Maeve quietly enters the Knight's Chapel and lays a white damask cloth on the altar, places candles on either end and then kneels down to pray. She prays to Jah that he will be with all the knights who will gather here today and she prays for the soul of the departed General Palestine_steel. When her heart is ready and full of the grace of Jah, she walks to the slate board on the front of the door and writes the following:

Memorial Service Today

Join with us today to pay respects and honour to our departed brother and fellow knight, General Palestine_steel.

All Knights, friends and relatives are welcome

Service to be performed by the Chaplain,
mSgt Maeve Irvine

Once she has written in the announcement, she moves into the sacristy to don her robes and prepare the order of service.

(OOC: I will allow time for everyone to RP their arrival before continuing)

Gen Elson enter into the chapel and taken a front roll of seat. Waiting for the ceremony to start.

Maeve nods solemnly to all the Knights gathered for this service. After taking time to pray and to compose herself she faces those present.

"Fellow Knights, brothers-in-arms, we are here today to gather in friendship as a family in sorrow. It is also ours to recall that Jah remembers all that was good in the life of our brother Palestine Steel and to ask Him to prepare him a good reception."

Her broad Scottish brogue is absent, but she cannot disguise the distinctive lilt of her homeland. Solemnly she turns and lights the candles she had set up earlier and then turns back to the knights.

"Friendship is the light of the world, it is the flame which heats our hearts. It now lights the path for Palestine Steel and leads him to the Kingdom of God!"

Maeve then places a small cross on the altar before she continues.

"Palestine Steel, we place this Aristotelian cross on the altar for you. This cross is the sign which connects Aristotle and Christ, and it is a sign of greeting and eternal life for you."

Maeve then places a small basket containing some wrapped parcels at the foot of the altar.

"Palestine Steel, we lay these gifts before the altar as a sign of our friendship, a sign of our prayer, a sign of our heart."

Maeve takes a deep breath, then continues with the service.

"Memorials point out several things to us:
- The memory of an Aristotelian friend who has just left us. Of a man who had a unique history with Jah. Who was surrounded with the tenderness of God. Who made use of this tenderness.
We are here in this chapel, gathered in the memory of Palestine Steel, to be aware of this bond of love, which always linked him to God, which links God with each one of us at all times.
- Death will come for each one of us; for some early, for others later, for some in their youth, for others in their old age.
The Lord warns us: 'Be ready, be always ready because you know neither the day nor the hour'. Aristotle guided us and Christos invites us to follow his example, to find our joy in living for others, to love as they loved us.
Our presence here is prayer. We call upon Aristotle, who measures the sins of our brother, and on Christos, who intercedes for him near the Lord so that he may partake in His Paradise."

She falls silent for a time, head bowed in silent prayer. Then she looks up to the gathered knights.

"Those who wish to may speak."

(OOC: I will allow a couple of days for anyone who wishes to, to speak, then I will conclude the service.)

After allowing a reasonable time for everyone to speak, Maeve concludes the ceremony.

"Before leaving the chapel, we will say a last good bye to our brother General Palestine Steel. With respect and affection, let us entrust him to God in the hope that we will meet again in His presence."

That said, she allows for a a moment of silence before continuing.

"With all those who preceded us, who live already in the presence of the Lord and with the immense procession of the saints, let us wish him a good journey."

She spreads her arms out and blesses them all, "go in peace and serve the Lord."

Then she turns and leaves, not wanting to marr this service with her own illness.

(my apologies for the delay here - I was away)

She slipped in quietly, the service in progress; took a place in the back of the chapel so not to disturb anyone. She had known of this man, but did not know the man himself. Nonetheless, he had been a great contributor to the Knights and she came to pay her respects.

So many good men and women gone, she thought, as she watched those who knew General Palestine_steel well speak of him. When the service concluded, she whispered, "Go in peace", and slipped from the chapel as quietly as she had entered.

As people left, He slipped quietly up to the coffin,
placing his hand upon it, a few quiet personal words.

Well General Steel, no more my friend will i follow
your orders, nor argue long nights re my homeland Judea.

Salem Alichem , my friend, go in peace and find Hashem's
blessings .

Shalom

Mini listens quietly as Maeve gave a moving service in memory of Sir Palestine Steel. After the service, Mini silently walks up to the casket and lays some dogwood flowers for General Palestine.

Proudy enters the room to pay his respects...