

The highlight of the weekend of course was Monday's service for Jordan -- “just Jordan, everyone calls me just Jordan”. It really was a stunner. I suppose we all would have approved and applauded a bright sunny day for the event, but personally I am just as happy that a very friendly soft mist was present through our time in the outdoors.

It was good to see you again and meet the Jordan brothers upon arrival at the Post Chapel. I liked that you all chose blues, rather than the somber black with white shirts. It seemed more in keeping with the celebration of Jordan's life theme.

Sitting in the chapel prior to the service, it was impossible to not peek around to try and determine who might be the people in your life that you've mentioned over the years. I missed all the way around and in fact when we were leaving, I boldly asked a woman if she was your old Princeton friend of so many years. Her companion piped up that she was not and he was trying to figure out the same thing! I later learned that she was the partner of your longtime friend in the pink shirt -- the guy who'd piped up! They filed out behind us. Pretty funny!

When your mother arrived escorted by her three sons towering over her, I thought how fortunate she has been all these years to be surrounded by four tall men who virtually worship her. I was surprised that she is a small woman. From all your conversations about her, in my mind she took on a much larger stature. I believe in addition to being a Memphis Belle, she's also been a true steel magnolia.

Miz Slee was just wonderful. I just read your comment in your latest post and am not surprised that her days in town had so much regrouping involved. Nevertheless, she was certainly ON for the service and reception. When you were escorting her from the chapel, what you couldn't see was her expression and her very direct and smiling gaze falling on each person she was passing. She was stopping on each face, thanking them for coming. It put tears in my eyes.

At the reception, approaching her in my turn, she was completely focused on a new person to meet. When she heard my name, her whole face lit up! She really got to me and I couldn't do otherwise but lean over to kiss her cheek, probably a very forward move. Nevertheless, I felt I knew her, just from our brief correspondence back in 2002 and your conversations from time to time those several years ago. I asked her if she had a little nip in that glass and she frowned and said she didn't see why not, but that you boys thought the occasion required something else. I laughed out loud, as I remembered she had done when you guys had trouble rolling her chair up over the curbstone. It would never do to unceremoniously dump your DOM on the driveway in section 59 at Arlington!!! I'd tried to catch that shot, but it was over as quickly as the laughter had burst from her.

As for the Old Guard, they were wonderful. The band, the troop, the caisson, the mounted horses, the rifle volleys ... it was really just so much to take in. It was worth the trip, believe me!

Your preparations for the reception were just right and very well received. DOD's medals, the map featuring his war, the wonderful photos of your young parents and of course Morgy's bouquet. It was all just perfect. I hope you were pleased with how it all turned out. I'm absolutely certain DOD loved it! He probably grumbled about it, but he loved it!!

Shame on me that I never really sought any conversation with your bothers, but they probably didn't feel the lack. The folks from WBG who attended were all very nice. Of course, I've known Krystin for some while; we used to IM now and again when she was going through the frustration of trying to reach her goals, most of which have been nearly met, I see. She and John seem so settled and solid for as young as they are -- and still honeymooning. Ed and Lisa (also still honeymooning!) are fun and were very kind to chauffer Mags and me for the day. It was good to meet Scott too. We had a lively dinner the night before. I probably talked too much, nervous as always with new people, but it was fun.

Well, I promised in my earlier post to get back to this. I've tried several times, but I thought it best to get my photos organized and up. Over time, I'll add titles and captions throughout. Spending a couple of weeks working on my photos like this really seals in the memories of any trip I make and this one is no exception.

Ya done good, Doug. It was a lovely and appropriate service for a larger than life hero, husband, dad. I knew the minute you said you were seeing about getting him into Arlington that I would definitely come in for it. I'm very grateful, frankly, that there was a wait as Spring suited me just fine. I do think the delay also made it easier to focus on celebration. All in all, a great day for Jordan! BK

Yep, that's me

BK, thank you. You picked up on several things, in part because of prior knowledge, in part because of astute observation.

"Slee & Jordan" is the way that they would sign cards. Dad wasn't crazy about either of his given names, and would typically sign things "C.H. Jordan." (Which unfortunately caused Dr. Ambrose to call him "Charles" in "Citizen Soldiers.") "Jordan" worked fine. Mom's first two names are "Alice Lee," which to her brothers, quickly became "Slee." Suited her fine. "Miz Slee" is on the nose.

Mom's smallness is, unfortunately, a product of frailty and age. She was a healthy 5'7" in her prime. And she isn't happy about the reduced stature that comes with being wheelchair-bound. One of Scott's photos at the beginning of this thread caught me, awkwardly, at the moment of bending down in response to Mom's saying: "I don't like you looming over me in these photos. I'd like to see something more like a kowtow."

What you picked up in Mom's engaging people is precisely right, and jibes with what I said before about her wavelength-scanning. Any allusion to the sensors in "Terminator" would not be far wrong.

