Chapter 6
Victor wrapped his arms around Harriett sensing she needed the human contact and gently returned her hug. "Call me if you need anything at all," he whispered and pressed a card into her hand with all of his phone numbers listed. She thanked him once again and he left.
The support for the Roberts' family was overwhelming. You never really know how many friends you have until something tragic happens. People were there and willing to help Harriett and the children in any way they could. AJ stayed by her side and having Allison around helped the children too. They could talk to her even at the age of three since she knew what it was to have a parent that died. Harriett leaned on AJ's strength and with him she could talk about Bud knowing he missed him almost as much as she did. The one surprise was how much Victor Galindez was around. There was not a day that he didn't stop by to see if Harriett or the children needed anything.
The day of Bud's funeral was a dreary and overcast as those attending the service felt. Harriett walked in with AJ Chegwidden on one side of her and her son AJ on the other. Right behind them was Mike and Mattie, with the baby and James. Mike was keeping a supportive arm around Mattie as she carried the baby and his other hand he held onto James' hand. The twins and Allison Chegwidden had been left with a sitter because both Harriett and AJ felt they were too young to understand what was going on and they knew the girls wouldn't be able to sit still and be quiet that long.
The chapel was filled to capacity, a testament to just how well Bud had been like and respected. Sturgis Turner had even flown in from Hawaii to be there. All the JAG staff was there as well as Mac and Clay Webb. Even the SECNAV made an appearance.
As AJ delivered the eulogy there wasn't a dry eye in the room. He summed up Bud's life as a son, brother, husband, and father, he also spoke of Bud's love of country and life of service to the Navy, of his loss of his leg and his fight to remain in uniform against many odds against that happening, and finally AJ spoke of that last day. After talking to several people that had been in the courtroom that day he could paint a vivid picture of the hero Bud had been.
"Bud was like a son to me and I couldn't have been prouder of him if he had been my son! He will be sorely missed!" When AJ stepped down from the pulpit he saluted Bud's flag covered coffin, tears filling his eyes as he said his own private good bye to the brave young man.
Joining Harriett in the front pew as General Cresswell took to the pulpit, he nodded to her as she whispered, "Thank you" to him.
"I don't really know what I can add to the moving words of Admiral Chegwidden except to maybe share a few personal memories I have of working with Captain Roberts. There were so many times he reminded me of that character Radar in the TV show MASH, he just always seemed to know what I was going to need before I asked for it. Also, the things he could do with a computer at his fingertips were nothing short of amazing! I was proud to be the one to pin his Captain's bars on him. The look of shock on his face was something I will long remember. He was a fine officer and a true gentleman. Admiral Chegwidden was correct, Captain Bud Roberts will be sorely missed, by his country, by his friends, and by his family."
The graveside service was given by the Reverend from the Roberts' church, it was personal and heartfelt. When the flag from his coffin was folded and brought over to Harriett she accepted it with shaking hands, General Cresswell presented the medal that Bud received for his heroic efforts on the day that he died to his eldest son AJ at Harriett's request. The nine year olds chest swelled with pride as he stood to take the medal and saluted the General, once again causing tears to form in the assemblage.
To be continued….
