Shadows lost his gallant fight with cancer
on Jan. 19, 2005. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery
with full military honors on March 3, 2005
He left behind, his wife, children,
and a globe full of friends he reached out, touched and forever
changed them. He called A True Rose his home those last few
months, coming into channel to just sit and be with friends.
He was so loved by us here at ATR, we were honored he called
ATR his home. Shadows was caring, giving, always asking about
others, and always showing his fighting spirit. He loved Eastern
Philosophy, the study of the galaxy, the Mars expeditions, and
Japanese ceremonial swords. He was intelligent and challenged
all he touched to think and to grow. He taught us not to be
afraid to reach for the stars, to dream and most of all to believe
in ourselves.
His death has caused a hole that will
never be filled, his place insured in our hearts. His last visit
to ATR was on December 23, 2004. He wanted to wish everyone
a joyous holiday season, and for us to be with those we loved
and those that loved us. He laughed about being ready for the
holidays and then he said to all of us, have a great New Year.
He left that night with the same words he said many times, “As
it began, so it ends, Ciao”. He faded away that night
determined to show all of us the courage of fighting. He was
honest about what the doctors said, he was a realist, but he
was the persona of courage and honour to all he met and to
all lucky enough to call him friend.
An IRC celebration service of his life
will be held at ATR on irc.bondage.com on April 23, 2005 at
7:00 P. M. CDT. Be sure to go through your logs and bring those
things you want to share with others. We will not mourn, but
celebrate who he was and that now he is traveling through the
universe, able to touch the stars and to see Mars for himself.
He loved Arlington National Cemetery,
as much as he loved his native land of Virginia. Here are a
few sayings from others who have visited Arlington and the words they left
behind:
"War drew us from our homeland in the sunlit springtime of our youth.
Those who did not come back alive remain in perpetual springtime --
forever young -- and a part of them is with us always."
Author Unknown
"Not for fame or reward -
Not for place or for rank -
Not lured by ambition -
Or goaded by necessity -
But in simple -
Obedience to duty -
As they understood it
These men suffered all -
Sacrificed All -
Dared all -
And Died."
-- Dr. Randolph Harrison McKim, who went
from the ranks of the Confederate Army into the Ministry
The thundering line of battle stands,
And in the air death moans and sings;
But Day shall clasp him with strong hands,
And Night shall fold him in soft wings.
-- Julian Grenfell
Killed-In-Action, 1915
The Sentinels Creed
My dedication to this sacred duty is total and wholehearted.
In the responsibility bestowed on me never will I falter.
And with dignity and perseverance my standard will remain perfection.
Through the years of diligence and praise and the discomfort of the elements,
I will walk my tour in humble reverence to the best of my ability.
It is he who commands the respect I protect.
His bravery that made us so proud.
Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day alone in the thoughtful peace of night,
this soldier will in honored glory rest under my eternal vigilance.
The above is the “Sentinels Creed",
Recited daily by those men and women stationed at Arlington, who
with love, respect and above all, with honor, take our loved
ones to their final rest, knowing we are a safer nation, because
they served and gave their best.
And finally a poem from a submissive
that Shadows guided safely into this lifestyle with that special
love and respect that only a Master and submissive can share.
Even through the hurt of the parting, each was a far better person
because of their journey together.