I.D. ing the folks in the chapel. The WBG members you know. There was a high turnout of the invited college friends, all from Charter Club, including Buz, whose family's discovery of BoB I've written about. Neighbors and various friends around town, including Carl, whom you know, and lawyers I've worked with in private practice.

Bill Bertrand, who grew up in the house next door that Kim now lives in, came up from New Orleans where he operates a program at Tulane. Bill is a Marine Lt from the mid-60's and the son of Dr. Alvin Bertrand, B-29 navigator and pathbreaking Cajun scholar, whom I honored upon his death in 2006. [url=http://forums.wildbillguarnere.com/index.php?showtopic=9468&st=0]

Dan was happy to see Gary, a law school friend, agency general counsel and Air Force Academy grad, whom he had not seen for 20 years. Sam Southworth, a friend and military historian, drove down from New Hampshire. David, my law school roommate and a Treasury lawyer, was the crucial link to the Belgians.

And I was honored that many of my colleagues at the OCC, including some with very high demands on their time, managed to be there. I was surprised that so many were able to stay for the reception. And mightily happy at the interaction at the reception among folks who didn't know each other. That was an X factor that played out far better than I could have hoped for. As my brothers, being brothers, said: "How did someone like YOU get to know such impressive people?" Looking around the chapel, I thought: "I like my taste in friends."

BK, thank you for the kind words about the arrangements. It was an extraordinary day.

The Belgians.

A most gracious dimension of the ceremony was the salute to Dad from Belgium. As I posted in January on another thread:

“I received a letter last night from the Belgian Embassy that reads in part: ‘Given your father's role in the liberation of Binche, a representative of the Military Section of the Belgian Embassy would consider it an honor to be present at the burial ceremony. The person most likely to attend * * * has asked about the appropriateness of laying a wreath at that time.’"

I called today to thank the Belgians for this gracious gesture. The Cultural Officer for the Embassy said ‘We consider one of our most important constituencies to be the veterans of the Battle of the Bulge’."”

This was the graceful prelude to the appearance at the ceremony of a Belgian Leftenant Colonel from the Military Section. [I don’t use her name because I’m not sure she would welcome its use on a public forum; if I find out otherwise, I will edit it in]. She turned heads at the chapel when she appeared in uniform, and then presented a beautiful wreath at the graveside ceremony and greeted my mother. Who was thrilled. As were we all. As you can see from BK’s photos, the wreath, in the Belgian colors, is stunning; the inscription reads “Belgium with Eternal Recognition.” Colonel ___ also took the time to come to the reception and talk at greater length with Mom.

I had spoken with the Colonel several times to coordinate logistics. At one point, as I was trying to express my family’s gratitude for the gesture, she said firmly: “No. It is Belgium that is grateful to your father.”

Whew.

The Colonel told me that her parents had lived through the occupation and told her it was too horrible to talk about. So, she said, her attendance, while a professional duty, was also personal.

Two weeks before, a young embassy staffer, Catianne, had called me seeking information on the Colonel’s behalf. When I explained the back story, Catianne, who has an American father and a Belgian mother, expressed so much enthusiasm for the salute that I invited her as well. With the kind permission of the Colonel and the Admiral for whom she works, Catianne was able to come to the reception. Which gave me a chance to show off Morgy’s bouquet. Catianne wrote in the guestbook: “Quel honneur d’etre parmis vous. Merci.”

Morgy translated for me by email: “What an honor to be among you.”

My deep thanks to the Belgian Embassy and to the Colonel for her touching contribution to the ceremony. Thanks also to the Cultural Officer and to Catianne for helping to make it happen. From the Jordans, a heartfelt "Merci."

Quel honneur, indeed.

That's fabulous!!

Lisa Marie

Doug,

you are more than welcome.

If your dad and his comrades wouldn´t have risked their lives to free my country, the world would look way different and would be a way darker place.

It was a real pleasure to do that research for you and your family.

I would love to read that story about your Dad.

Cindy,
As a side note. Jason Arnett's grave site is w/in 150yrds from DODs. After the ceremony for Dough's father Lisa and I walked over to Janson's and Mr Jaloman's grave site and placed flowers.

My condolences...

I finally found the old photo of your parents. I turns out that I had only looked at the pictures on the first page, so I missed seeing Morgy’s wreath the first time round as well. Your father was most definitely not a “frog”! He looks like a handsome fellow in that picture. Your parents sound like a such a great couple! I can’t get over the fact that your mother went to his classes and took notes for him! Now that’s devotion! I’m not sure if I were taking notes in a graduate level course in architecture that my notes would make sense at all, especially if it was very technical.



Morgy is almost like an honorary daughter to you, so I can imagine you bragging about her and showing off her flowers like a proud Papa.



One of BK’s pictures shows the back of a woman in uniform who appear to be taking off her cap. Was that her? Did she get to say anything at that point? Was everyone there aware of who she was?

Questions! Questions!

