Farewell for now Grandpa Stevens

 Sadly we lost Dan's Grandfather on June 22, 2013.  Jay Hillman Stevens was Born on July 10, 1919. Our youngest son Jens if named after him, his middle name is Stevens.   

Dan was able to speak at the funeral he did a really great job.  It was nice to look back and reflect on the tremendous legacy this great man left behind.  I will never forget the kindness he showed towards our family.  He loved people, and he especially loved his family.  Dan has so many wonderful memories of his Grandfather and one of them is that his grandpa Stevens loved gardening.  Grandpa would grow gigantic produce.  Dan can remember weeding the tall rows of corn, and gaining an appreciation for gardening.  Dan still to this day loves working in the yard and always plants a garden.  One of the first things Dan did after we bought our first home was to get a garden started. 

 One of my memories of Grandpa Stevens, is that he always had pine nuts at his home.  I had never had pine nuts before, but discovered that they are really good.  We are so sad to loose this wonderful man.  He always had a positive and up beat attitude, and a bright smile.  I remember listening to all of his amazing stories, some where hilarious, and unbelievable, and others were historical.  Like the time when he was serving in WWII as an army cook.  He made peppermint ice cream to Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill, and Franklin Roosevelt. 

 Seeing his casket draped with our American flag gives me such a deep gratitude for our freedoms.  Each day that goes by we loose more and more Veterans from WWII.  These are the men who freed Europe from the Nazis.  These are the men who stood up to evil, and had the courage to defend liberty.  It is a tremendous loss, to see this generation pass away. They are some of the greatest Americans our country has known.  Being born in the great depression taught them thrift, and frugality.  Rising to the call of war taught them courage and selflessness.  The world was never the same after WWII. This is the generation who returned from the horrors of war, and went to work.  They made America into the economic and military power that it is today.  This generation showed that economic freedom and capitalism doesn't suppress, but provides opportunity. A chance to create greater prosperity for their children, and grandchildren.  Grandpa wasn't born rich in wealth, but he was born rich in love.  His parents taught him to have faith in God.  With that faith, and fortitude Grandpa leaves a great legacy.  One of his last dying wishes was to help fund the missions of his great grandchildren.  He leaves a deep foot print in our hearts. We love you Grandpa.  Your life and example has shaped our lives. May the spirit of peace fill our hearts until we can be with you again. 

Here is a photo of our kids with one of the military Veterans' who did the Honorable Military Burial.  He gave Kirk a bullet from the gun they shot in honor of Grandpa's military service.