Here are the thoughts of another great industry founder, ISSFA Hall of Fame inductee and industry champion; written immediately after the funeral.

Today, was Don Slocum's funeral at Arlington Cemetery.
I think I was the only person there representing our industry.
To tell you the truth, it made me feel sad. A trifle disgusted.

Mrs. Slocum was lovely, was very happy to meet me and I think really
appreciated that I came - all by myself. She knew all about me, that I was no longer with the magazine and she appreciated the piece on the Surface Fabrication Magazine website about her husband.

Today, was a beautiful day at Arlington Cemetery. The flowering trees were in full bloom. The fog finally lifted and the sun was shinning.
The grass was fresh cut, bright green and nicely manicured,
The rows and rows of headstones, each one perfectly placed, went on forever, and it is truly an awesome sight.

First, we gathered in the Administration Building, and then we lined up in our cars and traveled to somewhere deep into the cemetery where there was a caisson waiting, and a 20+ piece army brass band.

After we all got there, the casket was carried onto the caisson, and we followed the procession into another part of the cemetery. There, the band played some nice songs - one of his favorites – making it a wonderfully solemn and honorable moment in time.

Then came taps, the 21 gun salute and a little blessing by a priest. He was a very important American to deserve such tribute and respect, I thought.

Next, was the folding of the flag that draped the casket and its delivery on behalf of a grateful nation to his wife, Barbara. Then, it was over.

The solemnity of the ceremony was stunning and beautiful. Everyone had tears in their eyes.

Afterwards, we were all invited to lunch at the Officer's Club at Ft. Myers, adjacent to the cemetery. I was lucky enough to sit at the table that had Don's baseball buddies (he won “Olympic Gold” in the Senior Olympics, not too long ago). They spoke very highly of him - he was definitely a great guy.

He will be missed.

Joanna Duggan
ISSFA Founder, Lifetime Member and Hall of Fame Member
Surface Fabrication Magazine Founder & Publisher – Retired.
702-525-6486 or joanna.duggan25@gmail.com