>>On behalf of the Walsh / Tayler families I would like to thank you for
all the wonderful, heartfelt notes we received regarding the recent loss
of my Sister, Gail W. Tayler (Daughter of Major. General L.A.Walsh Jr. /
Daughter of the 517th.). The memorial service this past Saturday was
very nice...comforting to the family, and included a celebration of
Gail's life through stories told by those present - some of whom have
known Gail for most of her life, and a picture board displaying moments
of her life from the time of her birth through the present.

The 517th was represented by Wayne Cross (Son of Tom Cross) and his
lovely wife, Terrie (sp?), and this meant more to me than anyone could
know. Tom Cross recently called Gail the "Daughter of the 517th" - a
descriptive nomenclature very accurate to her life, and her heart, which
speaks volumes to me.

Now all of a sudden I seem to have hit a wall in the process of having
Gail laid to rest, and I have decided to run it by the powers-that-be
here on Mail Call for help and/or advice. Gail's will specifically
requests that she be cremated and buried with our Parents and other
Sister, Sandra, and that her name be cut into the back of the gravestone.
A note accompanying her will indicates she spoke to the Superintendent
there at Arlington, Mr. Metzler (703) 695-3175, and that he ok'd her
request even though she had been married (and divorced ~30 years), and
she was not somehow infirmed. Long story short Mr. Metzler now says
there was no such provision for Gail to be buried with our Parents, nor
could she have her name engraved on the head stone. As administrator of
Gail's will and her Brother - I am rather torn up about this and have yet
to figure out what to do. Part of me riles up inside pondering what our
Father would have done in this case. How can I best serve Gail's wishes,
and maintain the closeness she had with our Parents - this Daughter of
the 517th...? I realize rules are rules, but at the same time I'm
bothered about this discrepancy of understandings between Gail and the
Superintendent there at Arlington. And what to do now...?

I would appreciate any constructive help or advice, especially from
Gail's Father Figures of the 517th...? Thanks in advance for your time
and efforts.

Sincerely,

Trooper (L.A. III) Walsh, Son of Maj. Gen. Louis A. Walsh Jr. - original
Commanding Officer of the 517th