On Saturday our family celebrated the life of my Grandpa Max Gollaher. It was incredible to hear all the stories about him (that I am embarrassed I hadn't heard before!) and attend my first military funeral--it is amazing what his service did for our country and how the military still honors veterans at their graves years and years later.
Some of the great stories about Grandpa Max:
On the day my grandfather was born, the mine where my great-grandfather, Gilbert Gollaher, worked blew up, killing everyone inside--170 people. Everyone working that day died, except for my great-grandpa. He was in a tent (where he and his wife lived) helping my great-grandma Annie, deliver their fourth child--13 lb Max Gollaher! (she was a tiny 5'0 lady...can't imagine that pain!!) It was said at the funeral that not many can say they saved their father's life on the day they were born, but my grandpa could.
Grandpa's unit in the Navy, during World War II suffered 83% casualties. However, when he received his patriarchal blessing, he was promised that if he was faithful, he would be spared. And he was. My aunt Shaunie has said many times to me that it was wonderful to read Max's journal because he was very close to his Heavenly Father...because if you think about it, every day he was there was the day before he could die--they all felt that way. Every day, you prepared to meet your Maker. During that time, Max had 5 of his fellow soldiers die in his arms. One asked him where he was going, and grandpa told him that he was "going to meet his Maker to be judged," and to "go in peace." He talked about that a lot in his later years.
My DAd pointed out that Max was a "transitional" figure in his family. He was the only one in his to earn an advanced degree--and he earned 2! 2 Masters degrees. He was also the strongest in the gospel and helped his family become more active in the church and receive the blessings of the temple. When he married Fern Condie, they were the first in their family to get married in the temple. On the day of their wedding, they were sealed and my grandpa's parents, and, because of Max and Fern's example, his parents, Annie and Gilbert, were sealed as well. Grandpa was then sealed to his parents and deceased siblings.
Some of the great stories about Grandpa Max:
On the day my grandfather was born, the mine where my great-grandfather, Gilbert Gollaher, worked blew up, killing everyone inside--170 people. Everyone working that day died, except for my great-grandpa. He was in a tent (where he and his wife lived) helping my great-grandma Annie, deliver their fourth child--13 lb Max Gollaher! (she was a tiny 5'0 lady...can't imagine that pain!!) It was said at the funeral that not many can say they saved their father's life on the day they were born, but my grandpa could.
Grandpa's unit in the Navy, during World War II suffered 83% casualties. However, when he received his patriarchal blessing, he was promised that if he was faithful, he would be spared. And he was. My aunt Shaunie has said many times to me that it was wonderful to read Max's journal because he was very close to his Heavenly Father...because if you think about it, every day he was there was the day before he could die--they all felt that way. Every day, you prepared to meet your Maker. During that time, Max had 5 of his fellow soldiers die in his arms. One asked him where he was going, and grandpa told him that he was "going to meet his Maker to be judged," and to "go in peace." He talked about that a lot in his later years.
My DAd pointed out that Max was a "transitional" figure in his family. He was the only one in his to earn an advanced degree--and he earned 2! 2 Masters degrees. He was also the strongest in the gospel and helped his family become more active in the church and receive the blessings of the temple. When he married Fern Condie, they were the first in their family to get married in the temple. On the day of their wedding, they were sealed and my grandpa's parents, and, because of Max and Fern's example, his parents, Annie and Gilbert, were sealed as well. Grandpa was then sealed to his parents and deceased siblings.
Here is a Navy soldier playing "Taps" on the trumpet
The Pallbearers (among them, my brothers Nathan and Joseph, cousins Chad, Travis, Austin...)
Folding the flag
When the casket was to be brought down into the ground, each pallbearer placed their white carnation upon it.
In the Salt Lake City Cemetary--where Annie and Gilbert, Max's parents, are also buried.
My immediate family: From left to right... Joseph, me, Michelle, Rebecca, DAd, Heather, Nathan, Mom, Kristin
1 comment:
Sounds like a really good man!
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