Farewell to a friend, Butch Bochette
by Marvin Davis
7/9/2009

I had the high honor and privilege to be a part of the funeral and celebration of a close friend's life and passing this past Friday, August 7, 2009.

He was a decorated Vietnam Veteran and an officer in our local car club. I also had the privilege to have worked in the same dept with him at Honeywell for well over twenty years. Butch, as we called him, was a Electrical Licensed contractor for our electrical construction work and an able Industrial Electrician as well.

Within the past six months he had been diagnosed with cancer and it was in the advanced stages. In less than six months, he lost his painful battle with cancer but never stopped smiling and never ever complained. He had something inside him that was unique you know, something that you just could not really put your finger on.

As I was running late to the small country church on a rural North Carolina farm road, I noted that I would probably see a few people that I had not seen in many years and what was going to happen during the service, etc. etc., and I noted my speedometer (I was speeding +15 over limit) and I thought that I better slow down some, as I was already running late to meet the other pall bearers, but I didn't need to have a ticket going to my friends funeral (I was in the Challenger). I had no longer slowed down to speed when a NC State Trooper came by me and pulled the car over about 50 yds. directly ahead of me. You already know what was going through my mind then.

I went ahead and turned to go five more miles to the small country church. As soon as I got there, I was rushed in and setup with the other 5 pall bearers and the funeral director to get lapel flower and our instructions. The US ARMY HONOR GUARD had arrived and placed the American Flag on the coffin and were standing by at attention. These young soldiers and gentleman were very impressive and most professional.

During the service the Minister revealed some things to us, his friend and co-workers that we had not known, or knew very little about. Butch was one who did not ring his own bell, he did not call attention to himself, he was one who asked, "what can I do to help", and by heaven he found a way to do just that. He was in every way a meek and mild mannered person and you just would not notice him. He did not stand out in the crowd. He was just another one of the guys....

The Minister went on to reveal that Butch was a Vietnam Vet, which we all knew, but he revealed that he was the Bronze Star recipient with Valor in Combat and was awarded the Purple Heart and went on to list other commendations he had received while in Vietnam. I was absolutely floored as we as his car club members did not know this. Having know Butch for 20+ I had not known this. He never bragged or spoke of it and later at the reception it was revealed that he was in fact a war hero who sacrificed himself for others.

As we moved to the grave site, and the pall bears lined up by twos near the casket, the US ARMY Honor Guard proceeded to begin the burial ceremony. It was hot. It was hot in the black suit I had on and the air was very humid and I felt kinda sick. I thought to myself, man is it HOT and I hope that I would not throw up, pass out or get sick or something but I had no sooner thought those thoughts when the sun went behind a cloud and it immediately cooled, then a soft breeze brew across the crowd and you could hear the breath of relief and then it started....

One of the Honor Guard had walked away from us carrying a black case.

He walked about 25 yards away down a slow sloping hill that faced a lower hollow of trees, and on one side of the graveyard was a small pasture with about 20-30 cows grazing contently away. Their heads down to the grass and they were munching away contently. Then it started...

It was soft at first and then became louder. The sound of Taps. It sounded very distant at first and then as it became louder I noticed something very unusual, the sound was going down the bottom area below the graveyard and coming back up to us standing there with a pronounced echo.

I have never ever heard a sound like that before. Everyone at the gravesite was mesmerized.

The cows who were grazing away all stopped in unison. They raised their heads up high and froze still and their tails even stopped moving. For the rest of the Taps wondrous sound they never moved. When the last note echoed back up to where we were standing, I noted that I had a huge hard knot in my throat and I could barely breathe and water was bouncing off of my suit lapels. I had tears flowing and I did not even realize it. I quickly tried to wipe my eyes dry, but it was not going well as now my hands were wet.

I did not look around but, I could hear a lot of sobbing sounds.

As the Soldier returned and met with his counterpart , the folding of the flag began and this was amazing to watch as well. The precision and the care was immaculate.

In short here, the Army Honor Guard and what they did at the burial was very special indeed. I have the highest respect for these young men who volunteer and train to do this difficult task. They are indeed special.

To my passing friend and car club member, all I can say is that I really thought I knew you but alas, I did not fully know you and that was my failing. All I can say now it that the empty place in my heart that I have for lost family and close friends has now grown much larger at your absence.

I hope that indeed you have received the peace that you have so richly deserved.

Note:
Butch built this car in a shed, with a dirt floor, from total scrap metal and junk parts and fought the State of NC for a year to get it titled and licensed.

You had to have seen it to believe it.

This is a shot from our 2007 Spring Fling car show and Butch is in the green shirt (left) and I am in the center with the Borla black ball cap.