Another Stop

Jay had never been to the Cottonlandia Museum to see Pinky's Navy uniform, so we stopped by after the service.  He got to also see the photo of her being sworn into the Navy by my grandfather.  As we were leaving we ended up chatting with several people who knew Pinky, and they shared some funny stories with us.

This one was too funny.  On leave from the Navy, Pinky came driving into her hometown of Sidon, and she saw the streetlights had banners on them with the letters "VBS" written on them.  She laughed and said to herself something along these lines. "I know Mother is proud.  I can't believe she would go through the trouble of lining the streets with my initials to welcome me home!"  Pinky's name being Viola Brown Sanders.  It didn't take her too long to realize that the banners weren't referencing her name but instead Vacation Bible School.  She got a kick out of telling that story to everyone.

Pinky's funeral service was so memorable.  It took place in the Sidon Methodist Church which was founded in 1852.  Several wonderful people spoke, and we sang "Anchors Aweigh" at the end.  At the grave site, we were presented with the flag and the gun's were fired and Taps played.  It was truly a very moving experience.  I am not sure the memories of that day will ever leave me.