They say that a dog is a man’s best friend, and for Navy SEAL Jon Tumilson, 35, and his beloved and loyal dog Hawkeye, not even death could break this powerful bond.
At Tumilson’s funeral in Rockford on Aug. 19, his beloved canine lay at the foot of the casket throughout the ceremony. Tumilson’s cousin Lisa Pembleton took the heart-wrenching photo of the devoted dog, known to Tumilson’s family and friends as his “son.”
“I took this picture and that was my view throughout the entire funeral. I couldn’t NOT take a picture,” Pembleton said. “It took several attempts since every time I wasn’t crying and could focus on taking it, there was a SEAL at the microphone and I didn’t want to take a picture with them for security and respect reasons. Our family is devastated to say the least.”
Beautiful and heartbreaking…God rest his soul and keep Hawkeye safe with friends.
#1 – ditto. Dogs – and their relationships with humans – are such an amazing part of God’s creation.
Sadly, the photo from the funeral service looks like it is in a gym. While my church meets in a gym, it makes one wonder if the SEAL was a believer and a church member or not….
#2 — Services for a fallen hero are often too well-attended to be housed in a traditional church and must be held at a public venue. However, I’m personally not wondering if the SEAL was a “church member.” He will meet his Creator regardless and the meeting will be momentous.
I hope his canine pal will eventually adjust to life with new people. Dogs are incredible beings, more laudable than many people and definitely kinder and more loyal.
Teatime2, “He will meet his Creator regardless and the meeting will be momentous” is perhaps the loveliest and most hopeful comment I have read on this blog during these wars. Thank you!
# 2 – The school gym is the only place in a little town like Rockford, Iowa, that can hold 1,500 people. The funeral was presided over by the local Methodist pastor and a Navy chaplain. I think it would behoove you to consider Luther’s explanation of the 8th commandment which indicates that we are obliged to not only refrain from bearing false witness against our neighbor, but to defend him, speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything – rather than engage in speculation about his relationship with God based on the mere fact that his funeral was held in a gym.
Truly, dogs are one of God’s greatest gifts to humanity. Their wholehearted devotion to their humans is a wonder and a tonic to the soul.
Thank you for your kind words, CBH.
#5 – your admonission is taken in a spirit of gentle reminder. Please know my post was not a statement of reproach; rather it was a question I was mulling based on the picture. Point taken to keep that mulling private – though that defeats to some degree the function of this blog to enlighten and therefore keeps me (and any others with the same question) without an answer to my (private) questioning.
So many lives have been saved by these creatures of God, including the life of my son, who once told me his companion was more deserving of medals than he. Great care is taken by our armed forces for the well-being of these trusted servants. The most highly trained of these dogs serve at the very tip of the sword in combat, as do their masters. It is highly likely that the dog in this photo will be back in service before long, because so many lives can be saved as a result of his skilled and devoted service. And it is just as likely he himself will pay the ultimate price or be bereaved yet again. Such is the ransom these creatures and their masters willingly pay on our behalf.