Today, a flag that flew in Iraq was run up the halyard and then descended back, half-way. The colors fly at half-mast this day at Castle Argghhh!

Carolyn Sue Johnston, wife to my office-mate Keith, died last week after a tough-fought struggle with cancer, and is being laid to rest today in Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery.

It's been a long, hard slog for the family, the echoes of which I heard every day in the phone calls, while Keith fought the docs to get her correctly diagnosed and treated, the fight with disease, and Keith's manful efforts throughout to keep his family on an even keel and Sue's spirits up - and his own spirit strong to be the rock that anchored it all.

One quick way to gauge a person's success in life is not how big the house, how fat the bank book - but rather, how many people show up for the funerary events. Last night I went to the wake at the funeral home. It was packed, with a continual flow for two hours. Sue's was a good life, well lived. Last night her father said to me "She was a stubborn girl, who knew what she wanted, and went for it. She taught me so much. And gave us so many chances to do things we would never have done otherwise. She was a good girl." Indeed.

You did well with all this, Keith. As best you could in trying times. I am so sorry for your loss. Dwell on the future, cherish the past. Your family enfolds you - and your friends have your back.

Carolyn Sue Johnston entered the loving arms of her Savior on 17 May 2008. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on September 25, 1961, she attended McCollum Elementary School, Manzano High School, and Hoffmantown Baptist Church. After a brief attendance at the University of New Mexico, she enlisted in the U.S. Army, attending basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama and advanced individual training at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

She served as a communications specialist for the U.S. Armys 26th Signal Battalion, 93rd Signal Brigade in the Federal Republic of Germany from 1981 to 1983. Upon returning from Germany, she served as a trainer at the U.S. Army Signal Center at Fort Gordon, Georgia. In 1985, she returned to civilian life, devoting herself to her family needs and numerous community volunteer activities. Eventually, her love of military service could not be contained, and she returned to duty as a radioman in the U.S. Naval Reserves. She was assigned to the U.S. Navys Western Pacific Fleet where she saw duty on Guam, Saipan, and surrounding waters.

Continuing to support her husbands military career, she arrived at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1993. Her children attended MacArthur and Bradley Elementary schools and Patton Junior High, where she tirelessly volunteered for many of her childrens school programs and activities. She worked as a library assistant and substitute teacher in the Leavenworth, Lansing, and Platte County school districts. Her teaching and mentoring continued, as she began coaching swimming for the Fort Leavenworth Lancers and several years later, as the assistant swim coach of the Platte County High School mens swim team, where she coached for six years.

She also had a love of photography, and she attended the University of Missouri in Kansas City to pursue that passion. She remained ever active in her faith, as a volunteer at Immaculate Conception Parish and as a Sunday school teacher at the Forts Main Post Chapel. Her zest for life, her sense of humor, and her desire to serve others, left their mark on many people.

She is survived by her husband Keith, son Christopher, daughter Angela, mother and father, Bob and Sharon Benton, and sisters Marsha, Jennifer, and Melodie who all miss her terribly but know she is with her Redeemer.

Memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, May 23, 2008 at the Main Post Chapel, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. She will be interred with military honors at the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society on her behalf that others may live.

Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam, of Carolyn Sue Johnston, soldier, sailor, wife, mother.

-George Santayana

Since Sue ended her military career a sailor - I'll end this post with the Navy Hymn.

If you've spare change you don't know what to do with - make a donation to the American Cancer Society, in Sue's name, that maybe the scourge will be beaten back to a bad memory. That would be a fitting legacy beyond the wonderful family she helped build.