28 June 2009

To the Loving Extended Family, Dearest Friends, Marines, Corpsman, Pathfinders, 1st and 2nd Force Recon Marines and Veterans of 3 rd Force Recon Detachment Forward and Company:

Major Capers called and asked me to inform you that the burial service for Dottie and their son, Gary is scheduled for Friday, July 24, 2009 at Arlington National Cemetery. The burial service will be from 1300 to 1330 hrs. 

The Capers' family will accompany the caskets from Jacksonville to the Washington, DC area on Thursday, July 23rd and spend the night at the Quantico Officers Quarters.

Though I do not have specifics yet, family and friends usually arrived at the Chapel/Administration building at least one hour prior to the burial service and are required to drive to the gravesite.

As you know, our Dottie lost her brave fight against cancer on Sunday, June 28, 2009 even with all your prayers, the around the clock presence and love of her daughters, Yoko Burton, JoAnne Cordona, and Dee Ferguson, her grandsons, Andre and Armon Burton and Arabus Cordona, and the most professional care by her physician, Dr. Osunkoya and the superb staff at Onslow Memorial Hospital.

What you may not have known is that Major Capers wanted a family site in Arlington National Cemetery for himself, his Dottie and son, Gary.  With over a hundred burials per week, the average wait time for a site to become available at ANC is three months.  The Capers' dear ‘can do' friends, Joe Rodriguez and Don Guldin made calls, dealt with the details and with the assistance of MajGen Walter Gaskin and the good office of Congressman Walter Jones made it happen.

Of much importance to the Major is that with such short notice for the burial service, he does not want anyone to feel in any way obligated to take leave of work and their family to attend the burial service.  He strongly believes that many of you said your farewells to our Dottie during what some have described as a ‘once in a life time' memorial service “Celebrating the Life of Dorothy Lee Capers” hosted by the congregation and choir of the First Missionary Baptist Church and their most charismatic pastor, the Rev. Dr. James E. Brown.  

On that subject, I have been delinquent in my duties and will send those of you who could not attend either Dottie's viewing – she looked beautiful and at peace, at the Johnson's Funeral Home or the Memorial Service a review of the Order of Service and her Obituary.  

Major Capers wants to convey to each and everyone of you his deepest thanks and gratitude for all your support and the Power of your Prayers for Dottie during those long weeks and most especially to the Gatekeepers – John Borst, ‘Iron Mike' Miszko, Doc Maas and Fei Shia, and James Dixon for their extraordinary efforts and unselfish giving of their time. 

Our Dottie is with their son, Gary in soul and spirit now and next week will be reunited with him in body at Arlington National Cemetery.  Please come and join Major Capers, the Capers' extended ‘rainbow' family as Reverend Brown called us next Friday, July 24 th if you can or are in the Washington area.  More information to follow.

I remain, Semper Fidelis

Ski

NOTAM:     The following are memorial service arrangements for Mrs. Dorothy Capers, beloved wife of Major James Capers (USMC Ret.)

Wake/Viewing:

Thursday 2 July 2009, 1800 - 2000 hrs.
Johnson's Funeral Home
2685 Henderson Dr.
Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 347-2595

Memorial Service:

Friday 3 July 2009 -  1030 hrs.
First Baptist Church                          
153 Broadhurst Rd.                          
Jacksonville, NC 28540                           
(910) 347-4211

The Capers family representatives respectfully request that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Onslow Memorial Hospital , on behalf of Mrs. Dorothy Capers ,  317 Western Blvd , Jacksonville, NC 28541 , (910) 577-2345 ,  for the awesome care provided to Ms. Dottie by the entire hospital staff during her valiant battle with cancer; and especially, for the generosity and professional medical services rendered by Hospital CEO, Mr. Ed Piper, and her attending physician, Dr. Osunkoya.

In closing, Mr. James Dixon, who has spent the last two weeks at the hospital with Dottie and Jim Capers, is in desparate need of getting back home to his family and attend to some personal matters.  He has to leave after the above services.  Therefore, it has been suggested that volunteeers be canvassed who would be willing to assume the on-site gatekeeper duties upon Dixon's departure. 

Kindly send an  e-mail to commchief@forcerecon.com and your information will be forwarded to the coordinating committee. 

May God Bless and keep Mrs. Dorothy Capers in his eternal care.