Uncle Duke was the crane operator who hoisted the white stallion atop the Denver Bronco stadium. This persevering and witty man loved to bowl, dance, sing and play guitar.
In his later years, Duke shuttled his great grandchildren to school and activities. He thought he was really something when the You Tube video of him and the kids singing, got over 100 views.
Upon high school graduation, a courageous Duke enlisted in the United States Air Force. His tough and resolute character allowed him to serve as a flight crewmember during the Korean War.
Uncle Duke died on October 18th. Several at the funeral gave testimony of Duke’s love for God and family. Before peacefully passing, close family members reported him saying he wanted to go to the light he saw in the corner of his hospital room.
On October 29, Duke was buried in Fort Logan National Cemetery with full military honors. Countless precise rows of white etched headstones silently witnessed the meaningful observance. There were few dry eyes as Uncle Duke was honored with the United States flag ceremony, gun salute and taps.
Prior to the U.S. flag folding ceremony, one of the veterans read a moving passage describing values attached to the flag colors. Upon the birth of our nation the flag colors and their meanings were derived from the U.S. national seal.
White signifies purity and innocence. Red, hardiness & valor, and the blue signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice.
Uncle Duke entered this world with a character ready to exercise perseverance and valor. He left this world in purity. Duke knew someone needed to pay for his mistakes. He chose to receive God’s gift of forgiveness through the pure innocence of Jesus.
It was a privilege to join family and friends in honoring this man’s service to his country, family and to God. Learning the meaning of the flag colors heightened my respect for the founders of our nation. They recognized the character traits necessary to maintain our constitutional freedoms.
Thankful, I say God bless and keep all who continue to guard and protect those freedoms through vigilance, perseverance, justice, valor, hardiness and purity.