If you were not there, there is no way you can possibly understand the amazing service that was held. I have a few pictures (which might seem morbid..) and the department will have more , that I will try to post later, to help you understand the honor that was bestowed on our very own Hometown Hero.
Through out the wake, a honor corps was posted. Two firefighters, one at head and one at his feet, standing still...head down. They changed guard every 15 minutes. Some of his own volunteer firefighters from Albany served and also many men who never even knew Lynn.
The State Fire Marshall, granted Cheif's request to transport his body on the District 1 fire truck that Lynn often drove. 100's of firemen from across the state of Louisiana came today to pay their respects. Fellow firemen, honor guard and pallbearers including his son Noel, loaded him on to the truck and a procession was led from the chapel to the gravesite.
Over a dozen other fire department trucks and emergency units lead the procession. At the Albany Firestation #1, the Hammond and Livingston District 5 Ladder trucks hung a flag across Hwy 43.
To my surprise I saw hundreads of people on the roadside in this small town. Not pulled over annoyed by the inconvinience of a 1pm parade, but standing, saluting and paying respects to my brother. The entire town has never seen the likes of a funeral procession like the one that was given today. I think that I knew, but I was in no way prepared for it.
Before entering the cemetary, two of the District 1 water takers were parked and sprayed Lynn's final water arch. A wonderful way of paying respect for his passing from one life into another one.
At the graveside, the dispacter achingly made his last call over the radio. With no response from Firefigher #115 and a piercing blare on all of the firemen's radios the dispatcher said "This is the last call for Firefighter 115, Lynn Rachell. He is not to respond to the station again and instead should return home to be with the Lord" (Silence)
The fireman's bell was rung, the corps folded the flag and presented it to my sister in law and they presented my newphew Noel with his helmet.
Ladies and gentlemen, the one thing I can tell you as my heart aches today is that if you do not find something in your life to be passionate about, you're not living. My brother loved three things more than life it self. He loved his family, he loved truck driving and he loved the fire deparment.
In his loving memory, I will challenge myself to live by his example.