Vee

Vee, Yes, that was she. In fact, she sat in front of Maggie and me in the chapel, and when she arrived, she had already removed her cap which she placed on the seat beside her. She smiled a greeting to us in the row behind as she entered hers. All I saw was "Army green" and never even realized that it wasn't US Army green!

My camera batteries died just as the Arlington Support Lady was talking to DOM, so I completely missed the Belgian Colonel and her conversation with DOM, along with the brilliantly colored wreath she and Cattianne presented. You can see her, however, beyond the tree, in the photo prior to that. I think events conspired for the Colonel's privacy to be maintained because the first photo after I installed new batteries is one of her back!

We were waiting in Ed's & Lisa's car for them to return from making a visit to the Arnett and Jaloman graves when Maggie said something about a wreath had been laid. DOH!! I ran back to the gravesite by which time the grounds people were tamping down the ground of the grave. I'm so glad that I did that! Fortunately off to the side is what you see in my photo -- the lovely wreath of the colors of the Belgian flag, along with the banner Doug described. Along side were the flowers Krys and John and Maggie and I laid on the platform next to DOD's remains. BK

Vee, thank you. The frame that BK caught was the moment where the Colonel was standing up and putting her cap back on. As she says, the previous frame catches the Colonel in profile. I hope a fair number present knew who the Colonel was. I posted about the letter here, and got some great responses, which I later shared with the Embassy. And I talked about the Belgian gesture at work, so that many there knew of her.

Vee, I wish I could claim Morgs as an honorary daughter, but when we met her, she was fully formed, obviously the product of first-rate parenting. So put me down simply as a Morgy admirer. My respects to her parents, who must be awfully proud.

Thanks for rising to Dad's defense. Dad wasn't pretty, but he had presence and confidence. And, after he married Mom, he had little need of vanity. So playing the frog didn't faze him a bit.

Division of labor came naturally to folks in my parents' generation. Mom had been a good note-taker, and a good student, as a UT undergrad, and it made perfect sense to her to put that knack to work while Dad pulled the night shift on the drafting tables. She enjoyed being back in an academic environment. And they were lucky enough to stay in one for the rest of Dad's career.

Vee, continued thanks for the kind comments.

Thank you so much for that. You are my chanpion.
Hugs at ya

You're welcome.

Vee

Thanks everybody - and especially Bk - for the pictures and reports that make us feel like if we were there.

Thanks for the kind comments about my bunch of flower, too.

Doug, you can be very proud of the "hommage" you organized for your father !

Doug I visited your Dad for a bit when I was at Arlington. I was afraid I wouldnt be able to find him. I had left the plot numbers at the hotel . I didnt give up though. I hope when his headstone arrives you will take a photo and send it to me. I took this one and a few others, I would like to include here. Your Dad is in good company. Rest in Peace Gentlemen
1stLT Chester Jordan


CPL Jimmy Lee Shelton


SSG Jason Arnette


SGT Y L Eddie Chen


Spc Thomas J Barbieri II

Also wondered if you know about this at Arlington. I dont know who does this but they have details o f each person buried at Arlington. Check this out and maybe you will need to write them so they get your Dads info here.
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/biograph.htm

There are 2 other Jordans buried there. Could they be related?
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/mhjordan.htm

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/lwjordan.htm

Cindy, on behalf of my family, thank you for attending to Dad's grave, and for that flower. I will send a photo of the headstone when it's installed, which might take several months.

I did not know about that website, and appreciate the find. I'm afraid we can't claim the other Jordans there as kin -- though they might be. As far as we know, my family was part of the Scots-Irish migration to the US in the 18th Century, but no one has done the genealogy to track down potential relatives.

Again, thank you for paying your respects.

Oh Doug it was an honor for me to pay my respects to your Dad. It simply means I have another Hero to visit when I am there, which again is an honor. The biographies they have on the Arlington page are really very nice. I hope you are able to get one submitted for your Dad. Thanks for sharing him. I am going to have to start a topic for the young man who had the chuck all stars at his grave. Its another of those coincidences that really is something that was meant to happen ( me seeing them and taking a photo) But I will save that for a different topic. Take care
Hugs at ya
Cindy

My salute!

I am once again remiss in somehow missing this earlier. I too would have liked to have been there in person but great thanks to BK for inspiring photographs and for capturing Doug in many of them - quite a feat in itself (Don't worry Doug you look fine as ever). I am once again reminded as to how wonderful is Arlington National Cemetery - truly awe inspiring and a fitting locale for a final resting place for such a fine hero. I hope to be able to visit in person once again in the not too distant future. My best regards to you and your family Doug as always.


Mark

On our way through DC today Kelly and I stopped to pay our respects...



On a side note, on our last trip to Europe Kelly and I both visited the Hurtgen Forest and Remagen Bridge so when I tried to explain to her the signifigance of the 9th ID patch and a little about what DOD did during the war it hit a little closer to home for her. She laughed when I told her the story of DOD becoming an 'ace' at Remagen.

Sleep well, Lt. Jordan...