Today.....October 15th (2012) would have been Dicks' 90th birthday. He was proud to have lived longer than any other male Slater of recent generations. Because of this fact....., and in Dads' honor, this particular day was chosen to put at rest Dads' remains. James Richard (Dick) Slater was put at rest with military honors at the Veterans' Memorial Cemetery located in Sierra Vista on Fort Huachuca property. A little more time will pass before many of the photos of this event appear in this memorial gallery. The following is the exact tribute that was read, by me, to honor Dad on this occasion: Dad was many things----He was a husband a soldier, a father, a grandfather. He was a provider. He was proud of his South Dakota Heritage. Early on he acquired skills in carpentry and plumbing; learning from his father, uncles, and father-in-law. After marrying, he used these same skills to build their first small home in Tacoma, Washington. Throughout his entire life he would often rely on these skills to improve various personal abodes and those homes of family and friends. He rose to his countrys' call by joining the Army Air Corps in WW2; training as a radioman. Once the war ended, he returned to civilian pursuits. Dad was proud to be an American and always voted. He was also proud that his family had the courage to cross from the Dakotas to the Pacific NW in a covered wagon in a time when most were then travelling by locomotive or automobile. His Dad taught him to rally and make do. Dad was a good provider and what he couldn't prove up with money, he would prove up with his hands. He served the public first as a salesman of various products, in various states, and finally as a master barber for over forty years in the Phoenix (AZ) area. He helped insure his mother and his mother-in-law had safe care in their final years. Now, our father and grandfather is in God's hands and his works on Earth are complete. We set his remains at rest at the base of the Huachuca Mtns., and pay tribute, as a family, to grace his courageously long life. My Grandma Slater would be disappointed if I didn't include a prayer in closing----I refer to Psalms 73:26 and Isahiah 43:1-2: "My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."..... "But now, thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned and the flame shall not consume you." AMEN. Taps were beautifully played by a soldier and two soldiers (a Sgt. and a PFC) expertly unfolded, displayed, and re-folded the American flag. The Sgt. then presented the flag to Martha (Dads' wife) and thanked her, in behalf of our President, for Dads' military service. (Martha wants me to keep Dads' flag to fly, here at my Hereford home on days of good weather to honor Dad as we live the closest to his resting place.) Dads' ashes were placed inside a special commemorative wall, housing many other veterans. His particular cubicle is D-33. Someday, I will join him, in this cemetery (along with Shirley, my wife) in this same cemetery, although, I'm pretty certain, in a different wall. "Always in our Hearts" will be included in the inscription of his personal cubicle. I will add a picture (within this memorial photo gallery) as soon as all is finished, by the Veteran's Administration in the near future. Construction of a chapel at this cemetery site is planned soon, as well. There will be some special paving bricks with inscriptions honoring Dad when this project is finally completed. Photos of those pavers will, in time, be added to this memorial site. This cemetery is situated where the wild birds, coyotes, and other critters will roam free for many years to come--much like South Dakota, where Dad first hailed. Rest in Peace Dad.