Organized Chaos

My friend, Sherry, was also a close friend to Carrie Pedersen and was able to attend the funeral service at the Academy. After she made a comment on my blog about the service itself I asked her if she wanted to share anything about the ceremony for anyone that had wanted to attend but was unable:



The service was beautiful and well done. If any of you have had the misfortune to attend a funeral at the Air Force Academy, it is always impressive and classy. Despite the bitter cold, snow and wind, there were soooo many people there. The Cadet Chapel was full and one friend of mine estimated 1,000 people in attendance. This is just a true reflection of the number of people’s lives that Carrie and Lucas touched in their short time here on earth. Some of her friends traveled from as far away as Europe to attend the ceremony.

The current women’s basketball team were pallbearers for Carrie and four ladies who had helped out by watching Lucas did the same for him. Watching the family follow them into the chapel was very emotional. It was hard to see a family of four split in half.

The service consisted of four speakers – Carrie’s Uncle, a family friend, the minister from Carrie’s parent’s local church, and a friend of Carrie’s from high school. They all spoke of the love Carrie had for life and people, how genuine Carrie was to EVERYONE and her kindness and giving of gifts and of herself. There were words of Lucas’s mischievous side and how he was an all American boy. Intermixed in the speakers were a few songs – Jesus Loves Me –requested by Jim for Lucas because Carrie always sang that to the children and then two other hymns.

When the chapel service was over it moved to the cemetery. The Association of Graduates has built a beautiful memorial pavilion at the academy cemetery for days like that day that are too cold to do a graveside service. It is a wonderful building with two all glass walls that look out to the cemetery so you feel like you are doing a graveside service. Carrie was given a full military service. The ceremonial part of a military service is so amazing. The honor guard folded the flag and then it was presented, along with her medals, to Jim and Ashley followed by a presentation of a flag, that had been flown over the cadet area, to Carrie’s parents. Then there was the twenty-one gun salute followed by the playing of taps.

The athletic department put on a reception for everyone where people were able to come and talk about Carrie and Lucas and truly celebrate their lives. It was an emotional day full of sad and happy tears as everyone spoke of different memories they have of Carrie and Lucas. Jim, Ashley, and family did a wonderful job, I know that Carrie was proud of them.