Riposare In Pace

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery -San Diego, Ca.
4:30pm
6.22.09
“Riposare in Pace” (Rest In Peace)

It has been nearly 9 years since I visited my Grandpa in Fort Rosecrans. Things have changed so much in that time. People have come and gone in and out of my life, some permanently. I made the trip up to Fort Rosecrans on one of the most beautiful days of the summer, so far. Clear blue skies and peaceful winds surrounded the somber and quiet resting grounds.

My Papa died when I was just 13 and I can’t help but think of what he’d be like today and the times we would have, which may have included some jail time. ;)

An eternal smart ass and prankster (which has been passed on through the generations) every memory I have of him is a happy one.
I can only remember parts of the military funeral vividly. I remember the sounds of the twenty one gun salute echoing through the somber and quiet skies. The empty shells hitting the ground with an echo that could be heard throughout the courtyard. I still have one of the shell casings which my Grandma divided among the family. I have always kept is close and will continue to.



He was a WWII Vet and almost met his end several times including floating in the freezing ocean, surviving three times as long as a normal man should have, twice. He was written up so many times for his smart ass ways, his file looked like a phone book. He became a master potato peeler as a result.

He continues to live on through faded pictures, memories and eternally in my heart. When he was laid to rest the spirit of his humor lived on and he was honored by putting his ashes in a Folders container, his favorite coffee. (goodnight sweet prince)

As I was sitting there thinking back on all of this, I noticed that this was the most peaceful I have felt in a very long time. I guess most people would have been uncomfortable by miles of land reserved for graves and the site of 71,000 and counting headstones and grave markers, but I was truly at peace. The view is truly breath taking and sits overlooking the gorgeous San Diego Bay. That quickly faded as I returned to my city, thriving and loud with the noise of commerce and progress. I try to keep a little bit of that peace with me especially through the hard times.

"Riposare In Pace" (Italian) Rest In Peace Papa 1926-1993

This photo was taken directly across from his grave marker and the way the trees are grown it appears to form a skull. Can you see it?