My brother's funeral
When we arrived at the church the parking lot was already full of cars and the Patriot Guard was already in position along the road holding their flags in case any protesters showed up. I remember talking to Lorene and Roger who expressed their sadness. I was then talked to by a number of soldiers who began prepping me on the ceremony and the protocol the army follows. A number of soldiers came and shook my hand and expressed how sorry they were with the loss of my brother. I then went inside and met up with the rest of my family as they were greeting the many people that showed for the services. Lt. Col. Reese informed us that we should be stationed outside to watch the removal of the casket from the hearse. He said it was something we'd want to see and remember. We walked back outside and I was impressed at what I saw. There were around 50 soldiers that my brother had served with lined up creating a path for the honor guard and my brother. When the hearse opened, they all saluted. Tears were running down my face. Many of the soldiers had tears.
Once inside we watched a video of David's life, the preacher spoke, and then many of the soldiers spoke. The Lt. Col. spoke and presented us with many tokens of various units. The tokens were in their hands and as they shook our hands they passed the coins off to us. My boys were presented with David's dog tags and coins. My dad and I were presented with knives emblazoned with a remembrance of David. My mother was then presented with a cavalry sword. I was impressed with the emotion they spoke with. Some of the soldiers shook our hands when they were done. The casket was then opened and everyone in the church came forward and many of them shook our hands and/or hugged us. The soldiers then came by and I stood as they walked by to shake hands and hug us. I was presented more coins and listened as soldiers called me their brother since David was their brother. Many soldiers were crying. I then watched as they stood in front of my brothers casket and gave him one final salute. Some knelt and said a prayer. I am so impressed at the professionalism, honor and pride they showed as they paid their last respects through tears.
We were then given a ride to the cemetery in a military vehicle. There were four or five police cars leading the procession followed by several patriot guards riding their motorcycles, with flags. The hearse was next followed by our vehicle. I turned around and saw twenty more patriot guard following us. Cars pulled over to show their respects and I remember a man and his two young boys putting their hands over their hearts as we passed.
We arrived at the cemetery and were ushered down a path lined with American flags. My brother arrived and the honor guard placed him in front of us. The riflemen shot three volleys and then the lone soldier played taps. I again was crying as this song has been played too many times in my family's history. The honor guard then folded the flag and handed it to Sgt. Herman who then handed it to Lt. Col. Reese. He then presented the flag to me and I was to present it to my mother. I turned to give her the flag and broke down. I hugged my mom and we cried for my brother. I stepped back in front of my chair, and on this hot, windless day, a wind blew for a few seconds. It started on the path of flags, blew through the family and I saw the wind rise into the sky and disappear. I'm sure this was my brother's spirit saying goodbye. I have talked to others that saw the wind but did not feel it.
I walked away from this day with an overwhelming sense of pride in my brother, his service and our military. They are a first class operation and first class individuals. It makes me proud to be an American and an Evans.
The song he wrote is on youtube: If you know a top 40 artist that would like to record this you can contact Jeff at this email address. (777jevans@gmail.com)Once inside we watched a video of David's life, the preacher spoke, and then many of the soldiers spoke. The Lt. Col. spoke and presented us with many tokens of various units. The tokens were in their hands and as they shook our hands they passed the coins off to us. My boys were presented with David's dog tags and coins. My dad and I were presented with knives emblazoned with a remembrance of David. My mother was then presented with a cavalry sword. I was impressed with the emotion they spoke with. Some of the soldiers shook our hands when they were done. The casket was then opened and everyone in the church came forward and many of them shook our hands and/or hugged us. The soldiers then came by and I stood as they walked by to shake hands and hug us. I was presented more coins and listened as soldiers called me their brother since David was their brother. Many soldiers were crying. I then watched as they stood in front of my brothers casket and gave him one final salute. Some knelt and said a prayer. I am so impressed at the professionalism, honor and pride they showed as they paid their last respects through tears.
We were then given a ride to the cemetery in a military vehicle. There were four or five police cars leading the procession followed by several patriot guards riding their motorcycles, with flags. The hearse was next followed by our vehicle. I turned around and saw twenty more patriot guard following us. Cars pulled over to show their respects and I remember a man and his two young boys putting their hands over their hearts as we passed.
We arrived at the cemetery and were ushered down a path lined with American flags. My brother arrived and the honor guard placed him in front of us. The riflemen shot three volleys and then the lone soldier played taps. I again was crying as this song has been played too many times in my family's history. The honor guard then folded the flag and handed it to Sgt. Herman who then handed it to Lt. Col. Reese. He then presented the flag to me and I was to present it to my mother. I turned to give her the flag and broke down. I hugged my mom and we cried for my brother. I stepped back in front of my chair, and on this hot, windless day, a wind blew for a few seconds. It started on the path of flags, blew through the family and I saw the wind rise into the sky and disappear. I'm sure this was my brother's spirit saying goodbye. I have talked to others that saw the wind but did not feel it.
