Uncle Harry...

I hope all are having a wonderful Christmas Season.
On December 20, 2008, my Great Uncle (my Grandfather's brother) Harry died. We went to his funeral today. Going through the motions of the Funeral Mass then the Military burial reminded me of my Grandfather Raymond Garner, Sr. Pop, as we called him, was a kind a gentle man, much like Uncle Harry. As I heard some of the stories today and yesterday, I could not help but think about the fact that Harry & Ray were two men I would like to emulate. It was mentioned during Uncle Harry's funeral that he never complained. No matter what the case, he never complained. I remember this about him. That is something I also remember about Pop. If you care to read it, his obituary is posted below. One thing I did not know, but learned throughout the past few days, he was a D-day veteran. Wow...What a great life this 90 year old man lived.

Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Harry A. ‘Hap’ Garner, 90, of Owings Mills

Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Harry A. “Hap” Garner, 90, of Owings Mills, died Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, at Dove House in Westminster.

Born Aug. 3, 1918, in Baltimore, he was the son of the late William Raymond and Carrie Mae Lamp Garner. He was the husband of Lorna E. Ayre Garner, his wife of 58 years.

He was a retired command sergeant major with the Army and Maryland National Guard, with 36 years of service. He was activated with Company B, 104th edical BN, 29th Infantry Division and landed as part of the D- Day Invasion. He re-enlisted with the Maryland National Guard, where he continued to serve until his retirement in 1978. His military awards and decorations included the Legion of Merit, Bronze Stars and Arrow Head, Purple Heart, European Middle Eastern Campaign with four Battles, World War II Victory Medal, Army Commendation Medal, State of Maryland Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Cross, National Defense Medal, Combat Medical Badge and the Governor’s Certificate of Distinguished Citizen.

He was a member of the American Legion, 29th Division, Association, 29th Vet Corps and the Veterens of Foreign War. He was also a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glyndon.

He was an Orioles fan, an avid card player and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are a son, Steven F. Garner, of Owings Mills; daughters and son-in-law Lorna M. and Vincent J. Cerniglia, of Hampstead, and Retired Chief Warrant Officer 2 Patricia A. Garner, of Hampstead; a sister, Hilda Homerighausen, of Fredericksburg, Va.; and grandchildren Angela Gottesfeld and husband Dave, Anthony and Dominic Cerniglia, and Nicholas Framarini.

He was predeceased by four brothers and one sister.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Glyndon, 65 Sacred Heart Lane, Glyndon, with the Rev. Sylvester Kim, officiating. Interment, with military honors, will be in Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery at 1 p.m.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Fletcher Funeral Home, 254 E. Main St., Westminster.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Soldiers and Airmen Emergency Relief Fund, MDNG 5th Regt. Armory, Baltimore, MD 21201 or to Carroll Hospice Dove House, 292 Stoner Ave., Westminster, MD 21157.