By Aleta “Cookie” Scharwath, Garyville

DEAR EDITOR: The family of Herbert Frank Scharwath wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the Garyville Volunteer Fire Department. Their dedication to his memory was beyond all calls to duty. Never in our wildest imaginations did we expect the honor bestowed upon him as a Life Member.

Every effort of funeral protocol for a deceased fire chief was extended. From the lowering of the flags at half-mast, to the wearing of a black armband by each fireman participating to the draping of all the lights in black on the main fire trucks involved.

During the wake which was held at St. Hubert Church in Garyville, honor guards were placed at Dad’s side and changed every 30 minutes. As the flags unfurled in the breeze on the altar, the Fire Chief’s Prayer was read by one of its oldest members.

Following the mass, his coffin was laid atop the fire truck that he helped to purchase back in 1964. The funeral procession was led by the present fire chief, Faron “Slim” Duhe. Following behind his unit was the fire truck carrying Dad. We followed, and behind us were fire trucks after fire trucks from all over the local parishes that had come to honor their deceased comrade.

As the fire truck carrying Dad approached Godchaux-Henderson, it slowed and the fire siren blew one last time, in memory of all the years Dad spent working in Reserve at Godchaux-Henderson.

The procession continued to St. Peter Cemetery in Reserve. At the entrance to the cemetery, two ladders were placed ladder to ladder and extending upward with the American flag hanging down between them. At this point, the fire truck stopped, and all the firemen joined together to form a procession behind the fire truck transporting Dad. These firemen carried all the tools and the fire bell of their trade. Slowly, we continued into the cemetery, until we reached the mausoleum where Dad would be laid to rest.

His coffin was gently removed from the fire truck to the soulful sound of “Taps” being played on the bagpipes. As he was put into his final resting place by the firemen who loved and respected him, the melody of “Amazing Grace” could be heard in the background.

The Garyville VFD honored our Dad for all the years of dedication he had given, not only to his community but also as a founding member of the Garyville VFD and their fire chief for 17 years.

We will treasure forever the honor and pride we felt that day, and we also know deep within our hearts that Dad was asking God to bless his family and the men he trained as best he could.