The funeral services for Omar Salazar

Sunday November ,2010

The funeral services for Omar Salazar

Dan, Kristin, Ruth and I drove to the city of Rosamond. It's just a little north of Lancaster. The day was beautiful, sunny and clear as we arrived at Rosamond High School. We met up with Rosemary, Michael D. and Annemarie, Al, Steve, Bobby, Naji, Henry and Faycal.

Omar was the son of Jorge and Pilar Salazar. Both Jorge and Pilar come to Belmont. Jorge kites and Pilar is an important support person on the beach. She has helped to launch and land, and is an enthusiastic photographer on the beach. She confided that she might want to take up learning to kiteboard. I am sure that she would have a beachful of instructors if she really wants to pick it up again.
During the services many people came to the podium. The speakers included former teachers, coaches, and many friends. They all helped to round out the picture of a young man many of us did not know well, if at all. He was a strong, brave young man who doted on his son and showed a bit of mischief in the twinkle in his eye. I don't know how she did it but Pilar also came up to the podium and talked from the heart. There was not a dry eye in the auditorium.

Thank you to all that contributed towards the flowers. They looked beautiful.

This is a closer shot of the card and picture of Omar and his son Orlando.

After the services everyone waited for the caravan to depart. Omar had to be taken to the funeral home until the final services on Monday in Bakersfield. He was also escorted by a Patriot group of motorcycle riders who headed up the procession. Omar's military connections were evidenced by the marine color guard and the ROTC young men who helped out in the proceedings any way they could.

As the caravan headed for the funeral home in Lancaster, we headed for the Rosamond Elementary School to await the start of the reception when the family returned.

Here's Ruth entering the elementary school cafeteria. She had prepared one of her favorite pasta dishes, a whole turkey and chocolate cookies. Mmmmmm.

It was wonderful that the women that Pilar works with catered and served lunch to all that attended. It's that midwest upbringing coming out in time of need. Then the family presented a video slide show of Omar's life. It was a touching moment and proved that Pilar has been taking pictures for a long time. Omar and his brother Julian were raised with infinite love and patience. The video album gave testimony to the importance of family in their lives and the fun and love that filled it.

After the slide show there was a moment when all of the Belmont kiters grouped around Jorge. We attempted to convey our condolences and feelings of sadness regarding his and Pilar's loss. We had no words to touch their pain, but we had to try to lighten their day, if only for a moment.

Thanks to Ruth she got us to gather for a lighter moment. Jorge seemed very happy to be surrounded by the Belmont gang.

Thanks Annemarie for watching Bebe while Ruth took some pictures.

As we headed home one thing was certain: each moment of every day, count your blessings and tell your loved ones how much they mean to you.

If you would like to read the newspapers account of the accident:
http://blogs.pe.com/news/digest/2010/11/twentynine-palms-marine-dies-w.html