Yes, WIlliam Ernshaw, Ginger, Samantha Monroe, Richard Bradbury and Patrick Bush.
The church was packed with Wesley's family and friends.
I did not realize how well the Fagers are known and how much of a history the family had in the Virginia area until the day of the funeral.
Patrick and I had arrived at the wake the night before and had the pleasure of meeting Wesley's family and friends. The wake was held from 7 - 9 pm but none of us wanted to leave Wesley.
Finally it got quite late and the funeral home said its time to go, you will all need your rest for the funeral the next day.
The funeral was held in Chesapeake VA at the church the Fagers attended for many years.
The church building alone is more than 100 years old.
On our way to the funeral I told Patrick my nerves are shot, we need to stop and get something to drink before the funeral.
Patrick agreed.
So when we got into Chesapeake we agreed to stop at the first place we saw.
So as we were driving along I thought I saw a sign out of the corner of my eye that said "Lounge". So we turned around and parked right in front of the building.
The whole block looked a little bit run down and that everything was out of business. So I tried the door and it opened to my surprise and Patrick and I went in.
Patrick and I were both dressed in suit and tie, this to say was a little out of place for this Lounge.
I asked the lady behind the counter, "mam are you open?" She said, "son turn around and look at that sign." It said "open" and was mostly covered up on the outside of the building, so I had not seen it clearly.
She said show me some ID's. So we did and we sat down.
Their was an older fellow sitting at the end of the bar and we starting talking with him and his name was Ray and he was 88 years old and had been in World War II, served under Patton.
So as we broke the ice shall we say, we started speaking to the lady tending bar, her name is Shirley. They were wondering who we were.
We told them we had driven up from Tampa for Wesley Fager's funeral and to be with his family. She said, "Fager"?
We said, "yes mam."
She went on to say we all know the Fager's here. They are very much loved. Ray the fellow who we had spoke with intially lives right accross the street from the church and knew them as well.
Patrick and I were shocked. What were the odds of us stopping more than 800 miles from home and walking in someplace for a drink and everyone knew and loved the Fagers.
Patrick and I arrived at the funeral at about 1:40 pm and meet Samantha, Ginger and Bill at the church.
Several hours before I had received an email from Maia Szalavitz. She had written an obit for Wesley which she has posted to this site.
I had no way to print it from my phone, so I called the church on our way there and ask the Rev for his email address and sent it to him and asked if he could print it.
As we walked into the church the Rev handed me the document as I was blessed with the honor to speak at the funeral.
Wesley's funeral lasted about 2 hours.
Wesley's coffin was covered in a US Flag as Wesley received a military burial as he served his country with honor.
The Rev spoke, one of Wesley's brothers spoke, then I spoke.
I spoke of Wesley's service to his community. I also read the obit Maia Szalavitz had written and I closed with what Wesley would always tell me on the phone prior the end of our many conversations.
We have pictures, video and the program of the service.
The family needs their personal time now to grieve for their loss.
This is a large loving family. It was an honor and privilege to be invited to the wake, the funeral and the have the opportunity to speak about Wesley's many accomplishments.
At some point I will check with the family and see if it is ok to post the pictures, video and program.
Wesley was buried not far from the church on a small hilltop in Chesapeake VA.
The family was presented the US Flag which covered his coffin.
Wesley Fager hero to his country, loving father, grandfather, brother, friend and community servant.