Daddy is on his way...

My Dad's cremains are aboard the USS Reuben James, seen here leaving Pearl Harbor on January 15, 2010. The ship is deployed for six months.
Let me back up a bit. After Daddy passed away last August we had much debate about where would be his final resting place. My sister Jeanie found out that the US Navy will bury their veterans at sea. We all thought this was a perfect place for Daddy. He was a veteran of the Navy in both WWII and Korea, fighting in seven major air battles, including the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the South Pacific. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in this battle. He spent quite a lot of time in Hawaii as his home base when he wasn't out at sea.
The Navy has burial at sea ceremonies. They raise a flag, scatter the remains and take pictures. They will send back the flag and the camera along with the coordinates of where the ceremony took place. Maybe we can google earth the coordinates to see his place at sea.
Jeanie sent him to Hawaii last fall and we haven't heard a peep from the Navy. Mom was afraid they lost him and we were all picturing him in our minds stuck in a warehouse on the Naval base there. We got an e-mail from Jeanie today with very good news. The remains are stored in the Navy hospital there until the ship is deployed. Much more dignified and respectful than we imagined.
Seeing this picture and knowing he was on board that day has brought up so many feelings. Of course I was at the office when first looked at it and started bawling. Out of sadness for losing my dear father, out of gratitude for the US Navy for taking such good care of their veterans and knowing he was on that ship the very day this picture was taken.
Bon Voyage, Daddy. We all look forward to seeing your final resting place. We're all glad you're free of pain, but miss your smile and wicked sense of humor every day. We quote you almost daily.