I walked away from this day with an overwhelming sense of pride in my brother, his service and our military. They are a first class operation and first class individuals. It makes me proud to be an American and an Evans.
Say Hi To Dad For Me
After the loss of my brother last summer, I wrote a song about my brother, my dad, and my uncle. My brother was a veteran of the war in Iraq who was injured there and suffered terrible wounds. I lost both my dad and uncle in the Vietnam War. As my brother was being buried next to my dad and my uncle, the last thing I said to him was "Say Hi To Dad For Me".
I mentioned this song I had written to a retired Nashville music producer, who I met about 3 years ago. He is also a decorated combat veteran from the Vietnam War. The bond we share is one of being the son of a soldier killed in Vietnam and a veteran who fought for our country. LT Bobby Ross liked the hook "Say Hi To Dad For Me" and we became co-writers on this song. Through his patience, teaching, and incredible talent, we came up with a song about the loss of loved ones and the plight of families who have members that serve in the armed forces. It is also a tribute to my brother and my dad and my uncle. LT Bobby Ross and I have sent over 2,000 emails back and forth writing this song that has taken 6 months to write. LT Bobby Ross sent it back to Nashville upon completion to be produced by the best and it is now done. We are now trying to get the song cut by a country music recording artist. You can contact me at 777jevans@gmail.com
My stories are about martial arts adventures that are intertwined with paranormal or supernatural events. The following links are to the Kindle version books from the "Dream Walker” series. Our adventurers find themselves on a quest where they are confronted with both conspiracy and mystery. Their challenge is to unite their mind and body skills together utilizing what they have learned in the martial arts with the transcendental power of dream mediation. They attempt to do this while they are trying to make a life for themselves and elude those that seek to use and control them.
Conversations with a Sage (Book 1 of the Dream-Walker)
Conversations with a Sage: This explores Xander Davidson's early encounters with the mysterious fog like Dream Walking martial art sages. He ponders if they are real or if they are only remnants of his dreams. He mainly keeps this secret world to himself as he tries to copes with abuse, growing up without support or guidance and the mystery of his family's past.
Conversations with a Sage: This explores Xander Davidson's early encounters with the mysterious fog like Dream Walking martial art sages. He ponders if they are real or if they are only remnants of his dreams. He mainly keeps this secret world to himself as he tries to copes with abuse, growing up without support or guidance and the mystery of his family's past.
Xander and the Assassins Gift (Book 2 of the Dream-Walker)
The Assassins Gift: Xander Davidson struggles with the conspiracy of his family and the group that is actively trying to manipulate him to join them or die. The young Dream Walkers learns an early lesson to be careful about whom they let into their circle.
Warriors of Perception (Book 3 of the Dream-Walker)
Warriors of Perception: Xander Davidson and his band of friends embark on a mission to free themselves from their oppressors. They bravely face the challenge all the while vying for the right moment to turn the tables.
The Assassins Gift: Xander Davidson struggles with the conspiracy of his family and the group that is actively trying to manipulate him to join them or die. The young Dream Walkers learns an early lesson to be careful about whom they let into their circle.
Warriors of Perception (Book 3 of the Dream-Walker)
Warriors of Perception: Xander Davidson and his band of friends embark on a mission to free themselves from their oppressors. They bravely face the challenge all the while vying for the right moment to turn the tables.
Jace Lee The Shift (Book 4 of the Dream-Walker)
Jace Lee The Shift: We find a new apprentice, Adam, that is fighting for his life. He is struggling to understand the amazing skills of his mentor, Jace Lee; a younger man that has trained under Xander Davidson. All the while his mentor attempts to reconcile the fact that his skills do not match up with the other Dream Walkers.
Jace Lee No Agenda (Dream Walker Book 5)
Jace Lee No Agenda: Jace Lee attempts to find himself on a self-imposed vision quest of sorts. Instead he finds himself being stalked by the same group that had previously sought after his teacher, (Xander Davidson). Instead of mastering his odd Dream Walking skills he finds love and the potential loss of his powers.
Jace Lee The Tutelage of Ming Wu: Jace Lee rejoins his teacher Xander Davidson as they cope with a possible combined threat (the mysterious), Ming Wu and the Council that has continuously monitored the Dream Walkers.
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