**Click on photo to enlarge**It was a really nice service.
My husband, Mike, and I arrived more than an hour early, knowing how packed it was going to be at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Various branches of Law Enforcement and city employees were seated in the main portion of the church, to the left, while family memberes were seated to the right. Special guests of the family were ushered to an additional room to the right. Law Enforcement spouses and other people were asked to go to a room to the left. For overflow seating, the Law Enforcement gym at the Alexandria Technical College was reserved. The town was dripping with people and symbols of reverence for Pat and the Callaghan family today.
When we arrived, I saw so many familiar faces, right away. To those of you who made the trip back home, I personally was touched ... I can't imagine what Pat's family must be feeling right now, knowing he was so loved.
Pastor Wade Meyer led an excellent service ... he himself getting choked up on three occasions. Lisa Callaghan read a eulogy and a poem she wrote for Pat. Not a dry eye to be found in the place, no doubt.
When the service was over, all officers were asked to head outside first. My husband, who is a Staff Sergeant in the US Army and was stationed at Ft. Myer (Arlington, Virginia) for five years as a member of the Honor Guard, also joined them to assist with paying respect. Even though we were asked to remain in the church, I ran outside after him ... I've always been more of a rule bender, after all ... and I'm so glad I did. Outside, were law enforcement officials from all over the state of Minnesota ... Roseau, Duluth, Grant County, Stevens County, and more ... there were North Ambulance personnel ... DNR officials ... firefighters from Alexandria and Garfield ... State Troopers ... and my soldier husband, all lined up, saluting Pat's casket as it was carried out and placed into the hearse. A lone bagpiper played Amazing Grace, among other traditional songs, as the processional began.
As we walked back to our car, Jeff Callaghan, Pat's father, rolled the window down on the passenger side of the vehicle he was riding in to thank Mike for his service to our country. Jeff had never met Mike before yesterday and I'm certain didn't remember who he was. Proof positive of what a wonderful, selfless family the Callaghans are.
So many squad cars, ambulances, and fire trucks were lined up, ready to lead the staggering amount of cars out of the parking lot. I can't be certain, but I'd guess the line of vehicles was well over three miles long. As we headed down Highway 29, people were pulled over into parking lots, nose to the highway, with their lights on. No one seemed upset ... rather, they were also silently mourning. Turning onto 3rd Avenue, people had gotten out of their cars that were parked in every available street-facing parking lot and were watching the eternal line of cars. In front of Thrifty White Drug (it's no longer in the Viking Plaza Mall, for those of you that haven't been in town in awhile) were two Alex Tech Law Enforcement Program training cars ... lights flashing but silent, while both classes of future police officers and sheriff's deputies stood at perfect attention ... paying tribute to their fallen brother.
It was at that point that we peeled off from the processional, knowing that there would never be enough space for non-essential vehicles at Kinkead Cemetary.
For those of you who weren't there ... know that you were with us in spirit. For those of you in attendance, you know how powerful an afternoon it's been.
Please, JHS Class of 1997, be safe today and always so we can come together in a happier manner in the future. Sending big hugs to you all.
-MBMH
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